Rwanda: Somi releases third single ahead of new album

The song explores the expectations placed on women and the burdens they are often expected to carry. Drawing on the experiences of Black womanhood, Somi’s vocals are complemented by a saxophone solo from fellow GRAMMY-nominated musician Lakecia Benjamin.

“‘So You Want to Be a Woman’ is a conversation with the younger version of myself who could never have imagined the beauty and burden that would accompany becoming a woman,” Somi said. “While the title of the song poses a question, I hope the answer is one that offers women everywhere a future shaped by greater freedom and possibilities.”

The release follows the album’s first two singles, ‘Sometimes Love (feat. The Cavemen)’, a love song recorded in Lagos, and ‘We're All Falling’, which addresses mortality and the fragility of life.

What Does It Take to Bloom? was written and recorded between Dakar, Lagos, Paris and New York, continuing Somi's exploration of migration, identity and memory while turning the focus more directly towards self-discovery.

The album draws on elements of jazz, soul, highlife and spoken word, alongside Somi’s African heritage. It also reflects her experience of moving through the global jazz scene while resisting easy categorisation.

According to the album's concept, What Does It Take to Bloom? examines the search for belonging and the often-non-linear process of becoming whole. Somi explores themes including womanhood, experiences beyond individual control and the process of finding a stronger sense of self.

The album is scheduled for release on Friday, 7 August, through Salon Africana.