Biography
Aja Monet Bacquie, born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, New York City, began writing poetry at age 8, inspired by storytelling and typewriters. She performed her first poem in high school at Baruch College Campus High School, winning a talent show and founding the club SABA (Students Acknowledging Black Achievements). Involved with Urban Word NYC, she attended Brave New Voices at 17, which politicized her, and at 19 became the youngest and last female Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion in 2007. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), Monet's early career blended poetry with activism, performing globally and speaking at events like the Women's March on Washington.
Fun Facts
- A woman on the B56 bus reportedly stopped her mother from going to an abortion clinic, telling her 'you have a poet coming,' as recounted in her poetry.
- Harry Belafonte called her 'the true definition of an artist.'
- She created an audio play 'VOICES' in 2022 amplifying stories of Black women across the diaspora and Africa.
- Received a Grammy nomination in 2024 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Mahogany L. Browne - Invited her to a poetry workshop for pregnant teens, exposing her to poetry's community empowerment (Poetry workshop at group home in Inwood) [High school years (pre-2007)]
- Langston Hughes - Early poetic inspiration introducing musicality of language (School introductions to his works) [Childhood/early school years]
Key Collaborators
- Saul Williams - Longtime collaborator, known since she was 14; studied Black Arts Movement together (VOICES: Poetry for the People, Where the Land Is Free, Maroon Poetry Festival) [2006-present]
- Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah - Featured musician on debut album (when the poems do what they do (2023)) [2023]
- Samora Pinderhughes - Featured musician on debut album (when the poems do what they do (2023)) [2023]
- Marcus Gilmore - Featured musician on debut album (when the poems do what they do (2023)) [2023]
- Lonnie Holley - Featured musician on debut album (when the poems do what they do (2023)) [2023]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Aja Monet has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 6, 2026 | 01:19 | black joyfrom when the poems do what they do | Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins |