Celebrated globally for her narrative richness and genre-defying sound, Somi has built an extraordinary career bridging African rhythms with contemporary American jazz. Born in Illinois to parents from Rwanda and Uganda, she became the first African woman ever nominated in a Grammy jazz category, earning a nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her live album Holy Room.
A Personal and Global Album
The new album, dropping on August 7 on her own label Salon Africana, is described as an exploration into the ongoing process of staying faithful to oneself amid life's dissonance. Co-produced by Somi alongside Benjamin James of Nigerian Highlife duo The Cavemen, the project features guest appearances from The Cavemen and acclaimed jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. Recorded across Dakar, Lagos, Paris and New York City, the album weaves global sensibilities into Somi's most personal work to date.
"I wrote this body of work while traversing many places and losing many people. This album is a mirror of searching for where and how to take root in spite of that. I pray these songs offer each listener a sense of Home or, at the very least, a witnessing of me coming Home to myself," Somi said of the album.
The album's first single, We're All Falling, addresses loss and transience with clear-eyed intimacy. The 13-track project features songs including Throw Something, Sometimes Love featuring The Cavemen, So You Want to Be a Woman featuring Lakecia Benjamin, and Ngayaya.
A Barrier-Breaking Artist
Somi's groundbreaking work continues to elevate African narratives on the world's most prestigious stages while honouring the iconic women who paved the way before her. Her 2021 Grammy nomination made her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the Grammy jazz categories.
Beyond her Grammy nomination, Somi has performed at the White House for Barack Obama, become a recurring collaborator with the African Centre for the Performing Arts and the Apollo Theater, and written music for several films, including the highly praised documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
A Commitment to African Storytelling
Somi's selection as Spotify's EQUAL Africa artist for August reflects the platform's commitment to amplifying women in music. She joins a list of past EQUAL Africa artists that includes some of the continent's most celebrated female artists.
Reflecting on her journey, Somi has spoken about the challenges of building a career as an independent artist and the importance of creating spaces for African women in the music industry.
"To make music as a woman, to lead bands, build a label and hold onto your own voice, is to work in rooms that weren't designed for you. That work is often invisible and rarely without cost," Somi said.
With reporting from Spotify, OkayAfrica, Jazz Weekly, Music in Africa, and The Guardian.
