The World's Music at Oxford: Labdi

Labdi is a revolutionary Kenyan singer-songwriter and African single-stringed fiddle (Orutu) instrumentalist. She is a vocal powerhouse whose vision is to popularise African music culture, sounds and instruments and to re-introduce them to the world. Labdi represents the growing population of young African artistes taking up indigenous instruments and by taking up the Orutu, she currently stands as the only female playing the instrument, as it was reserved only for men in the past. Labdi experiments with indigenous Kenyan sounds such as Taarab, Ohangla, Mwomboko and Benga and the music she experienced growing up in two big cities, (Nairobi and Kisumu).

The World's Music at Oxford

The World's Music at Oxford is a project run at the University of Oxford, which blends research into global musics with live performance. Our concerts are open to all students of the University and members of the general public. For the 2020-2021 season, we are streaming all our concerts live online so you can enjoy music from the world's most dynamic artists while staying safe at home.

The project, created in 2016, is run by postgraduate students researching a wide range of global musics. It aims to provide a platform for voices and musical styles rarely heard in Oxford and to build new links between the University and the general public. 

Our events showcase renowned performers from the UK and abroad. During the performances, the musicians also explain the characteristics and contexts of the works they perform. 

The World's Music at Oxford is generously supported by St John's College. We are also grateful to the AHRC-TORCH Graduate Fund, the St John's College MCR, the Andrew W.  Mellon Foundation, and the Oxford University Music Faculty for previous support.

You can find out more about the event on Facebook or on the World's Music At Oxford website.