Wayna Official

Wayna is an Ethiopian-born, GRAMMY-nominated singer, former White House writer, and actress, who celebrates the cultural influences of her background through her performances on screen and on stage. She is a 2X All Africa Music Awards Nominee, an elected National Trustee of the GRAMMYs, and the co-creator of the GRAMMY Award for Best Song for Social Change. 

Wayna has performed around the world at renown venues including the White House, the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Essence Fest, the Apollo Theatre, and the Marriott and Sheraton in Ethiopia. In addition to her solo career, she toured with music icon Stevie Wonder as a vocalist in his live band. 

“I Won’t Answer” tells a powerful story about student who stands up to cultural bias during roll call. The single follows Wayna’s three critically acclaimed solo albums, Moments of Clarity, Higher Ground, and The Expats. She received a Grammy nomination for her remake of “Lovin’ You (Music) f. Kokayi” on Higher Ground.