“All the Notes”

KOKAYI Musician, Producer, and Artist

I’m not sure who has permission to pass out the label “legendary,” but if I can presume for a moment, musician and artist KOKAYI is legendary. The native Washingtonian is a grammy-nominated artist, MC, a pioneer of DC hiphop, an in-demand jazz musician, an amazing spontaneous composer and preeminent improvisational vocalist, a published author, an exhibited photographer, a sought-after producer and mentor—his accomplishments in any one of those fields would be enough to earn the title of “legend.”

But don’t think that he’s done, either. KOKAYI is still building his legacy, drawing on the lessons and stories of the past for the benefit of the present and the future. It’s very Shakespearean, as is his deep love of words.

DC theater audiences will get two opportunities to hear KOKAYI’s work in the Spring of 2026—Folger’s production of As You Like It, and the musical Young John Lewis at Mosaic with Psalmayene 24. We discuss his work on both shows, his respect for playwrights and theater artists, as well as some big ideas about creativity, collaboration, and the sounds of DC itself.

Follow KOKAYI on Instagram, and listen to some of the bops, jams, and tunes Karen Ann Daniels sent him on this Inspiration Playlist.

And if you need it, brush up on the history of Go Go Music.