Achi Avelino (born 4 June 1993), better known mononymously by his stage name Avelino, is a British rapper and singer of Congolese and Angolan descent from Tottenham, London, known for his "unique tone" and "deep wordplay".[5]
Av | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Achi Avelino |
| Also known as | |
| Born | 4 June 1993 Tottenham, London, England[3] |
| Genres | British hip hop[4] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | More Music (2008–present) |
| Website | officialavelino |
Career
edit2011–2014: Beginnings
editOriginally rapping under the monikers AA (derived from his initials), Avelino first released freestyles on YouTube.[1] His debut mixtape, Underdog Music, was released in 2013 through More Music Records.[6][non-primary source needed][7][non-primary source needed] The project was credited by GRM Daily's Charlie-Louise Akintilo as being "edgy" and "refreshing".[8]
2014–2015: Commercial breakthrough and Iconic Ambition
editAvelino rose to prominence in 2014 following the release of his second mixtape, Iconic Ambition, which was featured on DJ Semtex's Mixtape Top 5 on BBC Radio 1Xtra.[9] He went on to support Stormzy on tour throughout 2015, having previously collaborated on the mixtape track "No Comment".[4][10]
2015–present: Collaboration with Wretch 32
editThroughout 2015, Avelino was championed by fellow Tottenham MC Wretch 32.[4] The two rappers released a joint mixtape, entitled Young Fire, Old Flame, on 18 December 2015, to positive reception. Avelino was Young Fire, whereas Wretch 32 was Old Flame.[2] The mixtape was accompanied by a Fire in the Booth freestyle on BBC Radio 1, which was heralded by host Charlie Sloth as the "hardest" Fire in the Booth of all time, and by Noiseys Joe Zadeh as "staggering".[11] Wretch and Avelino also collaborated on the promotional singles "M.O.E"[12] and "Freedom", as well as an unofficial remix of Kanye West's "No More Parties in LA", renamed "No More Parties in DSTRKT".[13] The two are scheduled to perform the mixtape at KOKO on 12 May 2016.[14]
On 7 April 2016, Avelino released his debut EP, FYO, for free download. It was executive produced by Raf Riley.[15] The project, which stands for Fuck Your Opinion, has received considerable support from BBC Radio 1; "Youniverse" has been played by MistaJam,[16] and the title track was added to 1Xtra's C-list playlist on 6–12 May 2016.[17][non-primary source needed] Supporters of the song include Annie Mac[18] and Charlie Sloth.[19] The EP topped Semtex's Mixtape Top 5 chart.[20] He is currently working on his debut studio album.[21]
Avelino released a new single, "On a Roll", for free download via SoundCloud on 30 August 2016. The song features guest vocals from Abra Cadabra, and has been played by DJ Target on 1Xtra. The same week, Avelino featured on Wretch 32's single "Open Conversation & Mark Duggan", released on 1 September 2016, a day prior to his third studio album, Growing Over Life.
On 10 February 2017, Avelino released a single titled "Energy" which features Skepta and Stormzy. The single was used by EA Sports game, FIFA 18 demo and is being touted as the headline song on FIFA 18 soundtrack. At the time of writing, Energy's official music video has racked up over 1.5 million views on YouTube and various remixes, notably with regular collaborator Wretch 32, have been released.
In May 2018, Avelino released "So Fine", featuring Haile WSTRN, which was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2023.[22] Later in 2018, he released "Boasy", featuring Not3s, which was certified silver by the BPI in 2019.[22]
Personal life
editAvelino is an avid supporter of Manchester United F.C.[23]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak
chart positions UK |
|---|---|---|
| GOD SAVE THE STREETS |
|
12 |
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| FYO |
|
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK [24] | ||
| Underdog Music |
|
— |
| Iconic Ambition |
|
— |
| Young Fire, Old Flame (with Wretch 32) |
|
— |
| No Bullshit |
|
— |
| Ego Kills |
|
— |
References
edit- ^ a b "*MM* AA / Bobby Brown Freestyle". 29 January 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Young Fire: A conversation with Avelino". GRM Daily. 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Walker, Joe (28 October 2015). "'Sorry Not Sorry', here's the new Avelino video". RWD Mag.
- ^ a b c Fennelly, Patrick (14 April 2015). "Interview – Avelino". MOBO Awards. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Avelino – The Great Escape". The Great Escape Festival. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Avelino new video "The Trip" from his... – More Music Records | Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Debut release by Avelino and the MMR team... – More Music Records |". facebook.com. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ Akintilo, Charlie-Louise (18 September 2012). "REVIEW: AVELINO – CRUNCH TIME". GRM Daily. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra – Semtex, Logic, Blade Brown and Young Fathers, Mixtape Top 5 with DJ Semtex". BBC. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "OddChild Music – Avelino". Odd Child Recordings. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Wretch 32's 1Xtra Freestyle Is Staggering, So Why Are His Singles so Bait? | NOISEY". noisey.vice.com. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Avelino shares new track 'M.O.E'". thefourohfive.com. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Listen: Wretch 32 and Avelino cover Kanye West on 'No More Parties in DSTRKT'". sbtv.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "YOUNG FIRE OLD FLAME – WRETCH 32 & AVELINO | KOKO London". koko.uk.com. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ Gardner, Constant (7 April 2016). "PREMIERE: Listen to London Rapper Avelino's Special 'F.Y.O.' EP". Pigeons and Planes.
- ^ "BBC – Radio 1Xtra". BBC. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Avelino on Twitter: "FXCK YOUR OPINION on the @bbc1xtra playlist ! Very happy right now". Twitter. 5 May 2016.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 – Annie Mac, Drake + Danger Mouse". BBC. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "BBC – Radio 1Xtra". BBC. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Semtex, Avelino joins Sem". BBC Radio 1Xtra. 8 April 2016.
- ^ Rana, Anil (9 November 2015). "Avelino Drops Some Serious Fire in the Booth". MTV. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b "British certifications – Avelino". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 July 2023. Type Avelino in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v rapper & Man Utd fan Avelino". BBC Sport. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Avelino | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2023.