Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Somi is set to launch her fifth studio album “Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba” on Sunday, March 27, at the SA State Theatre, Pretoria.
The star-studded concert will feature local heavyweights Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Thandiswa Mazwai, Msaki, Nduduzo Makhathini and Zoë Modiga.
“Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba” is Somi’s latest body of work in honour of the late South African singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba.
The album was officially released on March 4, in celebration of what would have been Makeba’s 90th birthday.
“My inspiration for this cultural memory project is Mama Miriam’s generosity of voice and spirit. She was the first African artist to arrive on the global cultural stage. So, for me, this work is about honouring the woman who made space for my own voice and body to be seen, understand, heard,” says Somi.
“After working on this project for so many years, I’m truly looking forward to sharing this work with the South African audience. I’m also overjoyed to celebrate the release of this music with the community of artists who supported and inspired me through the journey of this album.
“In the end, I hope that the project brings more visibility and support to the work and legacy of the Miriam Makeba Foundation and the Makeba Centre for Girls,” she said.
Somi traces her love for Makeba’s works back to her childhood, where the iconic singer’s music was regularly played at home.
“I don’t remember the first time I heard Miriam Makeba’s voice. I grew up in a home where her music was played often. So in many ways, her voice has always been a part of my life journey and soundtrack,” she said.
She recently hosted the album celebration at the iconic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York City, where she featured five-time Grammy award-winning jazz legend Dianne Reeves, as well as Mzansi's finest Thandiswa Mazwai and Msaki.
“There is a passage in Mama Miriam’s autobiography where she talks about what it meant to debut there (Apollo Theatre) in September 1961. In it, she reflects on all of the great black entertainers who have performed before her and then says ‘now the African girl comes’.
“That particular line reminds us that she was aware of the space she was making for global black identities like myself and countless others. Again, she was the first.
“Having the opportunity to launch the Zenzile album in such a historic place and knowing that she was conscious of her own contribution to that history felt very full circle, as though this project is a part of something so much larger than myself. A continuum of sorts. A remembrance. A future. I’m so grateful and humbled by all of it,” she said.
The album launch was originally set to take place at Nirox Sculpture Park, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the event was moved to the SA State Theatre in Pretoria for Sunday, March 27.
The event organisers have issued an apology to ticket holders “for the changes and any inconvenience this may have caused”.
Somi also issued an apology on her Instagram account on Thursday, also advising on refunds to Nirox ticket holders.
The launch of “Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba” will take place at the SA State Theatre, on Sunday, March 27, at 7pm.
Tickets are available at Webtickets from R275 to R500.