BY OPEOLUWANI  AKINTAYO
With the African and jazz legacies crucial to her sound, Ugandan/Rwandan born vocalist and songwriter,was recently in Nigeria with her band. She is often compared to the likes of Miriam Makeba, Sarah Vaughn, Cassandra Wilson, and Cesaria Evora.

Her deep, honeyed voice intones what she calls “holistic new African soul”—a fusion of Jazz, funk, soul, gospel, and African music, In this chat, Somi talks about her life around her  music,her relationship with the opposite sex  and why she is into Jazz music. Read on.

Somi...I started out as a Medical Anthropologist but I have always loved music

My background

I’m originally from Uganda/Rwanda. Somi was coined out  from my full name Kabasomi meaning the child of a scholar. I was born when my dad hasn’t even graduated from school.(laughs). I live in New York City and I’ve been here in Nigeria for about two weeks.

I think Africa is Africa. So,  I’m at home. So because of what Lagos is, the size of it and media giant and cultural heritage when it comes to music. So I decided to experience what it is like to explore what it means to write from here and know the norms.

Growing up

I grew up briefly in Zambia. So it was okay. My parents are wonderful. My father was a professor in the university and my mother is also into science and Medicine, Gynecology. So I grew up in a small college town and we travelled a lot.

It was fun because it exposed me to different kinds of music like those from Uganda and classical music. I didn’t really listen to a lot of jazz but my father loved jazz music. So my parents encouraged me to be open minded and that’s how my mind found jazz.

From the beginning

Not at all. I started out as a Medical Anthropologist but I have always loved music and I’ve been performing since I was a child. But I didn’t take it seriously because I had a career as an option. So I thought music was a fantasy to me.

Everybody around me could sing, my mother has an amazing gift of singing. But   at some point, I sat and thought there was certainly more to the music in me than I thought. So I decided to give it a try and I’m happy.

Going into music professionally

It was a journey which developed overtime, especially in New York City which happens to be a tough place. So, I had  to be clear about what I want, what I want my voice to sound like and the kind of song I’ll want to be known for.

The reason is because there are many artistes on the streets who want to be seen and heard. So I started to think that I’ll prefer to incorporate the African sound into my music to make it unique. I wanted to be an African girl in the U.S who’s not trying to sound American.

When I started, it was more of exploring the world by fussing the African sound with my influence in the American jazz music. People began to respond in different ways and my story began to be itself and I felt I could really do it because I already created an audience for myself.

The challenges I faced

I don’t really look at them as challenges. It’s part of the journey. And I think if you honour yourself well, and listen to your heartbeat,  then, you’ll find out that it can be a worthwhile experience. Part of the challenges has to do with what an entrepreneur faces when he’s just starting up his business. It was a financial challenge from the beginning. But I worked hard and controlled myself. I was persistent and believed in myself.

Music in Ugandan/Rwandan

Well, in Uganda, I don’t think we enough of the cultural spaces. Besides, I’ve lived my whole life in the U.S. So in U.S, we have tons of festivals and performing centres where there are professional sounds and lights.

Everything is moving well there. But every business in Africa always has infrastructure or logistics issues which can frustrate one into giving up. So for now, we’re not so sure we have enough jazz audience. But overtime, it can become one of the world’s largest music. I’ve got a mentor and he’s like an uncle to me. And someone of his status is committed to Africa and its music. I believe  jazz music is developing in Africa and will soon become large

Coming to  Nigeria

I was happy because I’ve travelled  all over the world. It’s always a wonderful thing whenever you’re going to a country where you’re not from and you still see people who appreciate you there. It encourages me on my journey as an artiste and a musician.

Last year, I came with my band. But this year, I came with some South African musicians because I wanted to collaborate with African musicians beyond my country.

Am I scared of coming to Nigeria

I wasn’t scared because Africa is home and they’ve always been stereotyped. The bottom line is that I have so many Nigerian friends and they aren’t bad people. Nigerians are just the same as others in other countries of the world. So there are too many good Nigerians and I’m just having fun. So I’m happy to be here and I love Nigeria.

Coping with advances from men

I think it is about balancing it. It’s just the way you do every other thing in your life. I just try to find a balance, keep my heart open,  yet remain uncompromising.

Married to my music

Music is not my husband and will never be(laughs). But I think music is my heart. I always make room for my family and friends because they’ve supported me and got me to where I am today. And obviously, love is part of the relationship I make out time for.

Men afraid of me

If you talk about marriage, you’ve got to find a man who’ll appreciate and support what you do. But I think when there’s love and support, it makes things easier. I don’t have a right or one  answer because it’s always about balance. I don’t face such a problem when men get scared of me because I find a balance in everything I do.

My boyfriend tolerate my career in music

I can’t answer that. Everybody is important and I think the people who love you are going to support you in whatever you do. Those who don’t understand you would always not be happy with you.

What I would like to correct about my past

I don’t like to live my life in regrets. I think everything happened for a reason. And at this particular time and for where I am, is where I should be as a woman and an artiste. So I can’t live in regret but can only give thanks for everything I’ve achieved.