About KOku Gonza
Singer | Songwriter | Guitarist Koku Gonza's sound is often compared to legends like Sade, Zap Mama, Saida Karoli and Mariam Makeba as well as contemporary artists like Corrine Rae Bailey, Sia and Lianne La Havas. Koku Gonza thrives as an international independent artist. She is a Chicago-grown guitarist and vocalist of East African ancestry. Koku Gonza, the daughter of a Tanzanian folk singer, has played on stages entertaining an eclectic range of audiences on tours in Europe, Asia, and Africa. During the spring of 2016, Koku Gonza joined the 'Empire' television show as a cast pianist for the season finale. When she is not onstage, you may witness her rehearsal sessions around New York City's Subway Platforms.
After her debut on the internationally-acclaimed hit TV series, 'Empire', she relocated to New York City from Chicago. She released her hit single 'Conveniently Rolling', a soulful house track and music video on Circular Motion Records, which became a top 10 record in the soulful house genre with heavy streaming throughout Europe and South Africa. The success of 'Conveniently Rolling' earned Koku Gonza a two-month performance artist residency in Hong Kong, China.
After returning to the US,Koku Gonza's 2017 live performance schedule included performing alongside musical sensations Esperanza Spalding and Lindsey Webster at The Apollo Theatre's WOW Festival. Prior to touring Africa during Winter 2017, she debuted her Afro House single 'Penda Curious' through Anane and Louie Vegaβs Nulu Records, which debuted among the top 10 singles on the Afro-House music charts. Always allowing her creative spirit to lead new projects, Koku Gonza's tour through Africa included recording the collaborative, impromptu song and video 'Kukatika' while in Zanzibar (an island off the coast of Tanzania) using an iPad and Samsung Galaxy 8 phone. What does a full hands-on indie artist like Koku Gonza plan to do next? Follow her on all platforms to find out.
