Kunlé

Award-winning Toronto-based producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Kunlé (Adekunle Olorundare), whose music moves between folk, soul and the deep well of West African storytelling, was born into a musical family in Nigeria and his work draws on Yoruba proverbs, acoustic traditions and the pulse of contemporary global music. He has captivated audiences for over 10 years with his debut EP and inspiring live performances, which weave rich vocals, fingerstyle guitar, talking drum, harmonica and piano into a sound he describes as “music with no boundaries.”

His highly-anticipated new album ‘Kunlé – The Journey’ is now set for a 2026 release, and the album kicks off with a double-single pre-release – Ilé L’àbọ̀ (featuring a new video) and Cabana – on Friday, March 6, 2026 on all music streaming platforms.

The songs on ‘Kunlé – The Journey’ were recorded in Kunlé’s home studio in Toronto and at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, ON. It was produced at Catherine North with Kunlé as co-producer and Will Crann (Blue Rodeo, Whitehorse, Feist, The Glorious Sons and more) as co-producer and recording engineer.

In recent years, Kunlé’s creative path expanded. These experiences shaped the new phase in his practice – one that blends music, memory and performance in ways that feel both intimate and cinematic, and culminates into his 2026 sophomore album release ‘Kunlé – The Journey’ (exact release date to be announced soon).

Kunlé’s 2024 debut at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, performing alongside South African icon Thandiswa Mazwai marked an important artistic moment, placing his sound on one of Canada’s most prestigious stages. Theatre credits include the 2024 Dora Mavor Moore Awards with a win for outstanding production and a nomination for outstanding sound design and composition for co-scoring Soulpepper Theatre’s ‘Three Sisters,’ a nomination for the 2022 Premier's Awards for his role as music director, composer and performer in Stratford Festival’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman,’ and guitarist for the Canadian Opera Company’s 2024 opera ‘Aportia Chryptych.’ Plus, his composition “My Little Fingers” won the Folk Music Ontario Award for best instrumental in 2015, leading to endorsements from Furch Guitars and Stonebridge Guitars.

Reviewers often note Kunlé’s warmth and endearing presence onstage. Mike Hill, former Artistic Director of Mariposa Folk Festival, wrote, “Join Kunle as he leaves you basking with gentleness and optimism.” And the 2019 Just Music Concert Series, Accra Unplugged, Accra, Ghana offered concisely, “Afro-Folk Prince.”

“Kunlé, originally from Nigeria, was totally engaging.” – veteran promoter Richard Flohil, Artists You Should Look Out For, Stories from the Edge of Music, March 7, 2025.

“...he settled in Canada in 2014. ...Almost immediately, he was booked to play the Mariposa Folk Festival, prompting him to record a five-song EP in 2015.” – Heather Kitching, Roots Music Canada, June 4, 2023.

Kunlé’s artistry is grounded in the traditions he grew up with – riddles, chants, parables and the communal way stories are carried. That foundation shapes everything he creates. Whether reimagining childhood songs or unfolding ancestral proverbs, his compositions travel between continents while remaining deeply...