Sabrina Iyadede, Ladybrille Magazine Woman of the Month
It is not uncommon for someone who has experienced or witnessed so much tragedy to be bitter or angry.In fact, it is expected. What is unexpected, however, is when a person emerges from such history but instead chooses to be bold, happy and strong, blessing thousands with music and inspiring lyrics. Singer, songwriter and performer Iyadede Sabrina is one such example. Iyadede was born and raised in Rwanda until the genocide forced her and her family to relocate to Belgium. However, the memories of the Rwanda genocide has not stopped her from living life to the fullest. In fact, she doesn’t dwell in the past choosing to focus on the future by spreading beautiful, funky, soul and fun music to her fans and music lovers, worldwide. Iyadede has traveled the world singing back up vocals for various artists including the Belgian music group Zap mama.
After doing my “Iyadede research ” (as I prepared for this interview) I have become a fan of the fresh 80′s vibe that her music exudes. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with and once you hear her music, I am sure you will be a fan as well! With her must listen to songs like “Brimstone and Fire” & “Emergency,” without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce to you our Ladybrille Woman of the Month, Sabrina Iyadede!
LADYBRILLEmag.com: How did “Iyadede” begin in the music industry?
Iyadede: I started in Belgium on several Projects. One of them being a jazz/ trip hop group named Red Avenue, formed by Me and a Russian Dj/ trumpet player. We released an album on Bonzai Record, named “Breathing.” I also did back vocals for a lot of great artists worldwide, including Zap Mama.
LADYBRILLEmag.com: What were some of the obstacles you faced upon getting your feet planted in the music industry and how did you overcome them?
Iyadede: I think the main obstacle is one’s mind. As a young black african woman, it is easy to tell yourself that ” it is impossible.” I don’t think I overcame all obstacles yet as there is more to come but I have definitely set my mind to doing what pleases me and to live life to the fullest. . . I think it is a must considering where I come from. (smiles)
LADYBRILLEmag.com: Being that there are so many untapped styles of music, what do you feel you contribute to the music world?
Iyadede: I was born in Africa (Rwanda), raised in Europe. I lived in America and I have traveled a whole lot in between from Sweden to Israel. I think I render that very well in my music. . . I have absolutely no boundaries and I m not trying to fit in any genre. It is also a metaphor of how I live my life and how I think the world should be. My sound is fun, yet speaks about interesting subjects like colonization, or politics (I am very sleek about it). I can make people dance while giving them something to think about. I hope I am a modern image of the young African woman too.
LADYBRILLEmag.com: What messages do you want to pass through your music?
Iyadede: It is hard to put it in a few words. I haven’t traveled the whole journey yet. But for now. . . “just do you” (laughs)
LADYBRILLEmag.com: How do you get into a creative zone or what inspires you and why?
Iyadede: I have a very honest way of writing my songs, I like them to be like pictures of one particular moment. So I usually write and record the same day. . . I hear the melodies, and the lyrics naturally come to me . . . It’s always about a subject that was on my mind for the past days or weeks, but the song usually materialize at once. It ‘s really. . .magic. . .In about (twenty) 20 minutes I hear the song, melody, lyrics everything. Later on I listen to the recording and see what it does to me. . . if I like it, I keep it. If not, it joins the long list of songs of mine no one has heard yet. . . We’ll see what I will do with them down the line. . . The creative process is my favorite part. I always keep it truthful, spontaneous and powerful.
LADYBRILLEmag.com: (Speaking of truthful, spontaneous and powerful) are there any other art forms that you use to express yourself?
Iyadede: I shoot and edit videos, they are mood videos, no subject in particular, but a feeling. I call them ceremonies. I draw. . . nothing exposed yet but may be one day.
LADYBRILLEmag.com: What should (we) expect to see in the near future from “Iyadede”?
Iyadede: More and more music of course. One of my dream is to record a pop album entirely played by a classical Orchestra. (smiles) Maybe a small artisanal coffee brand, we have planted coffee on my late grandmother ‘s land. . . and eventually a story I would love to turn into a movie. We will see what the future holds for me, or more what I will do in the future, it’s all up to us isn’t?
ROBOT LOVE by Iyadede
loVE RobOT (iyaDedE/Blessoill/Charlemagne graphix) from Iya Dede on Vimeo.
To listen to her music and learn more about her, visit her many sites below:
www.twitter.com/iyadede
www.myspace.com/iyadede
www.iyadede.com
www.youtube.com/siyadede
~Article by Toya Thomas/T.Church
~Photo courtesy Iyadede
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