Kunle

Kunle is a Nigerian acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter based in Canada.

Kunle’s folk and soul music bridges contemporary styles with roots in West African rhythms and stories. He is known for displaying rich vocals, unique guitar tapping, harmonica skills and talking drum techniques that take audiences into what he terms as "music with no boundaries". 

Grounded in traditions of oral history, Kunle’s music often starts from a West African riddle or proverb that progresses to rhythms and sounds from different cultures to tell a story. In his song 'But a Dream', he fuses the childhood nursery rhyme 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' with Mediterranean musical styles and fingerpicking techniques. In 'Ori Okere Lawo', he narrates a proverb about listening to advice and accompanies the story with an acoustic melody that is based on Yoruba folklore. The effect is a richly melodic and contemporary style of West African tradition and music.  

Kunle is a Furch Guitar Czech Republic and Stonebridge Guitar Canada certified artist. He has performed in West Africa, Europe and across Canada. In October 2017, Kunle showcased the fusion of contemporary roots music with string instrumentation in a concert he directed and headlined alongside a five-piece band and string quartet at the Alliance Française d’Accra Amphitheatre in Ghana. 

Kunle has also performed at Mariposa Folk Festival, Habari African Festival, Maawanji’iding: Festival Canadiana Owen Sound, Summer Folk: A Month of Sundays Aboard MS Chi-Cheemaun, Ossfest Toronto, YYZ Live - Toronto Pearson, Asiko World Festival, Blue Skies Folk Festival, Peterborough Folk Festival, Africa Day Festival Hamburg and for the first time at the 42nd annual Summerfolk Festival 2018.

In 2015, Kunle’s song 'My Little Fingers' was awarded the Best Instrumental Award by Folk Music Ontario. As of May 2019, he was working on a LP titled 'Freedom' slated for release later in the year.

In the press:

“Join Kunle as he leaves you basking with gentleness and optimism.” – Mike Hill, Artistic Director, Mariposa Folk Festival


“With an assured stage presence, his maturity as an artist allowed his collaborators to shine along with their lead. Afro-Folk Prince.”– Just Music concert series, Accra Unplugged, Accra Ghana

“Great concert by Kunle @AFAccra. Thanks for bringing some new Canadian music to Accra! Looking forward to your next visit.” – The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Heather Cameron