Wayna: Mama's Sacrifice l review by Marvina S.
I ran across this artist by accident. I was trying to download Erykah Badu's "Mama's Gun" cd and downloaded a track by Wayna called "Mama's Sacrifice." When I first heard this song I was like "wait a moment this is not Badu!" So I decided to download her first cd, "Moments of Clarity Book 1." After downloading the cd, I decided to put skills to work and find out more about Wayna.
She was born in Ethiopia and at an early age, she had a love and talent for music. She starred in a theater production of "Annie" and "Damn Yankees". This once 'Miss Black Unity' of the University of Maryland formed a group and competed at the Apollo Theater. She earned a Bachelor's degree with a double major in English and Speech Communication which landed her a career as a professional Writer for the Clinton administration. She hung up her pen in politics then decided to dip her ink into music and the rest is herstory.
"Moments of Clarity Book 1" debuted in June 2005. It's a combination of pop, R&B, jazz, funk, blues, and a lot of soul. "Mama's Sacrifice" is an ode to all mothers no matter how old or young or single or married; just the struggles of being a mother and a woman and the things we do sometimes to keep our families together. Another song I was feeling was entitled "Secret Identity." It has this finger snapping beat and a cello being strummed. The tempo is set to that song "Give Me Fever." I love the lyrics to this song
"Trust me baby, you wouldn't like it when I'm angry. When I'm turning green it's not because of envy. My bat mobile is loaded and ready to go… don't be fooled by my secret identity."
What I took from the lyrics of this song is that this guy was trouble, trouble, trouble. "Double Destiny" is another song off of this 12 track cd.
Now her second cd titled "Higher Ground" was just released on April 5, 2008. The first single "Midnight Rendezvous" is an up-tempo jazzy number showing Wayna's amazing vocal range. Her remake of Minnie Ripperton's "Loving You" has this hip-hop flow featuring Kokayi. In "Mr. Duracell" this track had me laughing so hard that my co-worker LaDetria had to come with her earphones and listen. On this song she is describing this guy who is totally wrong for her and she had to call on old Mr. Reliable. The song is hilarious. Kenn Starr is on this song called "Close to You". Wayna has been a big hit with CD Baby that she wound up winning two muse awards for her song "This Ol'Grudge" from her first cd "Moments of Clarity Book 1" Best R&B.
I promise both of her cd's are worthy to be in your car, home, i-pod, media player at work or wherever you like to get your listen on. As always, don't take my ears for it. You can purchase both at www.cdbaby.com , www.wayna.net and www.amazon.com .
-Marvina S.
Vina@neosoulville.com