KUKU was born to immigrant parents in Miami Florida as Abdulzatar, Adebola, Abisoye, … Kuku. At the tender age of two he returned to Lagos Nigeria where he was nourished on high doses of traditional Yoruba classics such as Apala, Fuji, Juju, and Waka music, along with his parent's extensive imported vinyl collections of American soul music, Reggae, Country Western and other world sounds.
In 1993, he returned to United States to further his education. While attending college in Maryland, he dabbled in part time jobs then he later joined the United States Army in order to finance his rising tuition costs. After graduation KUKU worked as a graphic designer for different government agencies until one day in May of 2002 he bought a ninety-nine dollar acoustic guitar that day, and Soldier of Peace began his musical journey.
In 2004, he also began to travel and perform across the United States as a soloist while copies of his EP "Love Session" quickly circulated across the US and abroad. His heartfelt lyrics and honest voice brought him to the attention of documentary movie producer, Casey Callister who commissioned him to write a song for his movie, Ballou, a documentary film. KUKU's voice was heard at several of the movies notable film festival screenings and even at the United States White House.
In a two hour session in July 2007, KUKU recorded "The Absence of Cool", a solo guitar and vocal album. The album's concept asked listeners to stop enslaving themselves to the concept of "cool," - with cool being the absence of emotion - and instead join him on a musical journey to the raw emotions deep in their souls. As KUKU's legend grew, he earned the name "The African Music Medicine Man" perhaps, because of the perceived healing power of his voice.
A meeting in December 2008 brought about KUKU first collaboration album with Banjoist Joe "Sticky Mulligan" Smith. The two, under the name "The Savory Papas," released a collection of nine songs titled "Love in Time of Hope ad Recession". The album was released and distributed by Believe Digital, France in May 2009.
Soldier of Peace is the next chapter in KUKU's music evolution. KUKU explores his roots more than ever on this record. The beauty of Yoruba language shines through like the tropical sun on this record. Those who think Afro beat is greatest music export of Nigeria, think again. Have you heard the "Soldier of Peace?"