WAYNA: Higher Ground/Grammy Nominated

Wayna

Higher Ground/Grammy Nominated

© 2008 Quiet Power (796873054621)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

With her sophomore effort, Higher Ground, Wayna indeed reaches new and daring heights, experimenting with broken beat and progressive hip hop sounds, while remaining true to her roots in classic soul and contemporary R&B.

notes

Grammy Nominated - 2009
Lovin You (Music) featuring Kokayi nominated for Best Urban Alternative Performance

Sales Highlights:
Moonlight Rendezvous, 7 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 on
Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Singles Chart, Peak #3
Moonlight Rendezvous, 7 consecutive weeks in the Top 50
Billboard’s 100 Hot Singles Sales, Peak #12

My Love, 6 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 on
Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Singles Chart, Peak #2
My Love, 6 consecutive weeks in the Top 50
Billboard’s 100 Hot Singles Sales, Peak #18

Background:
With the release of her debut CD, Moments of Clarity, Book 1 (2005) Wayna solidified herself as an emerging singer/songwriter and a compelling and vivid storyteller. Since then, the Ethiopian native, whose musical style can be found between Minnie Riperton, Lauryn Hill, and Simon and Garfunkel has used her soulful voice and dynamic stage show to wow audiences, critics, and CD buyers worldwide. Essence Magazine proclaimed her as “one to watch.” Billboard magazine hailed her “a standout on the indie front,” and Stevie Wonder said she is “incredible.”

With her sophomore effort, Higher Ground, Wayna indeed reaches new and daring heights, experimenting with broken beat and progressive hip hop sounds, while remaining true to her roots in classic soul and contemporary R&B. Featuring performances from underground standouts Kenn Starr, Muhsinah, and Kokayi, and production from longtime collaborators Kev Brown and RoddyRod, Higher Ground offers a thrilling blend of infectious melodies, colorful lyrics, and dirty drums.

Standout Performances:
· The Vagina Monologues, December 2007, the Lincoln Theater (DC), with Star Jones, Sherri Shepherd, and Vanessa Williams.
· Save Darfur Rally on the Washington Mall April 2006 with Senator Barack Obama, George Clooney, and Russell Simmons.
· Opened for Fantasia, Common, Amerie, Bobby Valentino, Ashford and Simpson, and Chuck Brown.
· Performed at renowned venues throughout the country and abroad including The White House, SOBs (NY), Temple Bar (CA), Apollo theater (NY), Joe’s Pub (NY), the Lincoln Theater (DC), the Georgia Dome (GA), Sheraton Addis (Ethiopia), Harlem Jazz (Ethiopia), the 9:30 club (DC), the Carter Baron (DC), and Camden Yards (MD).
· FYE in-store tour throughout the East Coast, Spring 2008

What people are saying:
“She’s Incredible”- Stevie Wonder
“Wayna is one to watch.” - Essence Magazine
“A standout on the indie front.” - Billboard Magazine
"Lauryn Hill is a close comparison...Every track is a pleasure to listen to." - Music
Monthly
"Her smooth blend of pop and R&B will be right at home on the shelf next to Erykah
Badu, Zap Mama, and Destiny's Child." - World Pulse Magazine
“Her voice is unique, and I love her writing.” – Raheem DeVaughn

reviews

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  • higher ground
    author: teresa

    loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't buy many cd's this was one i had to have. keep them coming wayna

  • fresh!
    author: Shinsuke Ueno

    Make me fresh! My delicious music nominated.YEAH!

  • Congratulations Wayna!
    author: ChevyFordBandFan

    We love Wayna's voice so pure and natural, her phrasing flows very smooth... congratulations Wayna on your Grammy nomination.

  • Higher Ground
    author: Toyin Agbetu

    Consistency of talent is a rare gift in these times of musical and vocal banality. I can truly say that with this follow up album Wayna has proven se is not a one hit wonder but instead a talent borne for longevity in creative and cultural arts. Higher Ground is an apt title for the album. May the Ancestors continue to guide and protect you. Peace. Toyin Agbetu, The Ligali Organisation

  • Nice
    author: MrE

    This is a refreshing change. Some solid tunes and thought provoking lyrics. Won't get tired of listening to this for a long time.

