Labdi Ommes is a brilliant multidisciplinary artist from Kenya. Her practice includes composing, singing-songwriting, visual art, sound installations. Last year, she released her latest EP, Pakruok.

" Pakruok is about self-praise. This EP is a confirmation and appreciation of oneself. The music takes on a satirical stance and Labdi addresses different societal issues."

In Kenya, she currently stands as one of the very few women who plays the orutu professionally, alongside Omwa Owbara. The orutu is a single-stringed fiddle originating from Kenya ( Luo people). 

In this episode Labdi Ommes reflects on her artistic journey - from the challenges she's faced as an orutu player in a patriarchal society, to claiming back the instrument, to preserving the Luo culture. We discuss her notable works including Unganisha, and the music score for award-winning National Geographic Society's documentary Nkashi: Race for the Okavango. 

Nkashi: Race for the Okavango was created by the National Geographic Society's Impact Story Lab, in close collaboration with Batswana filmmakers and local production company, Parable Motion. The film score features tracks by Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers' Composers Lab.The Lab includes musicians from around the African continent - Labdi Ommes, Thato Kavinja, Prince Bogosi, Ania Safa, Patrick Sainton, Neil.

With thanks to Pragna Parksotam-Kok for permitting the use of tracks composed by Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers' Composers Lab