Grammy-Nominated Somi Named Spotify EQUAL Africa Artist for August

Somi, the Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist and songwriter, has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist for August. The honour arrives alongside the release of her new album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, out August 7 on her label Salon Africana.

The 13-track project, led by the single “We’re All Falling,” is an intimate meditation on self-discovery, identity, and finding belonging amid life’s dissonance. Co-produced by Somi and Benjamin James (of Nigerian Highlife duo The Cavemen.), the album features guest appearances from The Cavemen. and acclaimed jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. It was recorded across Dakar, Lagos, Paris, and New York City, weaving global sensibilities into Somi’s most personal work to date.

Born in Illinois to parents from Rwanda and Uganda, Somi’s artistry is rooted in storytelling that connects Africa with the diaspora. 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.

Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme celebrates women artists who are shaping the future of African music by amplifying their voices and connecting them with new audiences across the continent and beyond.

“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. We are honoured to celebrate her voice and vision this August.”

Somi added, “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. EQUAL matters to me because it insists that women’s voices don’t just belong here; they shape what this industry becomes. To be lifted alongside so many women artists around the planet, at this moment in my life, and in this chapter of my work, means so much. Thank you for the honour.”

Somi on Artistry and Representation

On her multifaceted career, Somi revealed,

“It might surprise people to know that I’m also a playwright and actor who has worked on Broadway.”

Reflecting on her path to music, she said,

“I can’t say that I have ever had a moment when I realised music was my destiny, but I know that nothing else makes me feel as alive and connected as singing does. I’m grateful for that knowledge and the opportunities I’ve had to use my gift in this lifetime. 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.”

Describing her sound, Somi explained,

“Story-based songs framed by modern jazz, pan-African grooves and soulful intimacy.”

To aspiring artists, she offered this advice:

“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.”

On the influence of womanhood in her work, she noted,

“So many of my songs are informed by the embodied experience of being a woman. That is something I did not set out to do, but as I continue on this journey, I feel more and more thankful for it. I believe it is important for women to not only share our lived experiences through our artistry, but also to provide examples for future generations so they have the confidence to take up more space both on stage and behind the scenes.”

Addressing her role as an African woman on international jazz stages, Somi said,

“African women have not been very visible on international jazz stages, despite the vibrant community that I know exists across the continent. As the first African woman nominated in a Grammy jazz category, it is never lost on me that I stand on the shoulders of giants like Miriam Makeba, Cesaria Evora and Letta Mbulu. Being able to represent that lineage, and the many voices of African women globally, is something for which I am both humbled and grateful. More importantly, I hope my work helps create space for future voices from the continent, whether they work within or beyond the jazz category.”