Somi: The Trailblazing Voice of Global Jazz and Performance Art
Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, known professionally as Somi, is a powerhouse of multidisciplinary art. As a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, playwright, and actress of Rwandan and Ugandan descent, she has carved a unique space in the global music scene. By blending vocal jazz, soul, afrobeat, and pop, Somi transcends traditional genre boundaries to tell stories of heritage, migration, and identity.
Somi's career is marked by historic milestones. She holds the distinction of being the first African woman nominated for a Grammy Award in a Jazz category, as well as the first Rwandan or Ugandan individual to receive a Grammy nomination. Furthermore, she has broken barriers in theater as the first East African actor to perform on Broadway.
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Key Facts
- Full Name: Laura Kabasomi Kakoma
- Heritage: Rwandan and Ugandan descent
- Major Achievements: First African woman nominated for a Grammy in a Jazz category; first East African actor on Broadway.
- Education: Degrees in Anthropology and African Studies (UIUC), Master's in Performance Studies (NYU), and PhD candidate in Music (Harvard).
- Instruments: Vocals and cello.
- Notable Awards: NAACP Image Awards, Doris Duke Performing Artist Award.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Born on June 6, 1981, in Champaign, Illinois, Somi's early years were shaped by a global perspective. While her father pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, she was born into an environment of academic rigor. At age three, her family relocated to Ndola, Zambia, where her father worked for the World Health Organization. This early exposure to African culture deeply influenced her artistic trajectory.
Upon returning to Illinois in the late 1980s, Somi attended University Laboratory High School and Champaign Central High School. Her commitment to learning continued into higher education, where she earned undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and African Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. She later expanded her expertise with a Master's degree in Performance Studies from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and is currently pursuing a PhD at Harvard University’s Department of Music.
A Journey Through Music and Discography
Somi's professional music career began to gain international momentum in 2007 when she licensed her independently recorded album, Red Soil in My Eyes, to the Harmonia Mundi/World Village label. The album's single "Ingele" became a significant hit, maintaining a Top 10 position on the U.S. World Music Charts for several months.
In 2009, she signed with the independent label ObliqSound, releasing If the Rains Come First. The album debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard World Music Chart and featured the legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, who served as her long-time mentor. This was followed by her first live concert album, recorded at the Jazz Standard in New York City and released via Palmetto Records in 2011.
Somi's transition to a major label occurred in 2013 when she signed with Sony Music as one of the first artists for the relaunched Okeh Records. Her major label debut, The Lagos Music Salon, was inspired by an 18-month sabbatical in Lagos, Nigeria. The album reached #1 on the US Jazz Charts and featured collaborations with Common and Angelique Kidjo. Due to her evocative style, publications such as The Huffington Post referred to her as "the new Nina Simone."
Her subsequent work continued to explore social themes. Petite Afrique (2017), a song cycle focusing on the West African immigrant community in Harlem and the effects of gentrification, won a 2018 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album. In 2020, she launched her own label, Salon Africana, releasing Holy Room - Live at Alte Oper. This project, featuring the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, earned a 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album and won the 2021 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, Vocal.
Summary of Discography
| Year | Album Title | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Eternal Motive | Early recording |
| 2007 | Red Soil in My Eyes | First international distribution |
| 2009 | If the Rain Comes First | Billboard World Music Chart #2 |
| 2011 | Somi: Live at Jazz Standard | First live concert album |
| 2014 | The Lagos Music Salon | US Jazz Charts #1 |
| 2017 | Petite Afrique | NAACP Image Award winner |
| 2020 | Holy Room - Live at Alter Oper | Grammy nominated |
| 2022 | Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba | Tribute to Miriam Makeba |
Expansion into Theater and Writing
Beyond music, Somi has established herself as a formidable writer and actor, often using her full name, Somi Kakoma, for these pursuits. She wrote her first original play, Dreaming Zenzile, a musical based on the life of the iconic Miriam Makeba. The play premiered during the 2021-2022 season at several prestigious venues, including the McCarter Theatre Center, ArtsEmerson, and Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop.
To accompany the play, she released the tribute album Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba in 2022. The release concert at The Apollo Theater was particularly historic, marking the first live event at the venue following the 2020 global pandemic shutdown.
In 2023, Somi reached a new career peak by making her Broadway debut in the title role of "Jaja" in JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIRBRAIDING. Her multidisciplinary excellence has been recognized through numerous prestigious fellowships, including the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, TED Senior Fellow, United States Artists Fellow, Soros Equality Fellow, and Sundance Theatre Fellow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Somi's most significant historical achievements?
Somi is the first African woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award in a Jazz category and the first Rwandan or Ugandan person to receive a Grammy nomination. She is also the first East African actor to perform on Broadway.
What is the focus of the album Petite Afrique?
Petite Afrique is a song cycle that explores the experiences of the large West African immigrant community living in Harlem, New York City, specifically addressing the challenges posed by rapid gentrification.
What is Dreaming Zenzile?
Dreaming Zenzile is Somi's first original play. It is a musical based on the life of the legendary singer and activist Miriam Makeba.
Which instruments does Somi play?
In addition to her work as a vocalist, Somi plays the cello.
What is Somi's educational background?
Somi holds undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and African Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, a Master's in Performance Studies from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Music at Harvard University.