Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist and songwriter Somi has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist of the Month for August, recognising her contribution to African storytelling and her work in expanding the visibility of African women in international jazz.
The announcement comes shortly after the release of her 13-track album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, on August 7 through Salon Africana. The album, which features the single We’re All Falling, explores themes of identity, self-discovery and belonging.
Somi, who was born in Illinois to Rwandan and Ugandan parents, has built her career around a fusion of contemporary jazz, pan-African rhythms and narrative-driven songwriting. Her selection places her among women artists being highlighted through Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme, which seeks to amplify female voices in African music and connect them with wider audiences.
“EQUAL matters to me because it insists that women's voices don't just belong here; they shape what this industry becomes,” Somi said following the announcement.
She said navigating the music industry as a woman had involved working in spaces that were not always designed to accommodate women, adding that her experiences had influenced both her music and her approach to the industry.
Somi is also recognised for becoming the first African woman nominated in a Grammy jazz category. She received a nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her live album Holy Room, further establishing her presence on the international jazz scene.
Her latest album was co-produced with Benjamin James of Nigerian highlife duo The Cavemen. It includes collaborations with The Cavemen. and jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, with recordings made in Dakar, Lagos, Paris and New York.
Spotify Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu said Somi's career reflects the values of the EQUAL programme.
“Somi's artistry is a powerful testament to the rich, transcendent legacy of African jazz and storytelling,” Okumu said.
According to Spotify, the programme seeks to support women artists who are influencing the future of African music by increasing their visibility and reach.
For Somi, her music is also informed by the experiences of African women and the need to create space for emerging voices.
“African women have not been very visible on international jazz stages, despite the vibrant community that I know exists across the continent,” she said.
She cited artists including Miriam Makeba, Cesária Évora and Letta Mbulu as part of the legacy on which she has built her career.
Beyond music, Somi is a playwright and actor who has worked on Broadway. Her artistic work therefore extends across music and theatre, with storytelling remaining a central element of her creative identity.
Describing her sound, Somi says her music combines “story-based songs” with modern jazz, pan-African grooves and soulful intimacy.
She said aspiring artists should remain authentic to themselves and their music, urging them to pursue their ambitions without being afraid of showing their full identity.
As Spotify's EQUAL Africa Artist for August, Somi's latest recognition comes at a point when her new album is introducing another chapter of her work to audiences across Africa and internationally.
