I met Iyadede outside of SOBs after J Davey had an incredible performance there on steamy summer night in July of 2008. She told me her name was Sabrina and she was from Rwanda via Belgium. I asked her what her Rwandan name was and she said, "Iyadede," and I've refused to call her anything but Iyadede ever since. As our friendship has grown, I've shot a live performance for her and interviewed her for the Caribbean Cultural Center. I knew I wanted to collaborate with her in "Let's Stay Together," and had her come play a young mother with her daughters in the laundry mat. She also sang a version of "Let's Stay Together," that I made into the opening song for the film. It has a real bluesy, ethereal vibe and sets the tone for Parker's search for solutions to the dissolution of family.
here's Iyadede in MTV IGGY:
Rwandan Electopop It Girl Iyadede Falls to Earth