Join me as walk you through the journey of one of today’s most  trail-blazing Rwandan-born but NYC-based African artist, Iyadede. A musical vessel who’s spirit you can’t help but fall in love with, she shares her life’s journey with us.

Jamati: Welcome under the Jamati tree and thank you for gracing us with your presence.

It feels great under this tree and I’m glad to be your guest.

Jamati: It is my understanding that your musical journey or your journey as an artist began way before mother earth could claim you as her own. Enlighten us?

(Laughs) I always wondered how come I started singing and loving all aspects of art, considering that I had no musiciand in my family and that music is not necessarily the choice career in Africa. So why, oh why, did I choose this struggle?

Then I realized it fell on me while I was a baby in my mother’s womb. She use to work at a Rwandan radio station during the era of cassette tapes and I guess I was listening all those times. That’s why I was born with melody and music both in my head and heart.

Jamati: As much of a cliche question as this may be, I wouldn’t be doing justice to our readers if I didn’t ask you to briefly define who Iyadede is?

Iyadede is a name very dear to me as it was given to me by my grandmother. It comes from a traditional Rwandan saying that goes like this: “Only Dede can drink from Dede’s baby bottle”. The western equivalent would be “No one can walk in my shoes but me”.  A name is a powerful gift.

Jamati: Please share with us the many elements of your artistry and the kind of relationship you have with music?

Really music is a part of my everyday life, not just the music on the radio or on my iPod, but the sounds and noises of  life, whether you are walking  in the streets, or take the subway. You hear workers banging on steel in the background, a motor cycle passing near by, and the sounds of people conversing. This is how I make my melodies–I just hear them and I usually hear the words that go with them.

As for my relationship with music, I would like to think that I’m not the writer of my songs. Not to sound crazy or pretentious, but it really comes to me and I deliver it, whatever it is. I trust that music is the language  of God. I have a sacred and spiritual relation with sound.

I don’t sit around thinking of  writing a hit song. I live my life and most times, at the right time, the right moment, a song is given to me. I’m very thankful and grateful when at the times I feel like there is nothing left in my hands, music is always there–it is very empowering.

Jamati: “Talking to God“!  Takes us through the makings of it. Are there any surprises on the album? Any collaborations? Is the album going to be the same sound that you are known for? And when should it be expected for release?

It was very spontaneous–almost accidental. I really didn’t sit and decide to make an album but the whole journey took place through a series of coincidences, after I came to NYC. First I met a friend who later introduced me to another friend who happened to be a very talented producer. Then at a concert where I was one of the back up singers for the legendary Zap Mama, I happened to cross paths with another friend of a friend who was also a talented producer.

Everything was natural and spontaneous and definitely orchestrated by a powerful hand. And this is why I wanted to call the album ‘Talking to God’. Please make no mistake, the album is not about a holy man with a long beard, but about the journey we go through while learning to surrender to our emotions, to people and ourselves. After all, the sum of all our energies is who God is.

On this album I worked with New Orleans born Blessoil, he produced ‘Post Punkish’, a track with hip-hop undertones like Brimestone and Fire, and straight electro-pop like Love Robot. I also worked with Washington born and raised but Nigerian rooted music producer, Aduqudus who produces intimate tracks like ‘Aquarius, which is an old-school rock-grunge ballad and ‘In My Darkest Hours’, a trance inducing electronic/soulful track with a touch of Rwandan traditional drumming. Also on the album I collaborated with Belgian-based artist, Czameki, and Williamsburg-based artist, Prince Polo.

Jamati: Can  you remember the first song you’d ever written and the first record you’d ever bought?

Hmmmm, I’m thinking…………The first record I owned was a recorded cassette tape, consisting of artists like Vaya Con Dios, a great ground from late 80′’s early 90’s who did a blend of Jazz and Spanish soul and lastly there was Rwandan singer, Cecile Kayirebwa, who happens to be one of my favorite artists.

Jamati: As deeply emerging as you are into the bigger musical stadium, people don’t know that you’ve actually been around for some time and in the process you’ve performed with Zap Mama. What beneficial lessons have you learnt from those experiences that have become great help in branding yourself?

