Witch Prophet

Queer, Canadian Ethio-Jazz, operatic soul + alternative R&B artist WITCH PROPHET comes to Portland, Oregon as part of BELOVED EMERGENCE on JUNE 4th!

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Witch Prophet, an evolution of Toronto-based, artist Ayo Leilani, is a queer, East African singer-songwriter and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She delivers a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz and soul-inspired beats.

File next to Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Portishead.
Witch Prophet illuminated in a car

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BOW DOWN

to the

QUEEN

INDEED

- Exclaim! Magazine

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Leilani finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity.

“Just being alive on this planet is the greatest magic of all, but to have the additional chance at living out my dreams is proof enough for me that my manifestation powers are on point. I’ve always wanted to make music and to sing — ever since I was three years old.”

Witch Prophet
Photo: Francesca Nocera

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DNA Activation connects the historical with the cultural and the personal for a record where ancestry and autobiography become one and the same. –Bandcamp

Backed by the musical production of Sun Sun, this power couple are active on the scene: they make up two-thirds of hip-hop trio Above Top Secret, and together they founded Heart Lake Records, self-releasing Witch Prophet’s albums The Golden Octave and DNA Activation.

Witch Prophet with Sun Sun

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Really this album

is just to

tap into

people’s inner truth.

The whole point

of DNA activation

is to

activate

the part of yourself

that allows you

to remember

WHO YOU TRULY ARE.

–Witch Prophet

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Witch Prophet

Instead of DIY, it’s DIT: DO IT TOGETHER

From Ethiopian jazz, Eritrean influences, R&B + hip hop fusion, all of Witch Prophet’s work is rooted in community. She speaks on identity, on the gender-based double-standards in the music industry, and how it’s always necessary to tap into the collective in order to find success.

“We don’t do it ourselves, there's always community helping, as an independent artist, you always have to keep moving.”
Witch Prophet Social Image
Enchanting and hypnotic Ethio-jazz featuring sultry sax riffs, timeless hip-hop rhythms and soulfully soothing melodic mantras that affirm who you are and the power you hold. –wavelengthmusic

“We need more support for BIPOC artists within the rap, R&B/soul, and reggae genres. Canadian music is not just singer-songwriters, folk and indie bands. We need more money, funding, access to resources. We need more festivals and events to book outside of their comfort bands, we need media to write about up-and-coming artists as well as those living and working in the margins.” –Witch Prophet

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JOIN US for a night of expansive togetherness
on multiple stages at BELOVED EMERGENCE
on JUNE 4th at The North Warehouse
with Dirtwire, Sudan Archives and Witch Prophet
PLUS
DJs Scott Nice feat. Maitreya Wolf, Sheena Medicina, & Inner Expression
and the JASMINE DRAGON TEA LOUNGE!

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