Somi

Somi Kakoma, known professionally as Somi, is a talented vocalist, composer, actor, and playwright, often compared to Nina Simone for her powerful and emotive performances. Born in Illinois to parents from Rwanda and Uganda, Somi spent her formative years in Zambia, immersing herself in the rich musical traditions of her adopted homeland. She later returned to the United States for her university education, leading to “an elegant amalgam of the musics she loves and the bi-continental experiences that have shaped her life” (NPR).

The New York Times praises her distinctive performance style, describing it as a blend of “African grooves, supple jazz singing, and compassionate social consciousness; She is both serious and seductive”. Her 2021 Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album made her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the Grammy jazz categories, as well as the first Rwandan or Ugandan ever nominated for a Grammy Award. Her album, Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba, accompanied the critically acclaimed original musical Dreaming Zenzile, which Somi also wrote and starred in Off-Broadway as a tribute to the legendary South African singer and activist. Her highly anticipated forthcoming album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, is set to be released in August 2026.

Closely mentored by trumpet legend Hugh Masekela, Somi has carved out her own path as an accomplished artist, scholar, and activist. She is the recipient of two NAACP Image Awards, holds multiple fellowships, and is a Doris Duke Artist. She is also the founder of Salon Africana, a boutique cultural agency and record label. She holds degrees in Cultural Anthropology, African Studies, Performance Studies, and a PhD in Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry from Harvard.

The WOMEN’S VOICES series celebrates women artists’ role in preserving and promoting their cultures and traditions.

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