Koku Gonza

Koku Gonza's music is parallel to the translation of her Tanzanian-Kihaya name, which means lovely. Her father a Tanzanian folk singer/songwriter and her mother a saxophonist set the tone for her world music inspired sound. With roots in both Tanzania and the U.S. her vocal style is intertwined with Nu Soul, Afro Beat, House and Jazz. Her light vocal texture captures the feeling of dancing on the clouds with the sun. Koku Gonza's sound and delivery has been compared to the late legends Bob Marley and Mama Africa-Miriam Makeba as well as timeless artists like Sade, Corrine Rae Bailey and Lianne La Havas.
Her new world-music inspired LP Love Culture is like a warm summer vacation in Tanzania, Brazil, Chicago and south of France. Experience an Afro-Brazilian soul trip with the sounds and visuals of Koku Gonza in her new video of the single from Love Culture, Clearest Sky at kokugonza.com. This self-produced single features international renowned bassist and composer Lonnie Plaxico, along with other breakout musicians like multi-instrumentalist fusion Artist William Kurk. Over the past five years, Koku Gonza has shared the stage with Saul Williams, Roy Ayers, Dwele, Osekre & The Lucky Bastards, Somi, Anthony David, Yahzarah, Denitia Odingie , Lynette Williams, and Eric Roberson to name a few.
When she’s not performing, she’s busy producing, writing and recording. Her song, L.O.V.E. served as the lead single from her studio album RADIOZOPHRENIC released in 2011. L.O.V.E. debuted on BET International, Channel O, and other media outlets that feature breakout artists. Following the successful release of her album Radiozophrenic, Koku Gonza completed her first music tour in France. She performed in 11 cities in France, and received rave reviews from various French media outlets like Soul Bag Magazine and +D’Afrique.
What’s next for Koku Gonza in 2015? Koku Gonza will present her LP LOVE CULTURE, in the United States, Europe and Africa in 2015. Dates will be published on her official website.