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
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresJazz, Afrobeat
Members
  • Sheila Maurice-Grey
  • Cassie Kinoshi
  • Richie Seivwright
  • Yohan Kebede
  • Duane Atherley
  • Tobi Adenaike
  • Onome Edgeworth
  • Ayo Salawu
Websitekokorokomusic.co.uk

They released their debut album Could We Be More in August 2022.[8]

Discography

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EPs

  • Kokoroko (2019)
  • Baba Ayoola / Carry Me Home (2020)
  • Get The Message (2024)

Albums

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Kokoroko: "Jazz & Afrobeat Shouldn't Stay Within Our Parents' Generation"". OkayAfrica. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  3. ^ "KOKOROKO: The Jazz Group Honouring Afrobeat And The Sounds Of London". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Ones to watch: Kokoroko". the Guardian. 23 February 2019.
  5. ^ "2020 Urban Music Awards winners announced". Urban Music Awards. 18 February 2020.
  6. ^ "KOKOROKO". BBC Proms.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Kokoroko | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 August 2022.