Kanukai: Council Estate to Glastonbury 2025

"Think Hendrix meets Cobain in a 21st-century psychedelic soul soundscape." That’s the sonic signature of Kanukai, an artist whose rise from council estate beginnings to headlining some of the UK’s most iconic stages has been nothing short of explosive. Named in The Sunday Times Culture Magazine for his raw, genre-bending talent, Kanukai brings a blistering energy to every performance—whether it’s tearing up the stage at 93 Feet East, igniting the O2 Academy Islington, or shaking the walls of Brighton’s Green Door Store. He’s not just making waves—he’s setting the scene on fire.

Paul Waller — who’s worked with everyone from BB King to Björk — called your music “Jimi meets Cobain in a 21st-century R&B-tinged incarnation.” How do you personally describe your sound, and how did it evolve into this psychedelic soul-rock fusion?

If I had to put a label on it, I’d say “Grungy Psych Soul” but I’m not a fan of labelling things. I think music is the same as colour, you can't imagine a new colour no matter how hard you try & you can’t compose what you’ve never heard before. Therefore I often try to avoid putting myself into a box, opting to throw the box away entirely with a strong focus of just trusting whatever comes out of me. It evolved into the soul rock fusion it is now as I absolutely love Frank Sinatra, Nile Rodgers and Stevie Wonder. But I guess there’s some angst buried within me that ultimately comes up to the surface too. Nothing is able to offer me a release like music does.

Your solo project is now celebrating its first birthday — congrats! What pushed you to go solo, and what have you learned about yourself as an artist in this first year on your own?

I started out playing guitar in various bands; after each show hearing the crowds go crazy, I was left with the bittersweet feeling “I could do this!”. As soon as I had four songs ready I took the dive & formed my band, rehearsing for a month before my first gig. I did however underestimate the jump into being a frontman. One thing I immediately learnt is that just because you want something to be good, doesn’t mean that it’ll be good. It takes a consistent & relentless drive to be better every single day. The best decision I made was to get gigging right away because even if you sound good in the rehearsal studio, playing live is a different game entirely.

There’s something unmistakably raw and electric about your live performances. How do you prepare for a show, and what do you hope people feel when they see you on stage?

I’m fortunate enough to live in the countryside so when it’s showday, a walk outside is a must to get my mind ready for the day ahead. Otherwise, there’s not too much preparation other than rehearsing. I want the audience to feel alive, to be able to drop whatevers bothering them & to be free! The best way for that to happen is to live that myself, creating a cathartic ebb & flow of energy. I think it’s impossible to leave one of my shows without smiling. I love what I do & I think audiences are really able to feed off that.

You’ve been featured in The Sunday Times and praised by heavyweights in the industry — but who’s an artist or influence people might be surprised to find on your playlist?

I’m willing to die on a hill for this but I think “Magnolia” by Playboi Carti is one of the best songs of the 2010’s. It doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is and the energy is so contagious! Another is “The Cup” by Dave Blunts. I have no idea why I like that one but I can’t stop listening, I think it’s because it’s got so many words!