Kokoroko: Resilience Through Melody
Established in 2014, the Afrobeat and jazz group Kokoroko was first born out of a mutual affection for music shared between Sheila Maurice-Grey and Onome Edgeworth during a fateful outing in Kenya. Fuelled by a craving to unite young individuals from the African diaspora with the Afrobeat and Highlife genres, Kokoroko was quickly drawn into the rising London jazz scene, demonstrating their musical prowess at various shows. The group’s big break arrived in 2018 with the introduction of their tune ‘Abusey Junction’ to Gilles Peterson’s ‘We Out Here’ compilation. This laid-back ballad, recorded over a single afternoon, skyrocketed in popularity, accumulating an incredible 75 million streams.
Following this success, the band spent the subsequent years honing their unique sound through continuous touring and music workshops. The band’s first independent EP was released in 2019, selling over 20,000 copies on vinyl, before being thwarted by the pandemic. In 2022, with mounting anticipation and the assistance of producer Miles James, Kokoroko unveiled their debut album ‘Could We Be More’. This powerful fusion of Afrobeat, Highlife, and jazz earned praises from highly regarded publications such as The Guardian, The Telegraph, Financial Times, and CRACK Magazine. Topping off its acclaim, the album secured a spot within the UK Albums Chart’s top 40, peaking at No. 30.
Kokoroko’s discography took a transformative leap with ‘Could We Be More Remixes’. Featuring contributions from diverse artists such as KeiyaA, Ash Lauryn, Stefan Ringer, Vanyfox, and Hagan, the original songs were tastefully remixed, bringing afro-house, amapiano, Detroit house, future bounce, and techno elements into the band’s repertoire.
July 11th, 2025, marks the date for their much-anticipated second studio album ‘Tuff Times Never Last’, via Brownswood Recordings. This collection of work navigates the contrasting themes of life, underscoring the concept of resilience and celebrating the beauty born out of adversity. Edgeworth explains the album’s title story as recognizing that “a lot of that beauty comes out of challenges and difficulties. Even in memory, the times that were tough tend to sweeten up”.
Reflecting the band’s evolution over the past decade, ‘Tuff Times Never Last’ reveals the unparalleled creativity of Kokoroko, which involves an array of influences from 80s Brit-funk, neo-soul, West African disco, bossa nova, lovers rock, and funk. The album exhibits about 40 minutes of a universal portrayal of black diasporic music sounds from past decades to the present-day. Showcasing a more lively and party-like tone, Edgeworth says the shift towards up-tempo music was intentional, noting the need for fun and playfulness in their performances.
A poignant track within the album is ‘My Father’, featuring vocals reminiscent of 90s R&B vocal groups. The piece offers a moment of quiet reflection, speaking of the deep faith between a person and their father in heaven. Emphasizing the band’s growth as songwriters, ‘Tuff Times Never Last’ pays homage to the ensemble’s love for music, coupled with the acknowledgment of their inspirations such as Loose Ends and 52nd Street. The album, reflecting the lessons learned over the years, is a tribute to Kokoroko’s true identity. As a testament to their evolving sound and style, Maurice-Grey confidently declares that the band is beginning to feel a sense of freedom to explore their creativity.
Furthermore, the band’s new release, a summer single titled ‘Just Can’t Wait’, serves as a musical beacon of hope and upliftment. Kokoroko is propelling into the future with their roots grounded in the past and a vision for the dreams of tomorrow. With ‘Tuff Times Never Last’, Kokoroko is poised at a dynamic crossroads in their careers, inviting us to partake in their next musical chapter.
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