Making Waves: Nealo

Nealo-ing down: Nealo

Get to know Irish rapper Nealo...

KEY TRACK: Angel On My Shoulder
LABEL: DFL Records
MANAGEMENT: ivan@dflrecords.com
TWITTER: @NellydaSilla

WHO: Nealo is the new voice in Irish rap that you need to hear.

WHAT: Earthy hip-hop, blown through with freshness. Nealo diverted towards rap from his past in hardcore punk bands. Having worked with a range of contemporaries including Molly Sterling and Innrspace, he recently told Irish radio station RTÉ2fm that he’s “always going to collaborate”.

WHERE: Nealo is a central figure in Dublin’s burgeoning music scene.

WHAT CAN I HEAR?

New single Angel On My Shoulder features musical backing from jazz collective Innrspace. Warm production leaves plenty of space for Nealo’s bars, which reference his young baby and ask searching questions about the city he calls home.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Nealo emigrated to Vancouver for a while and aced his law exams at university. He also endured a dark period in hospital, needing 57 stitches after trying in vain to remove a tennis ball from a dog’s throat.

THAT’S HEAVY…

Yes, but it led to clarity, and Nealo is churning out bangers and playing hot-ticket gigs. The next one is at Dublin’s Grand Social on September 27.



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