  • PURE CLASS
    author: rick thomas

    This CD has been on my player since I bought it, the songs are all classics in their own right, Wayna, has such an amazing delivery, please check her work out, you will be more than impressed!!

  • Day dream woman!
    author: Richard Roberts

    I'm on again to let you know,how much I love her music,I can't get enough of it.

  • wayna wonderous
    author: KEVIN ETHERIDGE

    great album (cd) wayna has a lovely voice and checking the credits she is a great songsmith what`s best about higher ground and makes it standout is the production it`s very of the phuture (a bit like naked music releases) also the change of vocals on different tracks jazzy on (moonlight rendevous & new scenery) soulful on (close 2 u & my love) and other worldly on (stalking horse) a top release up there with amel larrieux thankyou wayna all the best for the future hope you get the success your wonderous talent deserves.

  • Erykah the 2nd
    author: Richard Roberts

    Love it,keep going,hometown sister.

  • Lift Me Up
    author: G.

    ...to "Higher Ground." I love this album and love this artist. The song writing and arranging are flawless. This is the creativity and humanism that separates Neosoul from pop-R&B.

  • Unique Voice
    author: Heather

    Wayna has one of the most unique voices in the music today. This CD is a great follow up to Moments of Clarity and hopefully a pre-curser for great things to come.

  • Conintuously Killin!
    author: Kev.O

    There are very few albums that I can listen to and enjoy from beginning to end. This is definitely one of those. It's stylistically hip, lyrically smart, and visually captivating. It's a hot album altogether. If you've never witnessed the birth of a star, Wayna is definitely it! Catch it.

  • higher ground...WAYNA
    author: THE FLYIN LION

    she sounds like butterfly cocoons live in her throat and each time she sings they burst from their shells, fully formed to tickle the air with wings made of melody...she performed @ eden's...wow!!!!!! BIG BIG things do come in small packages....

  • Deserves 10+ stars
    author: Carla

    Both Wayna's cds are pure bliss to my ears and I could listen to them both every waking minute of the day.

  • So Strong!!
    author: Gary Fantie

    Now this is what I call real strong music. The first album was very,very good. But to me Wayna has truly excelled in making another excellent album without treading the same ground as her first album. At the moment, Billy Club is on constant repeat, excellent lyricism, accompanied by some solid musicianship topped off by the excellent vocals make this Album a must have for anyone interested in real quality music!!

  • so fresh!
    author: julie COLLET

    the first album was amazing, this one is so fresh! ***

  • A MUST HAVE CD!!
    author: Tam Solomon

    This CD... Higher Ground is better than the majority of the stuff on the radio these days! I can not believe I've actually found a CD in which EVERY track is HOT! There is not one stinker on this CD. Wayna's delivery puts you in the mind frame of Erykah Badu's first CD... Wayna's originality and creativity are expressed in every song. This girl is NO studio artist... all natural. This CD is flat out, craftmanship... it really delievers! I so love "Close 2 U"... I promise you, this CD will make you regret every R&B CD you purchased this year! Wish I could give more than 5 stars!! Nice work, Wayna; and I can't wait until you come to the "A"!!

  • MR DURACELL
    author: KEVO of ILL STATE RECORDS

    I REALLY LIKE UR FLOW KINDA SOUNDS LIKE JILL SCOTT WITH A LITTLE LAUREN HILL MIXED ALL 2GETHER KEEP AT UNTIL U REACH THE TOP THEN WHEN U REACH THE TOP KEEP GOING, PEACE AND LONE ****KEVO****

  • Amazing!
    author: Mwabi Kaira-Murdock

    The sophomore jinx is not something Wayna has to worry about. Moments of Clarity was our introduction and we were left wanting more. We get more and then some from Higher Ground. What I have always appreciated about Wayna is her songwriting ability. Each and every song tells a story that touches your inner core. The song 'Home' spoke to me the most and 'Mr. Duracell' is every sista's theme song. Bravo to one African girl from another!

  • Refreshign Artist
    author: Reggie "DJ Reg" Collier

    This artist is hot and has a lot of potential sounds great style like a mix of some many artist erykah, amerie, amel larrieux, tamia... Standout SOngs Moonlight Rendezvous Loving You (nice Revisted remix) Office Politics PEace!

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