Jamati was in the house for the Passport to Africa Poetry Showcase. The event was held in Washington, D.C. at Bohemian Caverns, a famed club where jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Thelonius Monk and Winton Marsalis have performed. It is now a prime spot for local music, poetry and entertainment from around the world.

Hosted by The 5^th L Poets, the night featured poets who connect to Africa ancestrally, politically, culturally, or just vibe-wise. Anyone who can’t get into poetry because they think it’s about “here I sit under a tree” or “tiptoeing through the tulips” has never heard poetry put down the way it was by these artists.

Host Femi Lawal, akaThe Dri Fish, and his partner Native Son set the atmosphere from the start with a thought-provoking piece that covered everything from poverty, to crime, to pursuing dreams. From the intensity of Christopher K.P Brown to the sweet spirit and affirming voice of Rebecca DuPas, to the just-under-the-surface anger of Marc Marcel, each artist had something to say and said it with passion.

A performance by Ethiopian songbird Wayna hit all of the right notes and brought the crowd to its feet.

Jamati caught up with Wayna, one of our favorite artists, at the Passport to Africa Poetry and Music Showcase. Wayna delighted the crowd with selections from her new album Higher Ground as well as her own unique neo-soul versions of classics by Bob Marley and Minnie Ripperton.

Jamati: Wayna, I loved your show. Please - update us on what you’ve been up to since we last spoke.

Since we last spoke I released the album and we’ve been just performing throughout the country and we went overseas. We’re just getting the word out and really sharing the reaction to the album and putting together a really great show. Hard work but a lot of fun.

Jamati: And you are self-produced, working both your the artistic side and your business side.

Trust me. In the beginning I really did not want to work the business side. I preferred just to be an artist. And then I found out that when I listened to other people it didn’t get done. And so I found out that I had those muscles and I learned how to work them. And so far, so good because it’s nice to be the one in charge. I think we’re all trying to grow into the best people we can be, the most complete people we can be and if given the opportunity, we can shine.

Her single Moonlight Rendevous is a Billboard hot single, quite a feat for an independent artist. Her cd is a definite must have, and if you ever get the chance to see her perform in person, jump on it! She has also just released her sophomore album, Higher Ground, which just goes to show she has what it takes to go the distance.

It’s said that poets are prophets because they give voice to visions. Look for more prophetic voices from our poets and spoken word artists in future issues of Jamati.