KUKU

Official Biography of KUKU

(provided by www.kukulive.com)

The former US Army Specialist turned graphic/web designer grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he had his informal education in American soul music while indulging in his parents extensive Motown and Philly soul collections.  KUKU began writing songs in the manner of his favorite artists at the time, The Jacksons, Shalamar, Gap Band and Lakeside, to mention a few. In high school, KUKU was mostly into dancing, hip-hop, and the latest American music import. His major request from someone visiting the in States was either a copy of the Right On or Black Beats magazine, or a cassette recording of American's Urban FM stations.

KUKU returned to the US shortly after high school. He worked a series of odd jobs while in college then later joined the United States Army. In the Army, he was stationed at Arlington, VA's US Army's prestigious Old Guard unit. Upon living the Army, KUKU musical passion grew. He immerses himself in the DC, U street open-mic scene in 2002, around the same time he picked up the acoustic guitar for the first time. Teaching himself day and night, he developed a percussive finger picking style that's solely his own. A few months later he had his first acoustic show at the legendary Bohemian Caverns. From that moment, KUKU's one man band shows took flight in between his day jobs.  A series of employment lay-offs followed later, forcing him to make the decision to follow his passion full time. To earn a living he maintained selling is design services on a freelance basis to colleagues in the art scene and to corporate organizations.

In 2004, KUKU embarked on a self booked and managed tour around the country playing venues such as DC's Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, New York's SOB's, Los Angeles Temple bar, Philadelphia's Five Spot and World Cafe, and Chicago South shore Cultural Center while opening for some eminent names in music. The demand for recorded music by his growing fans forced him to release the 2005 ep "Love Sessions" while taking his time crafting his debut full-length album "Unexpected Pleasures."