KOKOROKO – Live on KEXP (2025)

Kokoroko is a London-based jazz and Afrobeat collective known for their fusion of jazz, soul, and West African rhythms. The band, whose name means “be strong” in the Nigerian language Urhobo, was formed in 2014 by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey. Their music is heavily influenced by the sounds of Fela Kuti, Ebo Taylor, Tony Allen, and other Afrobeat pioneers, blending contemporary jazz with highlife, funk, and soul.

The group gained recognition with their track Abusey Junction, which appeared on We Out Here (2018), a compilation showcasing London’s vibrant jazz scene. The song became a breakout hit, amassing millions of streams and highlighting their mellow, groove-heavy sound.

In 2019, Kokoroko released their self-titled debut EP, featuring tracks like Adwa and Uman, which further established their reputation for rich brass harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and emotionally charged compositions.

Kokoroko’s musical influences are deeply rooted in West African and Black British musical traditions, blending Afrobeat, highlife, jazz, soul, and funk. Some of their key influences include:

1. West African Music & Afrobeat

• Fela Kuti – The father of Afrobeat, whose hypnotic grooves, call-and-response vocals, and socially conscious messages deeply inspire their sound.

• Tony Allen – Fela’s legendary drummer, whose polyrhythmic style influences Kokoroko’s percussive layers.

• Ebo Taylor – Ghanaian highlife icon known for his fusion of jazz and Afrobeat, evident in Kokoroko’s melodic and harmonic structures.

• Osibisa – The pioneering Afro-rock band that blended highlife, funk, and jazz, paving the way for Kokoroko’s fusion approach.

2. Jazz & Soul

• Miles Davis – His innovative trumpet phrasing and genre-blending experimentation influence Kokoroko’s improvisational style.

• John Coltrane & Pharoah Sanders – Their spiritual and modal jazz elements can be heard in the band’s horn arrangements.

• Erykah Badu & D’Angelo – Neo-soul influences, particularly in the way they infuse groove and warmth into their compositions.

3. UK Jazz & Club Culture

• Ezra Collective & Nubya Garcia – Fellow members of the London jazz scene, with whom Kokoroko shares a passion for blending jazz with Afrocentric rhythms.

• UK Garage & Broken Beat – Elements of these styles occasionally surface in their rhythmic approach, tying them to London’s diverse club culture.

Their music is a living dialogue between tradition and modernity, honoring their West African influences while embracing contemporary jazz and London’s ever-evolving sound.

Their full-length debut album, Could We Be More (2022), expanded their sonic palette, incorporating deeper influences from West African music, jazz improvisation, and UK club culture. The album received critical acclaim for its lush instrumentation and vibrant, danceable energy.

Kokoroko is a key part of the contemporary UK jazz movement, bringing an Afrocentric perspective to modern jazz and connecting global audiences to the rich heritage of African and diasporic music.