Deno

South London R&B singer and rapper Deno Michael Mebrahitu, professionally known as Deno, built a path from early online attention to broader recognition through his fluid vocal approach and frequent work with other artists. Born on September 23, 2002, he started posting clips of himself performing covers of well-known tracks during his school years. In 2016 one of those covers, a version of Geko’s “Over and Under,” spread rapidly online and caught the ear of Stormzy, who then asked Deno to appear on the MC’s first album, Gang Signs & Prayer. Still in 2016, Deno encountered AJ during an online video-content seminar; the meeting led to an ongoing creative alliance that produced the 2017 single “Ride or Die” and the 2018 track “London.” Deno also stepped briefly into acting that year, taking a minor role in the short film Shiro’s Story, Pt. 3. On set he was introduced to rapper Cadet, and the two later recorded the song “Advice.” When Cadet died in an accident early in 2019, Deno responded by issuing the tribute track “First Days.” His first EP, Eye to Eye, appeared later that same year, and the full-length mixtape Boy Meets World—containing the songs “Lingo,” “Circles,” and “Drizzy”—followed in 2021.