R&B / Soul

AYLØ

Hazy, late-night neo-soul from the heart of Nigeria's alté scene. Submerged vocals and warm synths for moments of quiet introspection.

Browse Catalog
Intro

Listening to AYLØ feels like being underwater in a warm, neon-lit pool. The music is thick with atmosphere, characterized by lush, swirling synthesizers and a rhythmic pulse that feels more like a heartbeat than a drum kit. It is a sound that prioritizes mood over momentum, creating a cocoon of sound that feels both intimate and expansive. His voice often sits slightly back in the mix, treated with a soft blur that makes his lyrics feel like half-remembered dreams or whispered secrets.

What truly distinguishes AYLØ is his role as a pioneer of the Nigerian 'alté' movement, which rejects mainstream Afrobeats polish in favor of a raw, lo-fi, and globally-minded aesthetic. He blends the soulfulness of D'Angelo with the hazy textures of cloud rap and the experimental spirit of indie electronica. There is a specific kind of 'soul-searching' quality to his production; the beats often feel like they are breathing, expanding and contracting with a human touch that is rare in digital R&B.

For those new to his catalog, 'Insert Project Name' is the essential starting point. It captures the transition from a bedroom producer to a defining voice of a subculture. Tracks like 'wys?' showcase his ability to craft a hook that lingers in the air long after the song ends. It is the perfect soundtrack for anyone who finds beauty in the quiet, blurry hours of the night.

Elomaina Mafeni (born 30 September 1994), known professionally as Aylø, is a Nigerian neo-soul, and alternative R&B singer, songwriter, and music producer. He came into the music scene with an acclaimed mixtape album Insert Project Name, with lead track "wys?", featuring Cruel Santino. The accompanying music video for "wys?", was released on 26 May 2018, in collaboration with Samsung Nigeria, and HelaBase.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA →
Our Catalog3 Albums · 2017 · 2022
Known ForWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
Adjacent Artists
Albin Gromer
Albin Gromer

Shares neo-soul, candlelit, bedroom production, contemporary r&b (signature)

JGrrey
JGrrey

Shares neo-soul, serene, bedroom production, contemporary r&b (signature)

E
Eliza

Shares neo-soul, candlelit, serene, contemporary r&b (subgenre)

L
Lynn

Shares submerged vocal processing, neo-soul, candlelit, serene (detail)

CC
Clara Cava

Shares neo-soul, cloud rap, bedroom production, contemporary r&b (signature)

JT
Jean Tassy

Shares neo-soul, submerged vocal processing, cloud rap, serene (signature)

IO
Iman Omari

Shares lo fi, neo-soul, candlelit, serene (signature)

K
KATIE

Shares neo-soul, candlelit, contemporary r&b, crooning (signature)

FN
Friday Night Plans

Shares minimalist bass grooves, submerged vocal processing, neo-soul, serene (detail)

KP
Kaash Paige

Shares neo-soul, submerged vocal processing, cloud rap, bedroom production (signature)

Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →