We first heard about Nigerian 'Yoruba soulful roots' artist Kuku when he released The Cure, the lead single to his new album Soldier of Peace. It came with a video that revealed his customary stripped down format - voice, acoustic guitar, percussions - and it was simply captivating.
There was intimacy, thoughtfulness and emotional honesty in his singing and he conveyed his music with an absence of "safety nets", something rare for young "urban" artists in this age of Auto-tune. But then, to be fair, Kuku occupies a different area of contemporary urban music than that of most mainstream Nigerian artists, and he shares that space with only a handful of vocally strong artists like Layori.
There was also something really joyful and carefree about his singing, especially when he sang in Yoruba. Then it felt imbued with something like defiance, as though he was saying, this is me, take it or leave it. Here was someone whose roots clearly played a hugely important role in his art and very being, so we were eager to find out more before we even listened to the new album all the way through, which, we thoroughly enjoyed. 
MR GOODLUCK by KUKU
TIA: We liked your response to the palaver that went down in Nigeria a few weeks ago. Was it in a state of despair or anger that you put pen to paper [for 'Mr Goodluck', above], and what did you first think when you heard about the removal of the fuel subsidy?
Kuku: Honestly I take most of the information on the news, especially politics with a grain of salt. It's no different than those "Housewife of..." reality shows. Politicians for the most part are a weird breed of human beings that put everything ahead of ethics. I cry for my people who are constantly being pushed against the wall, but you can't pacify the hungry man forever; soon he will charge violently. I'm a calm guy for the most part and I often subscribe to the Yoruba proverb that say "Ebe la nbe osika." The translation means "we plea with the malicious minded". I wrote the song as a honest plea to Mr Goodluck, I hope the message reaches him and his cabinet.
TIA: Why did you leave Nigeria, and what are some of your greatest memories from your years growing up in Lagos? [Kuku was born in Miami, Florida, but grew up in Lagos]
Kuku: I had the American dream like many of my peers in Lagos in the early 90s. I left Nigeria to pursue my higher education, I also had big dreams of playing professional basketball in those days. Moreover, I had an avenue to work, pay for schooling and live semi-comfortably in the US. Nigeria didn't offer many choices with respect to my ambitions back then.
My greatest memories in Lagos/Nigeria are numerous, some better than others. Considering "greatest" immediately reminded me of the thousands of greatest ass whoopings I got from my mother. Otherwise, some of my fondest memories got to be in my grandfathers house in Surulere, the Molue and Danfo rides, trading music cassette and video tapes until the whole class could discuss the contents. I also spent some time at a boarding school in Sokoto, in far north of Nigeria. Those day were bittersweet. I can't forget my affinity for breakdancing back then. It's hard to crown a greatest memory.
TIA: How do you feel when you visit Nigeria?
Kuku: The last time I was in Nigeria was 2006, I would like to go home more often, but my budget has not always accommodated that wish. During my 2006 visit, I had some incredible times with family coupled with a few concert engagements in Lagos. Otherwise, I felt disenchanted with basic living conditions. The common "I don't care attitude" has really crippled our country. Some of little things I use to find fascinating were gone. For example, as a kid going to the Airport was quite magical; the shiny floors, sanitary aroma, it was like being on the set of Star Trek. The Lagos National airport has become so unwelcoming; for lack of better words, it was an eyesore.
I left Nigeria and found Africanism; a lot people at home are trying to be European or American. I remember an older aunt looking at me and asking "Is this the guy from America? Because he sure doesn't act like it." I took that as a huge compliment.
TIA: What do you miss the most about Nigeria?
Kuku: I miss being a child in Nigeria, adulthood coupled with grand ambitions is not as sexy as it seemed as kid. I miss the streets, the sounds of Kollington and Barrister blaring from vendor speakers. I miss the open-air markets and "characters" you encounter each given day. This state of blissful anarchy is like nowhere else in the world. I miss the culture I took for granted back then. I miss receiving oral history from my now deceased grandfathers.
