Meet the Breakout Singer Who Steals the Show in Highest 2 Lowest

A fresh Spike Lee production is always cause for joy, and the film Highest 2 Lowest certainly lives up to the high standards it brings with it. This is the fifth project that Lee has worked on with Denzel Washington, and the movie serves as a modern take on the Akira Kurosawa classic High and Low, which was inspired by Evan Hunter’s 1959 novel King’s Ransom. The story revolves around Denzel Washington’s character, music executive David King, whose son is kidnapped together with his best friend. This sets off a desperate struggle for the survival of his family. It promises to be an exciting journey featuring an interesting ensemble cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, former basketball player Rick Fox, and rapper A$AP Rocky.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but appreciate Lee’s unique ability to cultivate fresh, burgeoning talent, whether it’s on the big screen like giving Teyonah Parris her breakthrough role in 2015’s Chi-Raq, or in the classroom as he guides the future generation of filmmakers at NYU. In this project, I saw that talent again when he cast Aiyana-Lee, a promising young British singer, for an indelible part in the movie’s climactic scene.

In the movie titled “Highest 2 Lowest“, a 24-year-old named Aiyana-Lee performs as Sula, a talented musician eager for her chance to shine. She visits King’s apartment to audition for a life-altering opportunity. With just one chance to impress, she does not disappoint. Singing an impressive version of the film’s theme song, “Highest 2 Lowest,” which Aiyana-Lee composed especially for this movie, she showcases her powerful vocals and captivating charm. Her performance is so compelling that it steals the spotlight, quite a feat given she’s performing alongside one of the most renowned actors in history.

We had a conversation with Aiyana-Lee regarding an extraordinary chance to kick off her acting career in a Spike Lee production. She disclosed her background in music and the unanticipated method Lee utilized to approach her, thereby granting her a platform to display both her musical abilities and acting skills within the movie “Highest 2 Lowest”.

TIME: Tell me about your relationship with music. Had you always wanted to be a singer?

From as far back as I can recall, I’ve had a strong desire to become a singer. Music has been an integral part of my upbringing, with my mother [Daciana-Nicole Anderson] being a 17-time platinum selling singer-songwriter. Growing up, our house was always filled with music and recording sessions. I would often try to steal the spotlight during these sessions. By the age of 4 or 5, I was trying to open for her on her European tours. At 5 and 6 years old, I even started performing my own shows, while entering singing and songwriting competitions at the tender age of 7 and 8. In essence, music has always been a significant aspect of my life.

Were there any particular artists that shaped your passion?

I couldn’t get enough of Michael Jackson. He perfectly embodied the role of a performer, an artist, a songwriter, a producer. Everything about it was in his grasp. I found him utterly inspiring, not just for his talent but also for the way he crafted a whole universe through his music. Timeless is the word that comes to mind when thinking about Michael. He could be placed in any era, and he’d still resonate with people today.

I heard Spike Lee discovered you on Instagram. Is that how he reached out to you?

One evening, I received a lengthy message from someone on Instagram who claimed to be Spike Lee himself. The message read, “Hey, this is the real Spike Lee.” At first, I was taken aback and responded with an exclamation of surprise, “Oh my gosh. What is happening?” Upon seeing the verified badge on his profile, I thought it could indeed be him. He went on to ask if we were possibly cousins due to our shared last name, Lee. Furthermore, he mentioned that he had been listening to my music all night and seemed to have discovered one of my songs titled “My idols lied to me” which recently went viral on Instagram and TikTok.

From there, he found out all of my music albums and really enjoyed them. It was around 6 a.m., so I woke up my mom. Excited, I said, “I think Spike Lee may have messaged me.” She replied, “What do you mean? Go back to sleep.” That very same day, we actually met him.

Is that when he told you about the movie?

