For Fans Of: Stormzy, AJ Tracey, Kano
Achi Avelino, a rapper from Tottenham who goes only by his last name, brings innate lyricism, unique vocal tones and challenging production to create an incredibly fresh and original sound.
Aged just 26, he’s already put his name aside some of the biggest in UK hip hop and grime. His second mixtape Iconic Ambition (2014) features top names such as Bonkaz and Stormzy, the latter which would go on to take Avelino on his sold-out UK tour in 2015. The release became his breakthrough as BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Semtex featured it in his Top 5 Mixtape list, above projects by the likes of Rich Gang, Yungen and Loyle Carner.
With the incredible year that Avelino had, DJ, producer and radio host Charlie Sloth had no choice to call him up for a session on his Fire In The Booth freestyle performance, and described him as “an absolute animal”. Skepta was also quick to voice how impressed he was at the performance, saying “Avelino killed that freestyle”. One month later Avelino returned with fellow Tottenham rapper and chart-topper Wretch 32 for another round at Fire In The Booth, which broke the show’s record of the fastest million views and has amassed 13 million views.
After this great success, Avelino stepped up his game for third mixtape Young Fire, Old Flame, released in late 2015. It was a joint effort between himself and Wretch 32, with the title conveying Avelino as the youth of UK rap while Wretch 32 is a well-experienced veteran in comparison. Working fast as ever, he was soon ready for his debut EP to arrive just four months later. The incredible FYO contains five refined tracks that showcase the very best of the artist. It was heavily supported by BBC Radio 1 and 1 Xtra as DJs Annie Mac, MistaJam, DJ Target, Semtex and Charlie Sloth gave its singles regular plays on their shows.
Riding an incredible high, his featured roster just kept climbing as he released the single ‘Energy’ featuring grime heavyweights Stormzy and Skepta in February 2017. EA Sports used the track for their FIFA 18 soundtrack, boosting streams for the original track to over 10 million, while other artists from Wretch 32 to Blackpool punks Strange Bones remixed and covered the hit. Continuing the year working hard, by October his fire series of mixtapes were back as his latest long-form release No B*llshit came in full force. Unlike previously though, this time the focus was almost all on his solo talent, making exceptions for Dave and MJ Cole to feature on two of the twelve tracks.
The past two year have been filled with more top-tier singles as Avelino prepares for his next collection. The most recent single, ‘Higher Power’ came in November and is a small taster of his debut album which is currently in the works. Speaking of the track and his past, he said “Music, the early days, the mix tapes, it all came from being in the community, it was my way of having voice. I wasn’t one to talk to a counsellor or talk to parents. Music was my form of communication. ‘Higher Power’ – it’s all about positivity, it’s uplifting. The rap braggadocious, it’s in there, but that’s just the energy I’m trying to give out to the world. I’m trying to push positivity.”
He recently teased on socials that new tunes are on the way shortly, so keep your eyes peeled for the next big hit!
Facebook – /officialavelino
Twitter – @officialavelino
Avelino will perform at The Underworld, Camden as part of AMP London on 5th March.
Tags: amp london / avelino / introducing