Emerging from Lagos, Nigeria and now based in Seattle, Aloytherealmetal is an artist whose sound reflects the many layers of who he is. From growing up in Abule Egba in a Christian, intergenerational household to discovering his own voice through rhythm, melody and experimentation, his journey has always been connected to creativity.
Growing up, Aloytherealmetal was surrounded by family. His home was shared with his mother, grandmother, aunties, sister and other relatives, creating an environment filled with different personalities, stories and experiences. His mother also enjoyed writing music, and hearing her sing and compose became an early influence on him.
Creativity came naturally. He excelled in art and other creative activities, while also enjoying things that were physically demanding. Even at a young age, he was constantly finding different ways to express himself.
Music eventually became one of those outlets.
Aloytherealmetal started creating music at a young age, but his process was different from simply sitting down and writing lyrics. He would create the rhythm and melody first, then reconstruct and compose the music around what he had created. By 2019, he began performing and recording, taking what had lived inside his imagination and bringing it to life.
His musical foundation began with the sounds he grew up around in Nigeria. Fuji music, gospel and Afrobeats were part of his early listening experience, along with artists like Klever J. His mother’s voice and the way she composed music also stayed with him.
As he got older, his musical world expanded. Wizkid and Olamide became major inspirations, showing him that he could use his own voice to create music and potentially become a superstar. Then came Chris Brown and Young Thug, two artists who helped open another door for him creatively.
When he first heard Young Thug in 2015, something clicked. He fell completely in love with the music and became even more interested in creating rhythms and melodies of his own.
That experimentation eventually helped shape what he calls his “Metallic Sound.”
For Aloytherealmetal, the idea goes beyond a genre. It represents the combination of different elements and identities that make a person who they are. Humans are complex. We have different interests, hobbies, emotions and experiences, and all of those things come together to shape our energy.
His music reflects that same mentality.
His sound can be trippy while still carrying clarity. It can move between different genres and ideas without being boxed into one particular style. He’s even explored new Nigerian country music while drawing inspiration from Yoruba folk music and storytelling.
Versatility is a major part of his identity as an artist.
Much of the music he has released was recorded while he was still in Nigeria, particularly around Otta Sango, where he spent plenty of time in his room creating music. He also worked in studios where he could take on the role of directing and producing. In 2022, he even had a record deal as a producer and engineer, giving him another perspective on the creative process.
And while music became a serious part of his life, his upbringing still carries some of the simplest memories.
There weren’t many traditional local hangout spots where he grew up. Instead, he and his friends would spend time at each other’s houses, ride bikes along rough, unpaved roads, play street football and head to the Game Center to play PS2 and PES. Boarding house life also became part of his experience.
Those moments may have seemed ordinary at the time, but they became part of the environment that shaped him.
Today, Aloytherealmetal continues to explore what his sound can become. His most recent release with Zeno is “World Cup,” while his latest solo release is “Come Close.” Both represent an artist who continues to push himself creatively while staying connected to the experiences and influences that brought him here.
At the heart of it all is faith.
When asked who he wanted to shout out, Aloytherealmetal kept it simple: himself and God. More importantly, he wanted to give thanks for the fact that God never gave up on him and continued to show him what was possible.
