TAVES
‘ENCHANTÉ’
(Atlantic)
AFRO-SOUL SINGER TAVES RELEASES DEBUT EP ARE YOU LISTENING?
NEW FOCUS TRACK ‘ENCHANTÉ’ IS THE FAN FAVOURITE
Rising Afro Soul sensation Taves, releases his debut EP Are You Listening? and sets fan favourite as focus track ‘Enchante’
With production contributions from the likes of TSB [Stormzy Dave J Hus] P. Priime [WizKid Fireboy DML], Tempo [BNXN] and Semzi [Victony Reekado Banks] to name a few. The EP is available to stream/purchase HERE.
Are You Listening? is Taves’s debut project which delves deep into his world, allowing us to explore and digest his influences, thoughts and feelings. Steeped heavily in the cultural sounds of his hometown of Ibadan Nigeria, the project also serves as a symbol for achieving your dreams, aspirations and never giving up.
Speaking about the project Taves explains;
“My EP Are You Listening? represents me and my growth as an artist. Working on this EP I had so much to prove, not just to the people that love me and my music, but to myself. It’s a body of work that me and my team have poured our hearts and souls into and I hope it resonates with people as much as it does with us. More than anything, I want it to serve as a symbol of hope to anyone that feels like they wanna start on their own journey. Don’t ever lose hope or confidence in what you believe in because it’s only you that can turn your dreams into reality.”
The EP showcases Taves’s distinct vocals and unique twist on the genre of Afro swing. Peppered with RnB and neo soul influences, Are You Listening? features 8 tracks that takes us from the subdued, ‘Apology’, laced with a choir led chorus, to the uptempo vibe of ‘CWT’ featuring BNXN, which hones in on being carefree and joyous.
Alongside the EP Taves also debuted his new single ‘In the City’, a track that skilfully draws us in with its addictive beat and bass guitar, fusing together the sounds of the East and West. Watch visualiser HERE.
Revealed as this week’s cover for Apple Music’s Africa Rising, Taves is swiftly rising to the top of the Afro scene. Social media has newly nicknamed him the ‘Prince of Ibadan’ and is rapidly being recognised across the globe for his unique Afro/RnB sound. He’s the first artist putting his hometown of Ibadan firmly on the musical map, mirroring artists like Rema, the first to rep for the city of Benin and Burna Boy, standing up for Port Harcourt.
The 20 year old singer/songwriter was first discovered online by Nigerian artist BNXN (FKA BUJU) who came across Taves’s cover of his track ‘For Days’. Impressed with his distinct vocals, BNXN saw great potential and began to mentor him on his musical journey.
Born Toluwanimi Ayomide Aluko, Taves was raised in Ibadan Nigeria and first discovered his love for music via the long road trips taken with his father, constantly hearing his dad’s favourite musicians on their journeys, like Commander Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade and famed Nigerian artist Fela Kuti. But it was the sound of Nigerian soul singer ASA that caught Tave’s attention, citing her as one of his influences, he then took the plunge and surrendered his computer science course at university to pursue his dream of creating music.
Taves is at full tilt, becoming an exceptional talent with his unique vocals and genre bending sounds. Afro soul’s newest star is definitely one to watch.
