Grammy nominated R&B singer Wayna was arrested Wednesdayat Bush IAH Houston airport when security found a collapsible Billy Club in hercarry on luggage.
The singer uses the baton as a prop during the performanceof her song "Billy Club" that discusses police brutality.
Wayna received a third degree felony weapons charge forpossession 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 2-10years 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 $5,000bail according to statement issued by her spokesperson. She is awaiting a court date.
The statement maintains that Wayna had no intention of usingthe baton as a weapon, but had wrapped a brief tour in Texas including performing at the popularSouth by South West (SXSW) music festival. The baton is usually packed in her checkedluggage.
Her song "Billy Club" is a metaphor produced to sound like asad love song about a relationship with a character named "Billy." Wayna singsabout how "Billy" is meant to be used to protect and serve citizens but isoften misused. "I'm not supposed to fear you but you're the friendly kind," shesings.
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 forthe Best Urban/Alternative Performance Grammy.at this year's awards.
The Ethiopian-born singer who was raised in the D.C.-areaalso features other socio-political messages on her album. The song "My Love" is aboutdomestic 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 Universityof Maryland and worked as a writer inthe White House during the Clintonadministration.