LABDI

Hailing from Nairobi, Kenya, LABDI (Irene Labdi Ommes) is a vocalist and pioneering improvisational Orutu player. Driven by an innate connection to music, she transitioned from composing music for a high school girl group to teaching herself the Orutu—a traditional single-stringed fiddle from Western Kenya typically played by men—thereby defying cultural norms. LABDI is a vocal powerhouse with a vision to popularize African traditional instrument culture. She challenges gender-normative roles within the traditional African music scene by advocating for women and girls to be included in traditional instrumentation and expression. Her diverse musical endeavors range from directing music to composing for dance and wildlife films, always focusing on embracing inclusivity and challenging gender biases in traditional African music.