Meet Koku Gonza

Origins

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Koku Gonza is a Tanzanian-American Afro-soul artist celebrated for her rich fusion of Afrobeat, R&B, and neo-soul. Bridging the vibrant energies of Dar es Salaam and Brooklyn, her sound reflects the depth and elegance of the African diaspora—drawing comparisons to icons like Sade and Miriam Makeba. A D’Angelico-endorsed guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Koku’s sultry voice and soulful compositions have resonated with audiences across continents.

She has graced international and community stages including the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, the IATF Creative African Nexus in Cairo, and her video “Zanzibar” was featured at the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Her 2025 performances include the Jumatano Music Series at Alliance Française in Dar es Salaam, the Experience Tanzania Festival, Afro Diasporic Ocean Festival, FAB NYC Open Arts Music Series, and the Colored Colors Good Bye Summer Festival—all in New York City.

Koku’s current project, Young Maandazi (2026), is a six-song collaboration with acclaimed Ghanaian bassist and music producer Nee Mantse. The two artists worked together for over three years to create a project inspired by Koku’s journeys across Africa and her Afro-diasporic experience. Featuring the tracks “Unasema”, “Motto,” “Utamu,” “Market Lady,” “Sina Be Shy,” and “Life Line,” the project blends Swahili and English lyrics with Ghanaian highlife and neo-soul influences. Her travels through Egypt, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cape Verde, and Morocco deeply inform the sound and stories woven into the album.

Rooted in her Tanzanian heritage, Young Maandazi was created to inspire more positive curiosity about Africa. Koku’s name—derived from the Haya tribe and meaning “the one who loves”—perfectly reflects her mission: to create music that connects, uplifts, and celebrates the beauty of African identity and global unity.