Cleo Sol

Cléo Sol, born Cleopatra Zvezdana Nikolic on 24 March 1990, in Ladbroke Grove, London, is a distinguished English singer-songwriter celebrated for her contributions to the neo-soul genre. Raised in a musically inclined family—her parents being jazz musicians—she was exposed to a rich tapestry of sounds, including reggae, Motown, jazz, and Latin music, which have profoundly influenced her artistic development. Embarking on her musical journey in 2008, Cléo Sol featured on Tinie Tempah's single "Tears." She subsequently signed with DaVinChe's Dirty Canvas and Island Records, releasing tracks like "High" and "Never the Right Time (Who Do You Love)" in 2011. After a brief hiatus from 2012 to 2017, she returned with the EP Winter Songs in 2018. Her debut studio album, Rose in the Dark, followed in 2020, earning critical acclaim and securing spots on several year-end lists. In 2021, Cléo Sol released her sophomore album, Mother, further solidifying her reputation in the music industry. Demonstrating remarkable productivity, she unveiled two albums in September 2023: Heaven and Gold. Both works received widespread praise. Beyond her solo endeavors, Cléo Sol is the lead vocalist for the British musical collective Sault, known for their enigmatic presence and genre-defying sound. Despite their critical acclaim, the group maintains a low profile, seldom performing live or engaging in interviews. Cléo Sol's music is characterized by its soulful depth and introspective lyricism, drawing inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott. Her collaborations with producer Inflo (Dean Josiah Cover), who is also her husband, have been instrumental in crafting her distinctive sound. The couple welcomed their first child in 2021, a life event that has influenced her musical themes, particularly in the album Mother. She released the "Fear When You Fly" single in 2024.