Liberated Muse

Transforming Places Into Art Spaces

KUKU Male Nigeria: Share Twitter

Blog Posts (3)
Discussions (1)
Events
Groups
Photos
Photo Albums
Videos (3)

KUKU's Friends

View All

Gifts Received

KUKU has not received any gifts yet

Give a Gift

KUKU's Page

Latest Activity

Moon of LiberatedMuse.com commented on KUKU's event KUKU @ Bohemian Caverns Featurings Guitarist MONGEZI NTAKA

"I love this flyer. I want to come and see you in concert! It's been so long. Happy New Year Kuku!"

Feb 28, 2010

Moon of LiberatedMuse.com might attend KUKU's event

KUKU @ Bohemian Caverns Featurings Guitarist MONGEZI NTAKA at BOHEMIAN CAVERNS, DC

March 4, 2010 from 8pm to 10pm

Feb 28, 2010

1 Comment

KUKU posted an event

KUKU @ Bohemian Caverns Featurings Guitarist MONGEZI NTAKA at BOHEMIAN CAVERNS, DC

March 4, 2010 from 8pm to 10pm

Feb 28, 2010

1 Comment

Jon Vee left a comment for KUKU

" Hey u it's been a while"

Nov 10, 2009

Jon Vee commented on KUKU's video

War - Alexei Jendayi & Sol Edler *

"This one touches me in so many ways. I have family back and forth in Irag"

Nov 10, 2009

Jon Vee commented on KUKU's video

KUKU: IFE

"You know how I feel about this one"

Nov 10, 2009

Imakhu commented on KUKU's blog post BANNED FROM NEIGHBORHOOD BARNES & NOBLES BOOKSTORE

"Ooooh! That made me furious. You ok, Brother? What happened with the situation? I hope you got a lawyer. I would have called all tha local media outlets too. Imakhu www.imakhu.com"

Oct 17, 2009

KUKU's 2 videos were featured

Aug 28, 2009

Profile Information

About Me:: A native of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, KUKU grew up in Lagos, Nigeria listening to the assorted sounds of American soul, folk, and jazz music, as well as the sweet African rhythms of artists like King Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Mariam Makeba and Aruna Ishola. KUKU moved to the US in 1993. After years of odd jobs, college, serving in the US Army and working as a graphic designer, in 2002 he found Bar Nun, a weekly open mic in Washington, DC’s U Street. It was there that he picked up a guitar for the first time, taught himself to play and began building a following singing in the U Street music/poetry open mic scene. As his reputation grew, he rapidly worked his way into the club, schools and café scene. Busking and touring while maintaining a full-time job, he released his 2005 home recording EP, “Love Sessions,” which has sold more than 4,000 copies. KUKU recalls, "I remember calling off sick from work several times while I was on a bus or in an airport heading to the next gig." His captivating performances, featuring an effortless blend of his Yoruba tongue and a uniquely soulful acoustic rhythm coupled with his tireless off-stage work ethic, led to an invitation to perform at the Kennedy Center in 2004. This would not be the last time.

2006 saw KUKU release his first full-length recording, “Unexpected Pleasures,” featuring the enchanting “Ife” and “Perfect Reality,” which continue to be favorites among fans. Produced by friend Alexei Tsybine Jendayi, “Unexpected Pleasures,” as KUKU would describe in an Atlanta radio interview, is an album that marries the sound of the likes of Bill Withers with King Sunny Ade with KUKU being the officiating priest. He labeled his minimalist acoustic guitar driven sound “The Afro-soul Acoustic Experience.”

Between touring and by mid 2007, KUKU began recording and self-producing new materials with a new album in mind. Then on Friday, July 20th, 2007, KUKU met with Jendayi. That evening – in only two hours – he recorded a suite of songs live with just an acoustic guitar. His most intimate album yet, “The Absence of Cool”was born right then and there. Engineered by Jendayi, this record captures the true essence of KUKU's emotion-filled performances, his connection with his audiences, some of his comedic banter, and those perfect imperfections a polished studio recording often lacks. With more songs in his native tongue than his previous recording, the album further bridges the gap between KUKU’s western influence and his native roots.

