Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This weekend Afrofolk brings the Nigerian soul sounds of Kuku to the South Shore Cultural Center at 7 PM on Saturday night. Please beware: Kuku’s music has some serious baby-makin’ properties. So watch whom you bring to the show. Just sayin’.
by Scott Smith, October 29, 2004 - CHICAGOIST
KUKU* 'Love Sessions' Mr. Kuku Recordings EP CD * Out Now Anyone who loves real soul music needs to hear KUKU’s self-released EP 'Love Sessions.' Minimal in arrangement but loaded with emotion, each song on the singer’s first offering is a stunner. “Love” is an acoustic tune that sounds like a lost Al Green classic with its church organs and a voice full of pain, pride and passion. “Over Dreaming” echoes of fellow Nigerian Afrobeat star Fela Kuti as gorgeous percussion punctuates intense vocals. Soul, folk and gospel touches make KUKU unclassifiable as an artist. Fans of Ben Harper, Dwele, D’Angelo and Carl Hancock Rux will all find something special in KUKU’s voice and music. - GIANT STEP (GiantStep.net) REVIEW SPRING 2005
Discography
LOVE SESSIONS (EP) 2005
OASIS Urban Vol. V
Video: KUKU live at the Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage July 23, 2005 and Nov 22, 2004:
Watch: http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/artist_detail.cfm?artist_id=KUKU
The Single "Sunrise in Bed" have Aired on XM Radio Channel 61, EavesDrop WKDU 91.7FM in Philadelphia , and London Englands Soul 24/7
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Once a basketball-playing schoolboy in Lagos, Nigeria, dreaming about NBA success in the U.S. Now in the U.S, Once a minimum wage fast food worker, warehouse laborer, club bouncer working to attain a college degree. Once a soldier in the United States Army hoping to use his military background as a stepping stone for bigger and better future career aspirations. Once a bankrupt college student waiting to take the corporate world by storm. Always, but now, a mature artist determined to share his gift of music with the world.
"Unexpected pleasures, that's what I'm going to give to you." Those are words from the American-born-Nigerian-raised singer/songwriter/guitarist KUKU. A self-taught guitarist and an advocate for the phrase "Less is more," especially when it come to the music he creates; following the footsteps of acoustic singer/songwriter and artists such as Richie Haven, Terry Callier, Bill Withers and a host many other influences. KUKU embraces the music of his birthplace, and traces of his Nigerian/Yoruba traditions are ever present in the acoustic essence of his soul music.
"Folky-soul" is what a few choose to label what KUKU does, but he lovingly calls it soul music-literally and musically. The "Love Sessions (ep)" is the first installment from KUKU to the music-loving world. An independently released EP under is own imprint MR KUKU Recordings, and an excerpt from a full-length project to be released in summer 2005. On "Love Sessions," KUKU delivers six tracks of guitar driven songs including the sensual ballad "Sunrise in Bed," which among many places could be heard on the answering machine greetings of a few of KUKU's adoring female fan. Another notable is the EP's fourth track "It's Alright to Sing So Blue", a potential "feel good" anthem
With appearance at venues such as the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, California's Temple Bar, and Chicago's South Shore Cultural Center to name a few, this six-foot-four Nigerian man with the guitar is quickly becoming a cult favorite, and he is gradually gaining worldwide recognition with his coined "Afro-Soul Acoustic Experience".
Love is his message, regardless of how the song is sung or the story is told. This notion will be heard in forth-coming "Unexpected Pleasures". But before then get the sizzling limited edition appetizer "LOVE SESSION (ep)".
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