Tottenham bread Avelino is a name you need to get to know. The Congolese London rapper can sing, spit and rhyme better than most could ever dream to. Known for his deep lyrical content, Avelino first came onto the scene with his mixtape Underdog Music in 2013 after previously being known as AA and Bobby Brown, but it wasn’t until 2015 where his name really began to circle. Starting with supporting Stormzy on his tour as he was on his climb to fame, the year was set to be a good one, but on December 18th things really took off. Wretch 32 is a grime OG and had been singing Avelino’s praises but on this day was the release of their joint mixtape Young Fire, Old Flame. Despite barely writing down lyrics when he enters the booth, lyrically, he never fails to deliver incredible wordplay with his iconic tone and this mixtape truly shows that off. Accompanied by what Charlie Sloth describes as the ‘hardest’ Fire In The Booth of all time, the album received an outstanding reception and since then the only way for Avelino has been up. If Stormzy and Wretch 32 weren’t big enough names for you, Avelino found himself collaborating with fellow Tottenham legend Skepta in February 2017 too. Big collaborations are no stranger to this man, there really is no impossibilities for who he could jump on a track with next. You really ought to check out Avelino’s whole discography but here are just three classics.
Fire In The Booth
This is the best FITB, no question. The two stars are poetic over their beats, with emotion pouring into every bar to create an all-around epic performance. Even Charlie Sloth gets too gassed and that seemed impossible before this moment. This is without a doubt some of the best 10 minutes of visual content the UK Rap scene has produced.
So Fine
Collaborating with WSTRN’s Haile, this song almost feels like it came from America, but the second Avelino touches mic it all feels so incredibly natural. He rides this beat effortlessly and the whole track has such a beautifully raw feel to it with catchy lyrics throughout. Haile’s chorus will undoubtedly be looping in your head after a first listen.
Energy
What a line up. You really can’t ask for much more. Part of the Fifa 18 soundtrack, this one made it to BBC Radio 1 playlisting and was absolutely everywhere. The track’s title is exactly what this song is all about; high energy from all three performers. ‘Energy’ really does show the breadth of this man’s style and talents.
At 26, Avelino has already done it all. Collaborations to the highest degree, a Fifa track! What comes next?! Well, up until this week, his last single ‘FACTS’ had come out on the 11th October 2018, over a year ago now, so it was about time he dropped something new. Cue ‘Cassius Clay’, the new single by Avelino and Dave and what a collaboration it is. On BBC Radio 1xtra this week with DJ Target, Avelino said “rapping is a skill…can you rap with the Gods?” and this track shows that he definitely can. Avelino did not come to play with this one, it’s all about the bars. Listen to it a few times and you’ll still be picking up new clever wordplay with each spin, this one is for the lyricists. Notably, a lot of his previous full bodies of work has been dropped for free download, so maybe it’s finally time for a debut album. Whatever happens, we need to hear more.