Hailed by a fan as "the African Music Medicine Man," this Yoruba, DC-based troubadour has been touring extensively since the release of his debut recording “Love Sessions.” His enchanting sound has landed him on the stages of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music series-AfroFolk Live; New York’s SOB’s; Georgia Music Festival; Philadelphia’s World Café; and the Temple Bar in Los Angeles to name a few. In October 2007, South African guitar maestro Mongezi Ntaka (former and original guitarist for the late Lucky Dube band) joined KUKU as he launched “The Absence of Cool” at his third Kennedy Center appearance. The album concept asks listeners to stop enslaving themselves to the concept of “cool,” – with cool being the absence of emotion – and instead join him on a musical journey to the raw emotions deep in their souls. Happily independent, KUKU enjoys the artistic freedom that most major labels often deprive, but his biggest challenge is still getting his music heard by millions of eclectic listeners across the world without a machine. What he lacks with the backing of a machine, he makes up for as a tireless worker with a good heart. And with the digital age in full-effect, his music is reaching far more places than he has yet to visit. KUKU recently played at Washington DC’s correctional facilities. He calls this is the highlight of his existence. The story continues . . .

Chosen Artform(s):: Musician

Website:: http://www.kukulive.com

KUKU's Videos

KUKU: IFE

Added by KUKU
OBAMA OBAMA

Added by KUKU
War - Alexei Jendayi & Sol Edler *

Added by KUKU

KUKU's Blog

It's 8 am on Saturday Morning, February 28th, 2009. I've had a sleepless night with several thoughts going through my head, this include a reoccurring subject of mankind and self righteousness . I think I can finally articulate myself and I hope to really hear peoples take on it.

I want to start by saying I think I've been guilty of self righteousness if it is a crime. All through my life, I've chosen to work the so-called right path while I often pass judgement on those who I think… Continue

Posted on February 28, 2009 at 11:00am

My Dream

THE DREAM

I had a dream last night. It was the weirdest dream, though I must confess I've been thinking along the same lines for sometime. In this dream their was a conference with every singer, musician, and music maker in the world in attendance. The mission of the conference was to eradicate redundancy in music among other things. I can't remember all specific details, but I'll tell you a lot of people were banned from ever creating music ever again, hence the number of myspace… Continue

Posted on September 21, 2008 at 12:56am — 2 Comments

BANNED FROM NEIGHBORHOOD BARNES & NOBLES BOOKSTORE

Around 7.30 this evening, I worked into an Arlington VA, Barnes and Nobles intending to check out some interesting titles and if enticed enough make a purchase. My first stop was the bathroom which was on the second/upstairs floor of the store. I came out of the bathroom, found the shelves with the fictions titles and picked out Paulo Ceolho's, (my favorite authors), The Zahir, which was highly recommended by one of my good friend. I browsed around for a few more minutes then proceeded to… Continue

Posted on June 24, 2008 at 8:28pm — 19 Comments

Comment Wall (31 comments)

You need to be a member of Liberated Muse to add comments!

Join Liberated Muse

At 11:46am on March 3, 2012, Liberated Muse Arts Group said…: Thank you for being a part of Liberated Muse! Have you joined any of our groups lately? What would you like to see on Liberated Muse?

At 9:36am on February 14, 2010, Liberated Muse Arts Group said…: Kuku! How are you? Hope you're well. Happy Valentine's Day.

At 1:24pm on November 10, 2009, Jon Vee said…: Hey u it's been a while

At 11:30am on August 24, 2009, Jon Vee said…: Hello old friend.

At 8:47am on August 18, 2009, Liberated Muse Arts Group said…: hey Kuku! Looking forward to getting updates on upcoming shows!

At 12:47pm on March 31, 2009, Bip said…: Kuku, thanks for the heads op on the concert. We ALL had a great time and tryn ta be patient waitn for the next show (no matter where) to come along. We have come to a unanimous decision....DON"T QUIT THE BIZ! My number is 443-629-6099. If you ever come to B-more, we can hang out or let me know the spots in your town. The drive is no problem. Peace!

At 6:59am on March 27, 2009, Bip said…: We'll be there early this time for sure. lol

At 11:09am on March 11, 2009, Mama Moon said…: Whenever you ready and I mean that !

At 12:27am on February 18, 2009, Bip said…: Hey Kuku, I have my tickets for Sunday and I will bring some friends for an inspiring evening. Thanks for the music you create