Born Aluko Toluwanimi rising star Taves has carved out a unique space in the Nigerian music industry, blending Afrobeat and R&B into a sound that is both fresh and deeply rooted in tradition.
With cultures bouncing between Ibadan, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. At just nine years old, he discovered his passion for music, singing along to his favourite songs and later covering tracks from artists like BNXN, Ckay, and Tems. By his teens, his covers gained traction in 2022, and his rendition of BNXN’s hit “For Days” became a breakthrough moment, catching the attention of the industry.
His viral cover led to a collaboration with BNXN, and soon after, he released his debut single “Eleyele” under To Your Ears Entertainment. The track showcased his ability to fuse Afrobeat’s infectious rhythms with R&B’s emotive storytelling, earning him a dedicated fanbase. His recent collaborations with BNXN and up-and-comers like Lifesize Teddy and Idahams suggest he’s also building a sound that won’t just pop – it’ll last.
Let’s get one thing clear: Taves is not an Afrobeats artist. At least, not in the traditional sense. Yes, the roots are there – percussion swings, soulful phrasing, Yoruba echoes – but what sets him apart is his refusal to be boxed.

His sound fuses Afropop, R&B, soul, folk, and it’s that genre-blur that makes every Taves record feel fresh. His music carries the essence of Afrobeat, yet his vocal delivery and lyrical depth borrow heavily from R&B’s emotional core. They tell stories, evoke emotions, and create connections.
Tracks like “Folake”, the flirtatious mid-tempo anthem that’s part bedroom jam, part love letter, showcase his ability to craft catchy hooks, while “Bodija” is the kind of track that sounds like sunrise in Lagos after a long night of soul-searching. His music resonates with a generation that craves authenticity, and his ability to infuse personal experiences into his lyrics makes him relatable to fans across different backgrounds.
In 2024, Atlantic Records UK signed him and he’s since gotten over 34 million streams across platforms without even dropping a full-length project.

By March 2025, Billboard named him African Rookie of the Month, calling him “a fresh alternative to the mainstream Afrobeats sound.” Industry vets took notice. He landed a nomination for Headies Rookie of the Year 2025 – a category known for shaping the next decade of African music.
In an industry obsessed with virality, Taves is part of the new wave of Nigerian artists proving that you can be soulful, soft-spoken, and still find homes far beyound his local streets.
Off-stage, Taves is all introspective and calm. He’s not afraid of silence, minimalism, or sadness – all of which feature heavily in his production style. Still, he’s no stranger to ambition.
Taves is currently cooking up his debut EP, with whispers of guest features from Asa, Lojay, and Tems. Rumor has it he’s also working with Ghanaian star King Promise on a pan-African alt-R&B crossover record. And oui, he’s aiming for a full debut album by early 2026. If it’s anything like the singles we’ve heard so far, expect something cinematic, genre-agonistic, and emotionally intense.

If you’re looking for your next audio obsession, Taves catalog belongs in your radar and that’s exactly why he’s Urban Central’s Juice.
Add “Folake” to your playlist. Thanks us later.
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