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Chitown MC Common Guests On Rwandan/Ugandan Singer Somi's Single Entitled "When Rivers Cry."
Chitown MC Common Guests On Rwandan/Ugandan Singer Somi's Single Entitled "When Rivers Cry."

Okayafrica Audio: Somi x Common - "When Rivers Cry"

Chitown MC Common Guests On Rwandan/Ugandan Singer Somi's Single Entitled "When Rivers Cry."

Chitown MC Common guests on Rwandan/Ugandan singer Somi's single "When Rivers Cry" - a reflection on the industrialization of Africa's major cities that channels the spirit of environmentalism championed by Kenyan Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. The track - penned on the day of Maathai's death in 2011 - is the second single from her forthcoming major label debut entitled The Lagos Music Salon. Somi spoke to the importance of the track in a recent chat with The Wall Street Journal:

“I was in Lagos on that day and couldn’t help but reflect on the pollution that plagues most major African cities… ‘When Rivers Cry’ is meant to be a rumination on Africa’s environmental past, present and future. Obviously, these issues are a part of a global conversation—that’s why I decided to invite Common to collaborate on the song. His verse reminds us of the responsibility and thoughtfulness we all owe to this earth—no matter where we are from.”

Somi's rich, bright vocal is punctuated by a lush orchestral arrangement and some choice words from Common. Check the track below to listen to "When Rivers Cry." Learn more about Somi and her upcoming LP via Okayafrica. Purchase Common's Nobody's Smiling LP via iTunes. Stay tuned for more.