Wayna Arrested At Houston Airport For Carrying Billy Club
Grammy nominated R&B singer Wayna was arrested Wednesday
at Bush IAH Houston airport when security found a collapsible Billy Club in her
carry on luggage.
The singer uses the baton as a prop during the performance
of her song "Billy Club" that discusses police brutality.
Wayna received a third degree felony weapons charge for possession of a prohibited weapon at an airport, confirmed Donna Hawkins, spokesperson for the Harris County District Attorney's office.
"A third degree felony has a range of punishment of 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine," Hawkins said via email.
Wayna was confined at the Harris County Jail.
Wayna spent 12 hours in jail before being released on $5,000 bail according to statement issued by her spokesperson. She is awaiting a court date.
The statement maintains that Wayna had no intention of using the baton as a weapon, but had wrapped a brief tour in Texas including performing at the popular South by South West (SXSW) music festival. The baton is usually packed in her checked luggage.
Her song "Billy Club" is a metaphor produced to sound like a
sad love song about a relationship with a character named "Billy." Wayna sings
about how "Billy" is meant to be used to protect and serve citizens but is
often misused. "I'm not supposed to fear you but you're the friendly kind," she
sings.
Wayna has received critical acclaim for her neo soul album Higher Ground. Her song "Lovin' You (Music)," a hip hop remake of the Minnie Ripperton classic, was nominated for the Best Urban/Alternative Performance Grammy.at this year's awards.
The Ethiopian-born singer who was raised in the D.C.-area also features other socio-political messages on her album. The song "My Love" is about domestic abuse. It debuted at No. 2 and No. 18 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles and Hot Singles Sales chart, respectively. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and worked as a writer in the White House during the Clinton administration.




