Artist Profile: kokoroko
Kokoroko pulses at the heart of London’s global music scene—a vibrant eight-piece collective channeling the spirit of West African rhythms, the innovation of jazz, and the collective energy of the diaspora. Their music is more than sound; it’s a movement, a celebration, and a reclamation of heritage, making them one of the most influential ensembles shaping contemporary jazz and Afrobeat today.
Background and Early Influences
Kokoroko’s roots trace back to a 2014 arts trip in Kenya, where trumpeter and bandleader Sheila Maurice-Grey and percussionist Onome Edgeworth bonded over a shared vision: to authentically represent and revitalize Afrobeat and Highlife for a new generation. Their connection was forged not just by musical taste, but by a desire to address the lack of representation and ownership of West African music within the British scene. Drawing from heritage—Maurice-Grey’s family hails from Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, Edgeworth grew up immersed in African music and culture—they recruited like-minded musicians from London’s Trinity Laban Conservatory and Tomorrow’s Warriors, institutions renowned for nurturing Black jazz talent. The band’s name, “Kokoroko,” comes from the Nigerian Urhobo language, meaning “be strong,” a fitting mantra for their mission and music.
Musical Evolution and Key Works
Kokoroko’s ascent began in earnest with 2018’s “Abusey Junction,” a plaintive ballad recorded in a single afternoon that unexpectedly became a streaming sensation, amassing over 75 million listens and winning Track of the Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards. Their self-titled debut EP followed in 2019, its vinyl run selling out and cementing their reputation as leaders of the resurgent London jazz scene.
The band’s debut album, Could We Be More (2022), marked a leap in artistry—a sinewy, groove-driven blend of Afrobeat, Highlife, and jazz, produced with Miles James. The album earned critical acclaim from The Guardian, The Telegraph, and CRACK Magazine, and reached No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart. Kokoroko’s live shows—renowned for their powerful all-female horn section and energetic improvisation—became a staple at festivals across Europe, Australia, and Canada.
Their artistic ambitions expanded with Could We Be More Remixes, which invited electronic artists like KeiyaA and Vanyfox to reinterpret their tracks through afro-house, amapiano, Detroit house, and techno, further blurring genre lines and broadening their audience.
Cultural Impact and Significance
Kokoroko stands as a standard-bearer for a new wave of Black British musicians reclaiming and reimagining the legacy of West African music. Their work confronts questions of authenticity and representation, offering music that resonates with both the diaspora and global audiences. Their presence has contributed to a “course correction” in London’s jazz scene, creating space for young, diverse artists and challenging the industry’s historical boundaries.
Accolades have followed: “Abusey Junction” was named Track of the Year at the Worldwide Awards, and Kokoroko won Best Group at the 2020 Urban Music Awards. Their 2022 BBC Proms performance at the Royal Albert Hall marked a milestone for Afrobeat’s presence in prestigious classical venues.
Current Projects and Future Outlook
In 2025, Kokoroko released their much-anticipated second studio album, Tuff Times Never Last, signaling a new chapter in their sound—one informed by London’s musical melting pot and the resilience implied in the album’s title. The band’s current lineup features Sheila Maurice-Grey (trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals), Onome Edgeworth (percussion), Anoushka Nanguy (vocals/trombone), Ayo Salawu (drums), Duane Atherley (bass), Tobi Adenaike-Johnson (guitar), and Yohan Kebede (keys).
Recent tours have seen Kokoroko headline major festivals across Europe and North America, their live performances lauded for their dynamism and communal energy. Collaborations with electronic and dance artists continue to push their sound into new territories, ensuring their music remains as forward-thinking as it is rooted in tradition.
As they enter their second decade, Kokoroko is poised to further shape the global narrative of jazz and Afrobeat, their music a testament to identity, resilience, and the enduring power of communal creativity.
📚 Sources & References
[2]Kokoroko: Evolving the Legacy of West African Music →
[4]Kokoroko - Holican Entertainment →
[5]Getting to know Kokoroko: The 7 Piece Afrobeat Jazz Band Built On … →
[6]Kokoroko: A living legacy - Akbank Sanat →
[8]KOKOROKO, the many moods of afro-jazz - Pan African Music →
Sources automatically gathered from web search.