Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole Added Into The Library Of Congress

Legendary Hawaiian musician Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole recognized nationally as his songs, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow & What a Wonderful World” have been added to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. The Library of Congress added that his music is “melancholic and joyous at once” and praised Kamakawiwo‘ole’s vision of “contemporary Hawaiian music that fused reggae, jazz and traditional Hawaiian sound.” The Library of Congress looks to preserve timeless recordings with cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation's heritage. IZ joins other inductees including, Janet Jackson, Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill’s WWII Christmas Eve broadcast, Nas, and Jackson Browne. According to the Mountain Apple Co. record label founder Jon de Mello, “The Hawaiian Superman” IZ recorded “Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World” in a signal take. The official YouTube video for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” now as over one billion views, but even that doesn’t represent the countless people that IZ reached and touched. While IZ passed away before the release of the music video for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow & What a Wonderful World”, his memory and music will live on for generations to come. From the Library of Congress: “ “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”/”What A Wonderful World” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (1993) (single) Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, or “Bruddah Iz” or “Iz” as he was also known to his fans in Hawaii, created this medley of two classic pop standards. But, in it, he stayed true to his vision of creating contemporary Hawaiian music that fused reggae, jazz and traditional Hawaiian sounds. Driven primarily by Iz’s angelic voice and ukulele playing, the song is melancholic and joyous at once. Taken from Iz’s album “Facing Future” — the first Hawaiian album ever certified platinum — this single was an international hit, and it has had a sustained life through its use in motion pictures, television programs and commercials.”