Aja Monet, a poet and community organizer, delivered a powerful message about Black love, joy, and uncertainty at the Gagosian Gallery on Madison Avenue in New York. Monet’s former college adviser Bonnie Phillips was in attendance, with whom she recalls past memories of high school and college, from teachers who encouraged her writing to R&B singers and Tupac who expressed profound messages through their songs.
Her debut album, “When the Poems Do What They Do,” features a diverse mix of jazz and poetry, reflecting the essence of 1990s spoken-word scenes. The LP delves into the nuances of Blackness and celebrates the power of community.
In “Black Joy,” Monet blends soulful music and lyrics to highlight the power of joy, while “The Devil You Know” and “Yemaya” use psychedelic and polyrhythmic music to express social and environmental concerns. The nine-minute long piece “Give My Regards to Brooklyn” showcases the impact of Monet’s bold force and beauty through the words of her collaborators. She credits influential poets like Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, and the Last Poets for guiding her in her work.
Born and raised in East New York in Brooklyn, Monet started writing poetry at the age of 8 after being fascinated by the sounds of typewriters. She gained inspiration from her teachers and Sade, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, and Tupac. Monet created SABA to connect with like-minded students and joined Urban Word NYC for her first poetry slam, which triggered her interest in poetry and community activism.
Even today, Monet remains passionate about community activism and making art that reflects her love for the community. “Everything I do is rooted in a deep place of love, an overwhelming obsession with love,” she said.
