aja monet

Aja Monet is an American contemporary poet, writer, lyricist, and activist based in Los Angeles. Known as a Surrealist Blues Poet, she works at the intersection of poetry, music, and activism, channeling a legacy of resistance, love, and collective care. Her artistic practice encompasses spoken word performance, vocal artistry, and composition. She has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including the Guggenheim, Newport Jazz Festival, and the Barbican, and has received recognition including an NAACP Image Award and a Grammy nomination. Her sophomore album The Color of Rain features live instrumentation and collaborations with artists including Meshell Ndegeocello, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Brandee Younger, blending jazz, soul, hip hop, and blues with surrealist imagery and reflections on contemporary life. In performance, she works with a dynamic quartet and is recognized for her distinctive vocal delivery and the way her tone, rhythm, and cadence interact melodically with live music.