Acclaimed singer, songwriter and playwright Somi has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for August, recognising her genre-defying work at the intersection of African rhythms, contemporary American jazz and powerful storytelling.
The announcement arrives alongside the release of her new album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, which lands on August 7 via Salon Africana. The 13-track project is led by the reflective single We’re All Falling and explores self-discovery, identity and the search for belonging amid life’s uncertainty.
Co-produced by Somi and Benjamin James of Nigerian highlife duo The Cavemen., the album features appearances from The Cavemen. and acclaimed jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. Recorded in Dakar, Lagos, Paris and New York City, the project brings together global musical influences in what is described as Somi’s most personal work to date.
Born in Illinois to Rwandan and Ugandan parents, Somi has built a career rooted in telling stories that connect Africa with its diaspora. She made history as the first African woman nominated in a Grammy jazz category, receiving a Best Jazz Vocal Album nomination for her live album, Holy Room.
Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme spotlights women artists shaping the future of African music, amplifying their work and connecting them with new audiences across the continent and globally.
“Somi’s artistry is a powerful testament to the rich, transcendent legacy of African jazz and storytelling,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “As a barrier-breaking artist who continues to carve out space for African women on international stages, she perfectly embodies the spirit of the EQUAL programme.”
Somi said the recognition carries particular meaning as an independent woman artist navigating an industry that has not always made room for women’s leadership.
“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,” she said. “EQUAL matters to me because it insists that women’s voices don’t just belong here; they shape what this industry becomes.”
Beyond her music, Somi is also a playwright and actor who has worked on Broadway. She describes her sound as “story-based songs framed by modern jazz, pan-African grooves and soulful intimacy” — a sound shaped by the artists she grew up listening to, including Miriam Makeba, Koffi Olomide, Sade, Papa Wemba, Hugh Masekela, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Cesária Évora.
Reflecting on her creative drive, Somi said singing remains the place where she feels most alive and connected.
“I keep pursuing music because of the joy it brings me and the stories I’m able to uplift and share with others along the way,” she said.
For aspiring artists, her message is simple: “Listen to your heart, never be afraid of being your whole self, and always be honest with the music. Your audience will feel it deeply and thank you for it.”
As Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for August, Somi joins a growing roster of women whose work is expanding the boundaries of African music and ensuring more voices from the continent are heard on global stages.
