About Iyabode
A warm, reflective voice at the intersection of law, music, and words.
Rosaline Iyabode Johnson, known professionally as Iyabode, is a legal practitioner, music industry professional, and writer from Sierra Leone whose work bridges law and creativity.
She earned her LL.B (Hons) and was called to the Sierra Leone Bar in 2024. Through her experience across both the legal and music industries, she has developed a strong interest in intellectual property, contributing to copyright policy discussions and reform initiatives with the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG).
Music & Creative Practice
As co-founder, co-director, and legal lead of Telem Uncommon Sounds (est. 2021), Iyabode has performed both locally and internationally, building a reputation for expressive and culturally grounded artistry.
- Berklee Gnaoua Music Festival (2024)
- David Friend Recital Hall, Berklee — Boston (2024)
- Global Musicians Workshop, Boston — consecutive appearances since 2023
- Zamane Festival — Morocco (2025)
- AFCON stages — Casablanca (2025
- Visa For Music — Rabat (2025)
In 2026, she became the first Sierra Leonean accepted into the Tiwa Savage Berklee Intensive Music Program in Lagos, Nigeria a milestone that further deepened her exposure to global music industry practices.
These experiences have strengthened her advocacy for artists’ rights and informed her work at the intersection of law and creative expression.
Writing & Literary Work
Iyabode is also an active literary voice. In 2019, she co-founded the Salone Literary Club, a platform dedicated to hosting literary events, publishing works, and supporting creative communities.
Her writing spans poetry, essays, and reflective prose. Her work has appeared in newspapers, online forums, and most recently in LET HER BE (2024), an anthology focused on women’s sexual health and rights, where she contributed four poems.
Professional Focus
Iyabode’s career spans legal practice, creative production, writing, policy advocacy, and organizational leadership. Her work is rooted in a commitment to advancing creative expression, strengthening legal frameworks, and supporting artists and the broader cultural landscape in Sierra Leone.
What you’ll find here
- Law with Iyabode — accessible legal insights and commentary
- Writing — essays, poetry, prose, and reflections
- Music — performances, releases, and creative projects
- Merch — curated creative expressions connected to her work