Avelino

A British rapper hailing from Tottenham in North London, Avelino—real name Achi—has built a reputation for verses that balance street-level pragmatism with celebrations of upscale living. He first surfaced in the early 2010s by posting freestyles online under the alias AA. In 2013 More Music Records issued his debut mixtape Underdog Music, after which Iconic Ambition arrived the following year and expanded his profile across London and the South East. That project included the cut “No Comment,” a joint effort with Croydon rapper Bonkaz and grime heavyweight Stormzy. A national tour supporting Stormzy followed in 2015. Later the same year Achi and Wretch 32 released the mixtape Young Fire, Old Flame on the London-based label OddChild Music, promoting it with a joint Fire in the Booth freestyle on BBC Radio 1. His debut solo EP, FYO, surfaced in 2016; North London rapper Raf Riley handled production while MC Neat appeared as a guest. Also in 2016 Avelino was featured on Wretch 32’s third album, Growing Over Life. Early the next year he dropped the single “Energy” with Skepta and Stormzy to mark the launch of EA Sports’ FIFA 18. His third mixtape, No Bullshit, came out that autumn through OddChild Music and More Music Records.