I learned that to bring a project together you must gather your faith and positive energy and share it with your musicians and everyone you collaborate with. I also learned that as a female artist I should know what I want and how to express it because it’s tough being a woman and a leader. Faith is contagious.

Jamati: Iyadede and the legendary hip-hop group ‘The Roots’, what was that experience like?

It was surreal. I went from being a fan to being invited to sing on stage backed up by Questlove. That’s major, although I wasn’t sure how the hip-hop crowd would respond to an African girl jumping on stage in a baby-blue puffy prom dress but, thank God, the  response was enthusiastic and ecstatic for me.

Jamati: How has music helped you live a full life? Do you feel like music has helped you define your purpose?

Completely. It’s only the beginning, but music and art in general, definitely made me aware of my energy and power, and the ability to use them in a positive way in the world. Like I said before, when it feels like there is nothing left in my hands, music is always there and, for me, that is empowering.

Jamati: The first time I meet you one thing  that spoke for itself about you was your fashion sense. Whats the inspiration behind it?

(Laughs) Indeed I have my own style.

Growing up in Rwanda and later residing in Europe, and being 5′11, I had to learn how to dress myself according to my feelings and not according to what is supposed to be in at that time because  most of it was not intended for tall girls with nappy hair. With that said, my inspiration actually comes from movies, specific era’s in life, and people in general. Mostly though, I’m very inspired by the traditional image of natural African woman.

Jamati: Lets talk about the string of artists that have paved the way for your artistry?

Prince, Bjork, Abba, The Bee Gees, Queen Shuggie Otis, Grace Jones, Nina Simone, Michael Jackson, Sarah Vaughan, Zap Mama. All these people were just helplessly artist totheir core.

Jamati: Through growth and change we’ve seen African artists like Akon and K’Naan break through the US music industry in a big way. What do you think it takes to reach the level that they have reached?

Sincerity, pride, drive, respect for your identity and, of course, a lot of hard work and help from the people who are rooting for and believe in you.

Jamati: When all is said and done and you are alone in your own space , what does Iyadede love to do?

(Laughs) I write a lot. I am training myself to write because I have behind me a few people whose stories need to be told. I have a blog which I don’t advertise much, I like the idea of being found randomly by people browsing the net. I shoot little videos that can be viewed on YouTube and I call those videos ‘Ceremonie’, the silent displays of my moods and emotions.

I love to work out and I must say that im addicted to it. It’s important for me to keep me and my body healthy. Lastly I have to add that I daydream a whole lot a and that is true luxury. I hang out with great artists and thinkers and I ask a lot of questions. I read and meditate too.

Jamati: What fuel’s you when things seem to be out of  balance?

My friends. I’m blessed to have a few people around me with great wisdom and life philosophies They remind me every time I forget how blessed I am, and, most importantly, my imagination fuel’s me, my family that I lost in the war fuel me. I feel them constantly pushing and rooting for me. I always feel like they died so unfairly therefore I must live with everything.

Jamati: Are there any future projects we should look out for or anything you would love to share with the Jamati family?

I have a dream to one day own my own organic farm on my grandmother’s land, my mother started this and I definitely hope I can make it grow into something bigger.

Africa is about to enter a new era of change and growth. We should not make the same mistakes other continents have made but we should create new history according to a new philosophy, that is respectful of the environment and encourage organic farming.

And of course I have plenty of projects connected to art, after all art is a major part of me and when those project take place, you will know.

Jamati: What has been your most profound quote in life?

The one that I’m thinking of right now is that, “The only thing permanent in life is change”.

Jamati: Blessings be upon you as you hustle your way forward and write your own history. We are behind you, chanting your name and celebrating your artistry. Again thank you for sharing!

Thank you Jamati Online, this is home to me and I must make sure to come visit often. I must say I enjoyed  conversing with you and answering the questions. I can tell that you really understood me and you showed genuine interest. I respect and appreciate that.

For more on Iyadede and her artistry , you can log on to  my website, or log on to the click below, and please don’t forget to share your views…….

Iyadede Live