Rising Artists To Know: DC-Based Singer Songwriter Wayna Wows Stevie, Takes on Vagina Monologues and Charts Billboard without Major Label or American Idol

Rising Artists To Know: DC-Based Singer Songwriter Wayna Wows Stevie, Takes on Vagina Monologues and Charts Billboard without Major Label or American Idol

WASHINGTON, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent artists who years past peddled their music out the trunks of their cars are finding innovative means of getting their sales counted and topping the charts. While some rely on electronic distribution sources like iTunes, MySpace and YouTube to gain exposure, others are like critically acclaimed DC-based soul R&B songstress Wayna who climbed to the top 10 of Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop Singles charts with her single Moonlight Rendezvous by crooning music lovers face to face at live performances in record stores and other venues nationwide.

The artist, whose musical style is a blend of Billie Holiday, Minnie Riperton and Simon and Garfunkel, launched a grassroots campaign including a series of performances at FYE stores throughout the DC, MD, and VA area. The campaign has proven fruitful. After one week Rendezvous debuted at #41 on Billboard's Hot Singles Charts. In years past, such triumphs were unheard of without the backing of major labels and their moneyed distribution machines. Wayna's imprint Quiet Power Productions launched the single in advance of the upcoming release of her sophomore album, Higher Ground, a fusion of classic soul and progressive R&B/Hip Hop.

Having a history of live performance success, Wayna wowed Stevie Wonder while performing at an LA club in 2005 leading him to call her "incredible." Last winter, during a three month stint performing in her native Ethiopia, she caught the eye of Electra Records and landed a distribution deal for her first album throughout Ethiopia. She was a recent featured soloist in the sold-out DC production of The Vagina Monologues alongside Star Jones, Sherri Shepherd, and Vanessa Williams. Following in the footsteps of area artists Eric Roberson, Fertile Ground and Grammy nominated Raheem DeVaughn that have risen out of the underground music scene to achieve mainstream success, Wayna is looking to surpass the success of her critically acclaimed first album Moments of Clarity. Independent Music Reviewer, Musesmuse.com, named it among the top 10 albums of the past five years and Raheem DeVaughn called it "an instant classic."

Wayna will be appearing at FYE stores in DC, MD, VA throughout March. A schedule can be found at www.myspace.com/waynamusic or www.wayna.net . Higher Ground's CD release will be held April 5th at Zanzibar nightclub.

Source: Wayna

CONTACT: JJ Ghatt for Wayna, +1-240-235-5028

Web site: http://www.wayna.net/

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Profile: International Entertainment