Kuku
Ballads and Blasphemy (Buda Musique, 2015)
Nigerian musician Kuku questions religious dogma on Ballads and Blasphemy. Even though he was born in the United States, he grew up in Nigeria so his music is deeply inspired by the African country’s musical traditions.
Ballads and Blasphemy mixes Afropop, Afrobeat, highlife, Yoruban roots music and gospel. He uses English and Yoruban throughout the album along with one French-language song. Most of Kuku’s sales came from Europe so he relocated to Paris, which is a music hub for West African music, and released his new album on a French label.
“It’s my revelation of free thinking,’ Kuku clarifies. “When I was thirty I turned away from religion. I understood it was the cause of more wars than anything else in history. I needed to work things through by myself.”
Afrobeat star Tony Allen appears on two tracks. “I met Tony at a wedding and became friends,” reveals Kuku. “He’s like a father figure to me. I was reluctant to approach him for the album, but he was so happy to be involved that he not only played drums, he even did some of the arrangements.”
Kuku grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and returned to the United States to go to college. He also served in the U.S. Army. He started singing and writing songs after his discharge from the Army although his daytime job was graphic designer. In 2011 Kuku moved to Paris, France.
Kuku provided vocals on the Red Hot + Fela album and Tony Allen’s Film of Life CD. He also sung the classic football (soccer) anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in a commercial for the 2013 Africa Cup.
The lineup on Ballads and Blasphemy includes Kuku on vocals, acoustic guitar and udu; Cyril Atef on drums; Hilaire Penda on bass; Jean-Emmanuel Faina on cajon, congas, and drums; Jordan Ringo on double bass; Misja Fitzgerald Michel on guitar; Arnaud “Nya” Colucci on bass; and Tony Allen on drums.
Ballads and Blasphemy is a stimulating mix of musics rooted in Yoruban tradition.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
