I am a singer/songwriter and model residing in Chicago. To find out more about my musical endeavors and listen to my album at www.kokugonza.com. I am the daughter of an immigrant from Tanzania; my father gave my sisters and I traditional Tanzanian names to keep the tradition of his village in Bukoba, Tanzania alive. Although I was born and raised in America, I still keep intact with Tanzanian customs. I love to bike ride, dance, travel, and go to concerts when I’m not working on music or modeling. My life motto: Life has no rewind button so always live forward without regret.
Marita A: How long have you been natural?
Koku: I have been natural for seven years.
Marita A: What inspired you to go natural?
Koku: I got tired of dealing with the maintenance of having a perm and thinning hair. I was also curious about toying with my hair texture in its natural state.
Marita A: Who are your YouTube or Facebook “hairspirations”?
Koku: On Facebook I like to check out: My DNA and Entwine Naturalle Couture. On YouTube, I like to watch: Taren Guy and CharyJay . CharyJay is using one of my songs for her video on the home page, “This Beat Is For You”. Listen for it when you watch the video.
Marita A: What was the most difficult part of transitioning to natural?
Koku: The most difficult part of transitioning to natural was watching all of the shedding and breakage occur from the perm. It took 6 months for my hair to completely be chemical free. I wore braids and weaves a lot during the process. I decided to do my transition going into the fall, so keeping my hair covered wasn’t difficult. Finding the proper products to enhance my natural hair was the biggest issue after transitioning. In 2005, the products that we have now for natural hair were not formulated, so I had to rely on olive oil, coconut oil and whatever shampoo didn’t seem harsh for African American hair.
Marita A: How did your family, friends, spouse or significant other react to your hair’s new kinky texture?
Koku: My mother encouraged it, however not everyone in my family understood my purpose of wearing my hair natural. Most of my family thought of my hair as healthy because it was always long and straight. I didn’t consider my hair healthy at all which is why I decided to transition into going natural.
Marita A: What’s in your makeup bag?
Koku: Bare Minerals, that is all I wear. I have extremely sensitive skin. I only wear make up when I have a photo shoot or for my performances.
Marita A: How did you keep your skin naturally beautiful?
Koku: I drink tons of water, sweat every day from working out, and I drink a glass of carrot juice every night with my dinner.
Marita A: Did you go through any kind of personal/spiritual transformation while going through the process of going natural?
Koku: My personal transformation was the refreshed, renewed and energized feeling of knowing that the “perm and process stage” of my life was officially over. I wanted to take care of my body more, so I started working out when I grew my perm out. Everything just seemed new again. I’m relieved I never have to worry about smelling like rotten eggs are festering in my hair or my scalp is on fire ever again which is a blissful transformation. Every day that I get to play with my naturally curly hair is a blessing.
Marita A: What are some of your favorite hair styles?
Koku: Two strand twists, side ways corn rows, blow outs, bantu knot outs, two strand twist out, the natural fro, and braid out waves.
Marita A: What encouragement can you give to someone who maybe considering going natural?
Koku: Patience, Love and Acceptance are the key to understanding your natural state. Products are simple aides to enhance the beauty that is already there. Do not sell yourself short by assuming you have to have a certain curl pattern or texture to be beautiful. Embrace the words, Nappy, Kinky, Natty, Wavy and Coily!!! It’s always going to be you. No reason to change your hair or assimilate to society’s view of beauty regardless of the circumstance. If you can wake up every day and accept you, remember your hair is a part of you treat it like royalty; it will never fail you.
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