He is quite secretive, so he tends to keep his plans hidden until you’re deeply involved. This way, you can focus on the present without worrying too much about what might happen. He initially shared that he was developing a movie and even sent me the script for feedback. A few months later, he started inquiring about personal details, followed by sending script portions (called “sides”) that mirrored the information I had previously disclosed to him.

In this paraphrased version, I attempted to make the text more natural and easy to read while maintaining the original meaning.

As a hopeful actor, I committed the lines to memory, prepared diligently, and stepped into the audition room for him and his team. Following my performance, there was no immediate feedback – only a cryptic, “Alright, let’s grab some Jordans.” Assuming that meant my audition wasn’t disastrous, given I was about to receive these coveted shoes! Months later, the mystery was solved when he finally shared the exciting news: I had landed the role, a trip to New York awaited me in a few weeks, and I would be working alongside Denzel on set.

When you found out you had the role, what was going through your mind?

At first, I found it hard to believe. Even now, I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around it. You know that skeptical side of me that always questions everything? Well, it took some time for me to accept the reality of the situation. The truth is, I was thrilled and felt extremely honored to be part of this project. Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are two of my all-time favorite artists, so you can imagine how ecstatic my mom and I were. When I called my grandma to share the news, she couldn’t contain her excitement either – turns out she knew some of the people involved! That’s when I truly realized that everything was falling into place perfectly.

Did you know you were going to be performing a song as well as acting?

That very month, we found ourselves discussing the possibility of penning a song for Highest 2 Lowest, which took us approximately a week to discuss back and forth.

In a different style, here’s how you could rephrase the given text:

For the movie, I penned about ten unique songs. You could say I filled an album with Spike joints! Eventually, we settled on one that he thought truly captured the essence of the film. He was highly engaged and cooperative, encouraging me to express my personal narrative openly. This was liberating for me, especially given past career experiences where I felt restricted. It was moving to have someone at his caliber support me and allow me to share my story candidly.

This revised version aims to maintain the original meaning while using more conversational language that might be easier to read.

Was there a particular note from Spike that helped in writing the song?

Through our discussions, he shared small insights that prompted me to delve deeper into my personal narrative. At a certain stage, he became like an older brother to me due to his profound understanding of my character. Given his knowledge of my past experiences, he was able to draw upon them and guide me in presenting my story in a cinematic manner.

One point he emphasized was the importance of not repeating the same chorus continually throughout the piece. Instead, create a fresh one each time to drive the narrative. Traditionally, the chorus is meant to be repeated, but here I believe it served to advance the story significantly. As a result, it gave the impression that the song was like a movie unfolding in real-time.

The song feels very personal, but it also hits on the themes of the film. What does the song mean to you?

This illustrates my experiences along the way. There have been individuals, whether in my personal circle or professional field, who doubted me due to my age. You understand the stereotype, “The older you are, the wiser,” don’t you? Many trying to undermine my instincts and suppress my voice.

It seems we’re transitioning towards an era where creativity and authenticity should take center stage, with artists leading the way. This movie beautifully explores the contrast between commercial and genuine artistry, highlighting the importance of numbers versus real artistic expression – something I’ve always championed, although it hasn’t been without its challenges for me. I believe this film represents a synthesis of all my struggles, offering a glimmer of light and hope in a darker context.

You’ve been writing songs your whole life. But I’m curious what it was like to approach acting and how you prepared for the role of Sula.

I’ve always held actors and actresses in high esteem, and I’ve had a deep-rooted passion for filmmaking. In my music videos, I strive to create a cinematic atmosphere. To me, this means learning lines well so that when on set, I can fully immerse myself in the moment and make performances as authentic as possible. Sula resonated with me because it felt like a reflection of my own experiences – much like the time I auditioned for an executive, singing directly to them while they sat just feet away.

I incorporated a past experience into the situation. Denzel advised me to focus on listening. This helped me feel more engaged and present. And Denzel is an outstanding leader. Just his presence makes you feel immersed in the scene. It’s not acting anymore, it’s just being real.

