Kokoroko (stylised as KOKOROKO) is a London-based octet led by Sheila Maurice-Grey, playing a fusion of jazz and Afrobeat.[1][2][3] In February 2019 they were named "ones to watch" by the Guardian, after their track "Abusey Junction" garnered 57 million views on YouTube.[4] In February 2020 they won Best Group at the Urban Music Awards.[5] In September 2020 they played BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.[6] Their name is an Urhobo word meaning "be strong".[7]
Kokoroko | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | Jazz, Afrobeat |
Members |
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Website | kokorokomusic |
They released their debut album Could We Be More in August 2022.[8]
Discography
editEPs
- Kokoroko (2019)
- Baba Ayoola / Carry Me Home (2020)
- Get The Message (2024)
Albums
- Could We Be More (2022), Brownswood[8] – No. 30 UK Albums Chart[9]
References
edit- ^ Hewett, Ivan (8 September 2020). "Kokoroko, Proms Live 2020, Royal Albert Hall, review: the band was delightful, but jazz needs an audience". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Kokoroko: "Jazz & Afrobeat Shouldn't Stay Within Our Parents' Generation"". OkayAfrica. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "KOKOROKO: The Jazz Group Honouring Afrobeat And The Sounds Of London". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Ones to watch: Kokoroko". the Guardian. 23 February 2019.
- ^ "2020 Urban Music Awards winners announced". Urban Music Awards. 18 February 2020.
- ^ "KOKOROKO". BBC Proms.
- ^ Sotire, Timi (8 August 2022). "KOKOROKO: "If we don't play this music, then a piece of our culture is lost"". NME. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ a b Empire, Kitty (7 August 2022). "Kokoroko: Could We Be More review – a debut of easy-going beauty". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Kokoroko | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 August 2022.