American born Lagos Nigeria bred singer-songwriter KUKU bridges the gap between his Yoruba roots and the western world. His haunting, genre bending rootsy sounds, and conscious songwriting is often mentioned in context with some of his diverse influences such as Richie Haven, Fela Kuti, … Following years of odd jobs, serving in the United States Army, and attaining his university degree, KUKU launched his music career in the mid 2000s with a series of independent releases, Love Sessions (2005), Unexpected Pleasures (2006), and The Absence of Cool (2007) and Love in a Time of Hope & Recession (2009). He toured in the US college and university scene, coffee houses, and busked extensively on street corners notably the Alexandria, Virginia boardwalk before relocating to Paris France in 2011. After a few failed record company connections in Paris, he self-released his 4th and what he deems his coming of age album, Soldier of Peace (Balogun ÌRÒRÙN) in 2013. Songs like “The Cure” and “Live life Now” resonated heavily with his growing French following.
Also in 2013 he lent his voice to the ORANGE™ sponsored advert for the African Cup of Nationssinging the legendary Liverpool Football Club anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone‘. His collaboration with Congolese/Belgian rapper Baloji on a reprise of Fela Kuti‘s ‘Buy Africa‘ is the leading track on the 2013 ‘RED HOT + FELA’ album by Knitting Factory Records. He collaborated on legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen‘s 2015 released album “Film of LIfe.” With co-production with his long time South African musical partner Mongezi Ntaka (Lucky Dube, Vusi Mahlasela), KUKU followed suit with the album “Ballads & Blasphemy : The Areligious Gospel of Adebola Kuku“. The album was released in 2015 by Buda Musiques, an eminent French record label specializing in world music. KUKU earned critical acclaimed with the French musical press; Telerama Magazine, Le Monde newspaper, UK’s Songlines magazine, RFI radio, and France-inter radio. Lately, KUKU has lent is voice and songwriting to some dance music producers. His collaboration with Monsieur Scott on a EP called REVISITED was released in late 2015. In late 2016, Charles Schillings a renowned French House DJ and producer released the single Where Are You ?featuring the voice of KUKU.
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INFORMATION
Website: kukulive.com
Facebook: KUKUMUSIC
Youtube: youtube.com/user/KUKULIVE