I integrated a previous encounter into that specific event. Denzel suggested I pay attention to listening more attentively. This made me feel more engaged and present. And Denzel is an exceptional executive. His mere presence makes you feel like part of the scene. It’s no longer about acting, it’s about being genuine.

Which was more nerve-wracking, the actual audition or the performance in the movie?

Absolutely, the movie experience was fantastic for me! I was quite anxious initially, but once I joined everyone, the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming. Denzel even complimented me, boosting my self-assurance. There wasn’t a trace of ego among them, which made it an ideal setting to work in. Quite different from the music industry where you’re often bound by conglomerates, forcing you into specific mold. This change was invigorating. We’re moving into the Age of Aquarius, where embracing individuality and authenticity becomes a necessity!

The movie event exceeded my expectations! I was initially jittery, but as I joined the crowd, it felt incredibly welcoming. Denzel even praised me, boosting my self-esteem. There wasn’t any sign of ego among them, making it a perfect place to work. A stark contrast from the music business where you often have to fit into predefined molds due to conglomerate influence. But this shift was exhilarating. We’re stepping into an era of Aquarius, where embracing your unique self and authenticity is key!

You sang live in the film. How many takes did you do?

I can’t help but gush about this incredible experience I had – singing a piece over twenty times in one go, live on stage! It was as if I were performing an extended solo concert, and amazingly, nobody seemed to tire of it. The entire crew was captivated, their enthusiasm never wavering. Even though we used the same mic typically reserved for acting, ensuring a raw, unprocessed sound quality, there was something electrifying about the performance that left everyone in awe.

Spike is incredibly focused, and he skillfully orchestrated a tender scene. We filmed it numerous times, but I could’ve continued shooting for several more days. In fact, I was all set to perform a solo gig following that. My band camp experience had prepared me for this moment. (This version aims to simplify the original text while maintaining its essence and preserving the use of active voice.)

I know you’ve not seen the whole film, but have you seen your scene? What was it like seeing yourself?

I had the amazing opportunity to watch myself perform after doing ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement), and let me tell you, it left me utterly spellbound! You see, acting has always been my heart’s desire, and standing beside Denzel Washington and other remarkable talents on a screen was a dream come true. It felt like I was in a surreal world, almost unbelievable that being genuine led me to this point. To make things even more extraordinary, the year Spike spotted me, I was on the brink of homelessness. That moment filled me with so much hope and inspiration to keep moving forward along this incredible journey.

You have another track on the Highest 2 Lowest soundtrack called “Prisencolin (Americano Joint).” What was the process behind that one?

Spike shared with me the Italian tune “Prisencolinensinainciusol” by Adriano Celentano. In truth, this piece is merely a collection of nonsensical words, so there are no actual lyrics to be discerned, correct? Spike came across a folksy song I’d posted on Instagram and called me. He said, “I’ve got an idea! I didn’t realize you dabbled in folk music. I’m going to send you a tune for your listening pleasure.

Initially, I found it incredibly impressive, leading him to request that I write lyrics for it. While the melody and rhythm were already in place, we lacked words. His intention was to have this song included in the end credits as a symbolic triumphant moment. Consequently, I incorporated that idea and introduced an additional layer to it.

What do you hope is next once people see Highest 2 Lowest?

I’m eagerly looking forward to producing more music and fostering a fanbase who genuinely connects with it. My journey could serve as an inspiration for those who believe they require someone else’s approval before moving forward, as I’ve learned that waiting for others has never benefited me. A crucial aspect of my work is demonstrating that you can self-manage and self-distribute your music. In today’s digital age, there are numerous opportunities to take charge of your own career, and there’s no reason not to advocate for yourself.

Apart from my current projects, I aspire to take on more film roles. The experience of being on a movie set felt truly transformative, and the vibrant atmosphere there left such an indelible impression on me that I yearn to carry on this adventure for as long as possible.

2025-08-15 23:06