Aja Monet: Weaving Words and Spirit—A Transformative Residency at the Barbican

This November, the Barbican welcomes a singular voice in contemporary poetry and music as aja monet—Grammy-nominated surrealist blues poet and this year’s Artist in Residence—takes centre stage for the EFG London Jazz Festival 2025. On Friday 14 November, aja monet brings her acclaimed debut album, When the Poems Do What They Do, to life in a performance that promises to be as transformative as it is unforgettable.

Renowned for her seamless fusion of poetry and sound, aja monet’s work is a celebration of Black resistance, love, and joy. Her debut album, released on drink sum wtr in 2023, has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2024. Each track is a testament to the power of language, rhythm, and spirit—inviting listeners to reflect, rejoice, and rise.

As part of her Barbican residency, aja monet is set to nurture the next generation of creative voices. In the weeks leading up to the festival, she will lead a series of workshops, including a live reading and Q&A, and an immersive session with the Barbican Young Poets. These gatherings offer emerging writers and performers a rare opportunity to engage with aja’s politically engaged and deeply human practice—learning firsthand from an artist whose words ignite change.

The residency culminates in a special performance in the Barbican Hall, where aja monet curates an evening woven from poetry, sound, and spirit. Joined by special guests, she will open the EFG London Jazz Festival 2025 with an event that promises power, purpose, and profound connection.

Produced by the Barbican in association with Serious, this residency is not just a highlight of the festival—it’s a celebration of the transformative potential of art. At Occhi Magazine, we’re truly looking forward to experiencing aja monet’s artistry firsthand and witnessing how her presence at the Barbican will inspire and uplift audiences. This is an event not to be missed—where poetry, music, and community converge, inviting us all to listen, learn, and be moved.