TIA: In your opinion, how has Nigeria changed since you moved to the States? And what would need to change for you to make Lagos/Nigeria your permanent base?
Kuku: Nigeria has regressed! What would need to change? For starters constant electric city, running water, or the TOTAL absence of it, then at least I will know I am in a remote village where such conveniences aren't a reality. I'm extremist: all or nothing.
TIA: What is it about Yoruba culture that makes it so important to you?
Kuku: I believe Yorubas are custodians of Arts and Culture, even though this new generation threatens that notion. Yoruba culture and religions still flourish outside West Africa today. Our creation myths is as cool as the Adam an d Eve fiction. I'm a proud Yoruba man, I'm constantly researching my roots within Ijebuland, which as led me to Eastern Africa. I intend to continue to play my part as an ambassador and custodian of the culture. Yoruba is what I bring to the table in an international conversation, and believe me it's just plain sexy without any additive or preservative.
TIA: When and why did you make the decision to combine Yoruba and English in your songs?
Kuku: It wasn't a planned decision to combine Yoruba and English in my music, more of a natural progression. Some Africans live in America and their brains totally get colonised; the opposite sort of happened to me. Very quickly I realised I was AFRICAN in America. It was exactly like Prince Hakeem in Eddie Murphy's Coming to America.
My first real song in Yoruba is Ife, it appears on my 2006 album Unexpected Pleasures. I believe I took a sharp turn with my music afterwards. Possibly, fewer people understood my music and lyrics afterwards, but I felt honest about what I was cooking and in that I started attracting a new and enlightened audience.
TIA: Your format and style is quite stripped down. When and why did you decide on that?
Kuku: I'm a singer/songwriter, it's the basis of what I do. I write songs, not catchy phrases adorned with hard hitting beats and orchestra production with the sole intention of making hits. My goal was always to sit on stage with minimal or no amplification, play my songs, share my message, and let emotions flow. I love minimalist music, music with space, lyrics, and when I picked up the guitar in 2002, I did exactly that.
TIA: What are the key things you're trying to communicate with your music?
Kuku: With my music, I'm primarily trying keep my sanity intact and be my best self. By doing that, I hope to foster more positive vibrations, compassion, and free thinking among those who listen to me. I'm no Jesus, Mohammed, or Buddha but I think I'm offering some kind of areligious gospel and non-pharmaceutical cure. 
TIA: You already perform with good musical partners, but if you could pick one artist to collaborate with who would it be?
Kuku: I don't have a dream collaboration like some artist to do. I prefer to create and let collaborations happen organically.
TIA: How do your audiences differ in racial composition from Europe to America? And how do different audiences respond to your music?
Kuku: I think Europeans are more eclectic music listeners, most American are format listeners. I often have to travel outside the metropolis to find eclectic listeners in the US. I don't want to get into racial demographic but after living in Europe for about a year, it is clear to me why so-call "World music" artists do so much better in Europe than America. I believe music should be listened to in a balanced diet, just like food.
I truly think my music attracts some very spiritual people, but I guess more mainstream listeners never get the flyer or see the concert posters. I've heard folk compare the mood at my concerts with that of a church or mosque service.
TIA: What are the differences between the way African and Caucasian audiences respond to your music?
Kuku: This is a question I often ask myself but has never been publicly asked of me. I can't speak generally, but it seems like native Africans often respond to my music through the perspective of what they know; Afrobeat, Highlife, Juju and other African styles. Other cultures are far more open and I often get a chorus whenever they can articulate a Yoruba line I just sang. Pioneering my own sound and trying not sound like an existing genre is not my intention, yet it's my path. I embrace it and those listeners who have supported me this far regardless of racial and cultural background. The saying "Prophecy is never first accepted in its home of origin" does make more sense to me now.
TIA: And what sort of audience does your music appeal to in Nigeria?
Kuku: I appeal to the free-thinking Nigerians. With the high degree of western education, religion and conservativeness engrained in many Nigerians today, I have to be patient and remember that every great truth was once blasphemy. For the most part I don't think Nigerian audiences understand my music yet; there is so much pseudo-hip-hop in the air right now in that country, it's difficult to hear anything cultural and original.
