KAIRO: Nigerian Twin Brothers Redefining Genre-Blending Music From Houston to LA
EJ and AK Odijighoro, aka, KAIRO
For twin brothers EJ and AK Odijighoro, music is a calculated, ever-evolving craft. Together, they make up KAIRO, a genre-blending duo whose roots stretch from Nigeria to Houston to Los Angeles. Their path to artistry is as layered as their music: church beginnings, immigrant grit, and a relentless drive to become the kind of artists they once dreamed of hearing when they were younger.
“KAIRO is a Nigerian-born, Houston-raised, LA-based duo,” EJ explains. “We make a lot of genres of music, but at the core, it’s about feeling.” Raised in Texas with a pastor father and consistently being around the gospel, the twins developed a deep appreciation for diverse vocals, harmony, and soul.
Their artistic vision crystallized further in Los Angeles. “LA taught us that when you combine grit and talent in a city full of creators, you maximize your chances of success,” EJ reflects.
To meet that success, KAIRO has made sure to push all the boundaries standing in their way. One of their signatures is releasing both a full production and a stripped-down version of their songs. “If the song isn’t good stripped, it’s not good at all,” EJ says. “You should be able to feel something just from the guitar and lyrics.” AK adds, “It’s about showing range and appealing to different audiences without hiding behind production.”
KAIRO performing at Irving Plaza in NYC
Their twin bond is also a creative advantage. The two shared that they have a built-in check and balance. If one of them writes something that’s mid, they’ll make sure to tell one another. That dynamic confidence and trust are what fuel their sound and stage presence. Visually, their use of bold red and an asterisk logo has helped shape the iconic KAIRO brand, along with them being twins. “Can you find me without words?” EJ asks. “That was a big thing for us.”
As their identity sharpened visually and sonically, so did their storytelling. Their debut album, ARE WE THERE YET?, marked a turning point. “We used to write love songs for the sake of it,” AK admits. “Now, it’s about writing from our lives. Immigration, heartbreak, moving across the world.” That vulnerability has created a personal, polished soundscape and unmistakably KAIRO.
As for what’s next? “We have some heaters on the way,” EJ promises. But more than anything, the brothers are focused on being the voices they never saw growing up.
“Shout out to all the immigrant kids doing art and being creative,” EJ says. “Keep doing it.”
Listen to Leche Mag’s top three KAIRO songs:
