African-American. Here in the USA (and almost equally so in the majority of the western hemisphere) the common phrase mostly refers to the descendants of chattel slavery. But there is now a new generation of African-Americans.

Somi is one of the new generation. Her parents are from Uganda and Rwanda; she was born (Laura Kabasomi Kakoma on June 6, 1981) in Illinois. Here are are her comments and three selections.  She has spent years residing in Lagos and other areas of Africa, and currently domiciles in New York.

The big deal is her music, not just her vocals but also the sensibility she brings to her songs. When she sings the result is both an aural narrative and an emotional touchstone. Her new live album, Holy Room, features Somi supported by Frankfurt Radio Orchestra. And what a joy it is.

From whisper soft breaths to full-throated screams, Somi gifts us with her full vocal range unleashed. She is more than simply a singer, she is both a performance artist and a thoughtful philosopher.

Within the larger scheme of day-to-day reality, it is easy to downplay the importance of a vocalist of popular music. So many entertainers are visible to us and their music streamed worldwide, yet relatively few of them are presented as serious artists who confront larger social issues regardless of the pretense and hoopla surrounding their public image. 

Somi is special.