TIA: Where is the most unforgettable place where you have performed at and why?
Kuku: I performed at the Washington DC's correctional facility in 2009. Knowing that I was going to be playing acoustic African music to convicted criminals, I was a bit nervous. I had some misconceptions. After a few songs I noticed one of the sisters crying and wiping her tears with her blue prison suit. I couldn't believe my music could have such an effect on them. I ended up giving hugs and pounds to entire room afterwards. It was most rewarding. I learnt a big lesson that day; I am no different from this convicted brother or sister. A bad decision, mistaken identity, and a number of other variables and choices could have landed me in their position.
TIA: How did 'Yoruba Girl' end up on the soundtrack of Relentless?
Kuku: Andy Okoroafor, the director of Relentless, was one of my first contacts when I first arrived in Paris in January 2010. I visited his studio and played him some songs from my new album. That was it. He presented the idea to add the song to his film's soundtrack. Beautiful things often happen organically when artists connect, as opposed to when capitalists hide under the auspices of art.
TIA: You sing about your mother on 'Yeye'. How did she influence you as a person and as a songwriter?
Kuku: They say you are product of your environment. My mother sang around the house to her Juju music collection when she's not busy whooping our asses. I wouldn't say she was a good singer but she will argue otherwise. She also speaks a lot in proverbs. We the children mocked her proverbial and disciplinary ways whenever she was not at home. She is heavily into fashion, she had a boutique in Ikeja in the 90s, she also pays incredible attention to detail. I'm sure some of her qualities and mannerisms made it into my artistry.
TIA: How is the new album different from the previous three?
Kuku: Soldier of Peace (Balogun Irorun) is my first Yoruba record despite some English content. The past albums are more of an acoustic soul projects. I think the rhythm and the compositions in this record is more fluid and mature. I'm also a much better singer and guitar player than I was some years ago. I think my songwriting on past albums mostly centred on romantic love, but I now see the world through a much wider lens. Soldier of Peace was also recorded under better technical conditions than previous three.
TIA: Your music is mostly acoustic and low tempo, so it was a bit of a surprise to come across the Casamena Kitchen remix of 'Orin Ayo'. How did that come about and which tracks from the new album would you choose to have remixed, and why?
Kuku: I love acoustic music and prefer to create in this medium, nevertheless I also enjoy fast tempo stuff on different occasions. I would like to hear my music in clubs but I don't want to make club music, so it's a pleasure to connect with talents like Casamena and recently T.Roy Broadcite with whom I just collaborated on the first track of his latest album BUSH MEAT. Funny enough, I've still never met Casamena in person, but we became friend online. He asked me to send him some accapella versions of my music, and a few days later he sent me the remix.
I'm currently working on a remix project for The Cure, the first single from the Soldier of Peace album. I enjoy hearing how one artist interprets another's music. I've always loved artist like Bebel Gilberto. She releases a bossa nova record, then follows it with a remix version of the same record. Remixes have turned out to be a great way of getting my music heard by dance music audiences while I keep my artistic integrity.
TIA: Which of the new Naija artists (such as D'banj, P-Square, etc.) do you like, and why?
Kuku: My strong opinions about the majority of Nigeria's current popular acts really has no weight compared to their bank accounts, so I'd rather not get into that. Some intelligent mind once said "Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time." I agree with this, I'm not into fashion. Nevertheless, I enjoy P-Square, they keep some African inflection in what they do.
TIA: How and where do you see yourself and your music in ten years?
Kuku: I hope I'm healthy, alive, and creating. 10 years is long time to forecast, I don't even know what I will have for dinner tomorrow. I just want to spend the current moment loving what I do, doing what I love, and keep spreading love far and wide in the process. Their have been better men and women who checked out too early. I just hope to keep a good game spirit and keep scoring points until nature blows the final whistle.
Soldier of Peace gets its digital release on February 13th; bookmark the Amazon or Deezer link.
