Pop/R&B singer Izik began writing songs because he wasn’t hearing his own story in the music he listened to and loved.

Fair enough — his story is an unusual one.

Born Isaac Moreno in Utah, Izik moved to Hawaii and his mother’s home on Molokai when he was 1. He spent his school years going back and forth between Molokai and Oahu.

When he was spending time with his mother and grandmother, they would listen to Willie K, the Ka‘au Crater Boys and traditional Hawaiian music. But when he was alone, he began watching MTV.

“MTV was how I first heard of Mariah Carey. She was the first non-Hawaiian music I would listen to,” he said.

The Carey connection was an important one, as the R&B diva impressed herself upon the budding singer.

By the time Izik was in high school, he was living on Oahu full time, attending Kaiser High School and writing R&B songs in his spare time. After his friends pushed him to try, he began to delve into the possibility of being a performing musician.

One of his first gigs was at a Life Foundation fundraiser, a performance that earned him the attention of the music booker at Hula’s Bar. Shortly thereafter Jenn “J Roc” Wright from the band Simple Souls began to help him land local acoustic gigs.

In 2013 Izik won the Mai Tai Rumble, an annual music contest.

“At first I thought we’d just get in front of as many people as possible and then go get Zippy’s. But then we kept winning every round,” he said.

The soaring notes, big builds and vocal runs of Carey’s vocal style have worked their way into Izik’s style of singing — traits that have strengthened over the years and led to a walloping, lovely vocal delivery. His voice is one of his secret weapons, enhancing his live performances and his new record.

These days, Izik’s calendar is peppered with noteworthy shows.

To mark the May release of his debut album, “Obsidian,” Izik booked performances at Blue Note Hawaii and the Doris Duke Theatre, and in Venice Beach, Calif., as part of Flux Magazine’s Pop Up General Store. Coming up, in addition to his weekly performances, he has a showcase set at Slaaaayfest in Kakaako on Dec. 13 and a return to Blue Note Hawaii planned for Jan. 29 and 30.

The live and recorded music complement each other. Produced by Imua Garza at his studio in Kahala, “Obsidian” is a slick slice of digitally ripe R&B and pop. The songs are solid, and Izik has an undeniably strong and smooth singing voice. But not only strong — he soars, and he lands each note like a pro.

“Obsidian” also hits the mark by nailing strong vocal delivery with digital beats. One of the biggest jewels in the “Obsidian” crown is the beats, because they are unique. Garza built the backing tracks in his studio, straying from the often-used studio method of using beats marketed for mass use.

At its best, “Obsidian” leans toward the territory occupied by Sia: anthemic, with a stellar, emotionally charged vocal in an innovative, effortlessly catchy digital landscape.

Standout tracks include the song “Rocks,” which pulsates with a tribal beat and an ’80s-tinged vibe, and dance floor rager “Lose My Number,” which addresses a relationship that maybe was good in the moment but didn’t last by the light of day.

Though you’ll see him with a guitar at live performances, Izik confides that he’d prefer to put it down. “I hate playing guitar,” he said laughing. “I’m grateful that I can play, but I would rather just sing.”

Izik cites Sam Smith, Solange and indie artist FKA Twigs as artists who influence him. All are known for making compelling pop music and walking their own path. With those kinds of markers and a talent this solid, Izik is one to watch.