Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Somi, who has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist for August.
NAIROBI, August 10,2026 – Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, songwriter and playwright Somi has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist for August, in recognition of her contribution to African music and storytelling through her genre-defying sound.
The announcement comes shortly after the release of her new 13-track album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, released on Aug. 7 through Salon Africana. The album, led by the single We’re All Falling, explores themes of self-discovery, identity and belonging while blending African rhythms with contemporary American jazz.
Recorded in Dakar, Lagos, Paris and New York, the album features Nigerian highlife duo The Cavemen. and jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. Somi co-produced the project with Benjamin James of The Cavemen., bringing together musical influences from across Africa and the diaspora.
Somi, who was born in Illinois to Rwandan and Ugandan parents, has built an international career around storytelling that connects African experiences with the wider diaspora.
She became the first African woman to receive a Grammy nomination in a jazz category when her live album Holy Room was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album, further establishing her as a prominent voice in contemporary African jazz.
Speaking on the recognition, Spotify Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu said Somi’s work reflects the depth of African jazz and the growing influence of African women on the global music scene.
“Somi’s artistry is a powerful testament to the rich, transcendent legacy of African jazz and storytelling . 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.”Said Okumu.
Somi said the recognition was particularly meaningful because of the challenges women continue to face while building careers and creating opportunities within 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 . EQUAL matters to me because it insists that women’s voices don’t just belong here; they shape what this industry becomes.”she said.
The artist said her musical journey has been driven by the joy of singing and the opportunity to share stories that resonate with audiences.
“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.
Somi’s musical influences include celebrated African and international artists such as Miriam Makeba, Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Khadja Nin, Cesaria Evora, Hugh Masekela and Tabu Ley Rochereau.
She describes her own sound as “story-based songs framed by modern jazz, pan-African grooves and soulful intimacy.”Reflecting on her place in African jazz, Somi said the limited visibility of African women on international jazz stages makes representation particularly important.
“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,” she said.
Through Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme, women artists across the continent are given greater visibility and opportunities to reach new audiences.
Somi said she hopes her work will help create space for future generations of African artists both within and beyond jazz.She also encouraged emerging musicians to remain authentic, saying, “Listen to your heart, never be afraid of being your whole self, and always be honest with the music.”
