Taves is a fearless force in Afropop, forging a lane entirely his own. With hypnotic flows, ethereal melodies, and
genre-blurring experimentation, the Ibadan native creates music that feels instinctual, transcendent, and
emotionally raw. Since breaking out online with his viral song covers and rising up the ranks of Nigeria’s music
scene, he’s moved fluidly through Afrobeats, trap-infused R&B, and avant-garde synth-pop—all while staying
rooted in his truth as a visionary artist.
Raised on a dizzying blend of weekly Sunday service and the music of Aṣa, Whitney Houston, XXXtentacion, Juice
WRLD, and Khalid, Taves (born Toluwanimi Ayomide Aluko) began writing music with a level of vulnerability and
artistic diversity that immediately set him apart. He started dropping music in 2019, a slew of mixtapes and
singles with boundary-pushing production and emotional depth, pushing the edges of alternative Afrobeats.
Then his 2021 EP, 18, complete with stripped-back, lo-fi beats and deeply personal songwriting, spoke of longing,
love, and teen angst. It showcased Taves’ unique voice and genre-defying style, earning him a dedicated fanbase
who sees him as both mouthpiece and mirror.
