Laura Kabasomi Kakoma

thumb|Somi Laura Kabasomi Kakoma in 2016 Laura Kabasomi Kakoma (June 6, 1981), is a Grammy-nominated American-born singer, songwriter, playwright, and actor of Rwandan and Ugandan descent. Somi is the first African woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award in a Jazz category. Quotes Thank you to my family and all who have supported, cheered, inspired, and loved me through my journey. Thank you to the Recording Academy for this honor ….and to the glorious Frankfurt Radio Big Band for making this project a reality. I am so, so, so grateful! Indeed, the journey is a Holy Room (oh, and I cut off my locs!). Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, Somi, said: (ktpress.rw, November 27, 2020 ) Today I was nominated for my very first Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude (and can’t stop crying!) Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, Somi, said after her nomination. (ktpress.rw, November 27, 2020 ) I was born in Champaign, Illinois.  My father, the late Dr. Ibalaimu Kakoma was completing a post doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois.  He was a Rwandan although he grew up in Uganda. My mother, Elizabeth Nyarubona Kakoma, is a Ugandan. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 I am the sixth of seven children.  We moved to Zambia when I was three years old and when my father began working for World Health Organisation, we returned to Champaign where he worked as a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology and my mother worked as an oncology nurse. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 In many ways, Illinois is just as much my home as Africa because I spent the majority of my formative years there. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 I completed my undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and African Studies also at the University of Illinois.  After college, I spent a year and a half doing research in Kenya and Tanzania with plans of becoming a Medical Anthropologist. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, but didn’t consider making it a career choice until my early twenties.  I studied the cello from the time I was eight years old through college and I write my songs on the piano.  My primary instrument is my voice. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 No one in my immediate family is a professional musician, although the love of music is definitely prevalent. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 My mother has a beautiful singing voice that she shares generously around the house and in church!  (I always consider her my first voice teacher.)  And my brother Itonde has a lovely voice and plays a bit of piano and violin.   Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 One of the greatest blessings of my journey as a professional artiste has been the unconditional love and support of family. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 Of course I had to answer a lot of questions when I announced I wanted to be a professional singer, changed my graduate school focus, and initially struggled as a waitress to pay my bills.   Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 What we have to realise is that those questions and occasional resistance to our heart’s pursuits are usually coming from a place of love.  Once I realised that, it gave me more room to cultivate and channel positive energy towards accomplishing my goals as a professional musician. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 I don’t have a particular favourite musician.  There are so many that have inspired, taught, guided, and grounded me. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 I will, however, say that one of the main lessons I’ve learned from such artistes who inspire me is this: Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks.  Individuality is the best thing anyone has to offer. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 My childhood dream was definitely to be a singer, but as a little girl I thought it was just that, a dream. In the African culture, as you know, it’s very rare to encourage a child to become an artiste.  Since I was always involved in the arts, I simply looked at it as a way to be better rounded. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 And since there were no professional artistes in my immediate or extended family, I didn’t know what the path would be. That said, I’m thankful for New York City and the courageous community of dreamers who have helped me understand that my dreams can be lived out loud. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 The best word I can use to describe how I feel when performing for an audience is FREE. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 There is something about performance that both humbles and strengthens you simultaneously.  It is where I am happiest and most liberated. My first performance was terrifying but totally thrilling.   Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 If you become stressed out on stage, your audience becomes stressed with you.  It’s important for us to remember that our energy as performers dictates the energy of the room. That said, we can’t take ourselves so seriously.   Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 Mistakes might happen, but honest music supersedes all of that. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 I also enjoy vegetarian cooking, writing/reading prose, and spending time with family and friends.  Honestly, like anyone who works for themselves, it gets difficult to find balance - especially with my international travel schedule.  Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 In recent years I am trying to be more conscientious about work/life balance.  It’s a work-in-progress. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks. Individuality is the best thing anyone has to offer. Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks – singer Laura Kabasomi Kakoma The NewTimes, September 11, 2013 External links Category:African Americans Category:Singer-songwriters from the United States Category:Playwrights from the United States Category:Actresses from Illinois Category:Jazz singers Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Women born in the 1980s Category:Women singers from the United States