ISAAC HAYES RAPS DRUGS IN COMEBACK

Singer Isaac Hayes’ first record in five years, “Ike’s Rap / Hey Girl,” is a pop anti-drug message.

Given Hayes’ lengthy absence from the recording scene, is it possible that this is yet another story about a performer who fell prey to drugs himself?

After all, Hayes’ image in the early ‘70s was that of the ultimate hipster, the personification of cool: the big, muscular guy with the shaved head, wearing shades, gold chains and no shirt, often flanked by gorgeous women.

But “No,” Hayes says: The image, the record and the hiatus aren’t connected.

“An image is just that--an image,” he explained by phone from his home in Atlanta. “In the entertainment industry, you can’t really tell what someone is like by looking at their image. You’d probably be wrong most of the time.”

In fact, Hayes says, he’s always been wary of drugs.

“Back in the ‘60s I learned about drugs,” he said. “I saw what it did to other entertainers. I’ve worked with musicians who were addicted. We had them on methadone programs. I never wanted to fall into that trap.”

The rap portion of the new record is an intro to Hayes’ reworking of the R&B; oldie “Hey Girl.” In the song, which is part humorous and part ominous, he’s chiding his girlfriend for succumbing to crack. “I wrote the rap myself,” he said. “I wanted to make a statement against drugs.”

Hayes will no doubt be accused of being a copycat. His single is certainly similar to “The Rain,” the Oran (Juice) Jones hit in which the singer berates a woman for cheating on him. Actually, Jones is the copycat. Hayes has been doing rap/monologues since the late ‘60s. Even Barry White, a deep-voiced rapper who was big in the mid-’70s, was influenced by Hayes.

Hayes was also innovative in other areas. His crackling “Shaft” theme helped set the tone for ‘70s instrumentals and contributed to the birth of disco.

However, singing has never been his strength. Hayes’ deep voice doesn’t have much range and registers little emotion. Still, his songs work because of his intriguing vocal presence. Women have always found his voice sexy.

“Vocally I’m not doing anything very different,” he said. “Why change now?”

This is Hayes’ third comeback attempt. He engineered one in 1975 after two hitless years and another in 1980. Both were fairly successful. Judging from the material on his new album, this one should work, too. The new album, titled “U-Turn,” is vintage Hayes dressed up with modern techno-pop touches.

The second comeback was the toughest because he was also coming back from bankruptcy--declared in 1976. Financial mismanagement by those in charge of his money, he charged, led to his ruin. He spent the rest of the ‘70s playing catch-up. A 1980 hit single, “Don’t Let Go”--a disco remake of Roy Hamilton’s ‘50s song--spearheaded a Hayes revival. But by 1981, he was back in oblivion.

The last five years, Hayes said, have been fairly uneventful. “I’ve been living in Atlanta, sort of out of the way,” he said. “I spent a year in London, too. I haven’t been doing that much, just little odds and ends to survive and keep the bills paid.”

Coping with business and personal problems--which he didn’t explain in detail--have kept him busy. “I couldn’t really get into anything creative until those things were cleared up,” he said. “Last year I was finally at a point where I could really concentrate on work again.”

Hayes, 44, hasn’t really changed much. An active bodybuilder, he has maintained his muscular physique. “I’ve always needed physical activity,” he explained. “When some people have problems, they turn to drugs. My outlet has always been physical activity. It makes me feel good.”

Hayes hasn’t performed since doing a show in Spain in 1981, but he expects to go back on the road next year if the album is a hit. “I’ve missed it,” he admitted. “I realize how much when I see other artists perform.”

He also misses the recognition: “I like being recognized. That gets in your blood and doesn’t go away. If you have to go to the supermarket at 3 in the morning because you won’t have to bother with fans looking for autographs, it’s a hassle, but it’s nice. I’d like to have to deal with that again.”

LIVE ACTION: Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and emcee Richard Pryor will participate in a Bradley-for-Governor benefit concert Oct. 27 at the Universal Amphitheatre. Tickets go on sale Sunday. . . . Tickets also go on sale Sunday for New Order’s Nov. 5 date at the Hollywood Palladium, B.B. King’s Nov. 21 stop at the Universal Amphitheatre and Gil Scott-Heron’s Nov. 7 appearance at the Beverly Theatre. . . . .38 Special and Bad Company will be at the Long Beach Arena on Nov. 13. Tickets go on sale Monday. . . . Bunny Wailer will be at the Greek on Nov. 2. . . . Sigue Sigue Sputnik makes its local debut Oct. 27 at the Palace. Also due there: Erasure on Nov. 11. . . . Leon Russell and Edgar Winter will be at the Coach House on Nov. 13 and 14.