Ahead of her forthcoming tribute album, GRAMMY-nominated singer, Somi, has given a sneak peek into the project with a solemn record dubbed, House of The Rising Sun.
The song is one-half of the lead projects to herald the upcoming album, Zenzile: The Reimagining Of Miriam Makeba, which is set to drop on March 4, 2022.
This new album, to be released on the artist’s Salon Africana label, is an ode to late legendary South African singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba for her invaluable musical contributions and social justice in the continent, particularly in South Africa.
On the album, Somi performs renditions of some of Makeba’s most well-known records, including both original compositions by Makeba and covers. It features special guest appearances by Seun Kuti, Grammy Award winners Angelique Kidjo and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Gregory Porter, and other African music heavyweights.
This release date is set to honor Makeba, who was known in her lifetime as ‘Mama Africa,’ on what would have been her 90th birthday, and on March 19, Somi will host a celebration for the release of this monumental album with a star studded performance at the historic Apollo Theater in New York.
In 2020, Somi became the first African female to be nominated in any Jazz category at the 62nd Grammy Awards. Last year, she also clinched a deal with Spotify, becoming the latest entrant in its EQUAL Music Program.
