Aby Coulibaly
about the artist
Aby Coulibaly is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter mixing 90s R&B beats and buttery vocals with insightfully observational lyricism. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Aby takes inspiration from her Senegalese heritage and day-to-day Dublin life to create a sound that's entirely her own. Described by gal-dem as "teetering on a precipice, with neo-soul on one side, and confessional rap on the other," Aby melds worlds together with sparkling confidence and a distinct sense of identity beyond her years. Baring wisdom in her rich vocals, Aby writes songs that comfort and hearten, enveloping the listener and inviting you to take a step into her…
MoreAby Coulibaly is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter mixing 90s R&B beats and buttery vocals with insightfully observational lyricism. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Aby takes inspiration from her Senegalese heritage and day-to-day Dublin life to create a sound that's entirely her own. Described by gal-dem as "teetering on a precipice, with neo-soul on one side, and confessional rap on the other," Aby melds worlds together with sparkling confidence and a distinct sense of identity beyond her years. Baring wisdom in her rich vocals, Aby writes songs that comfort and hearten, enveloping the listener and inviting you to take a step into her blissful universe.
For Aby, sharing her music has been a lifelong inevitability. Singing since she was a child, Aby stepped into the limelight in 2019, uploading a handful of tracks to Soundcloud as an outlet for her creativity. Unsurprisingly, her music struck a chord and resulted in an outpouring of support. Since then, Aby has racked up more than 1.5million Spotify plays on her lushly expressive debut single "Taurus," garnering a steady following despite releasing her work entirely independently. Support from Spotify playlists including Frequency UK and Ireland, Lush + Ethereal and Sweet Soul Sunday as well as Apple Music's Chilled R&B propelled Aby forward, bringing in a wide audience beyond Ireland's borders. "Taurus" is a statement of intent from a fearless artist who has wasted no time finding her feet.
Forging a personal connection with her audience is Aby's main priority as a songwriter. "Every track is different," Aby explains. "However, I want people to feel like they can relate to me. Whether they've gone through the same feelings as I have or because they can apply how I'm feeling to their situation, I want to move my listeners." Aby fulfils this purpose with each unique cut. From the moody pop stripes of "Long Nights" and its narrative of misplaced female rivalry to the hopeful soul of "Maybe," Aby writes about personal moments with a sense of both universality and intimacy. Regularly teaming up with long-term collaborator, alternative R&B artist Monjola, Aby sings from the heart and without pretence, culminating in compelling stories wrapped in alluring melodies.
With a performance at Belfast's AVA Festival and her very own Boiler Room set under her belt, Aby is already building a bond with audiences. Releasing music during a global pandemic hasn't held her back and she has attracted the attention of UK and Irish publications including Complex, BBC Across The Line, Notion, Hot Press and Nialler9. Characterised by Wonderland as "taking honeyed R&B to new heights," Aby Coulibaly is establishing an extraordinary name for herself despite her musical journey being in its infancy. This recognition, coupled with her desire to travel and perform in as many countries as she possibly can, is a testament to her talent and incredibly driven outlook.
Aby Coulibaly is a superstar in waiting. Counting neo-soul icon Erykah Badu, legendary rapper Lauryn Hill and boundary-pushing producer and artist James Blake amongst her influences, her eclectic palette feeds into the resolutely dynamic range within her sound. Combining her distinct tomboy style, soulful vocals and astute lyricism, Aby bares her soul with a refreshing sincerity and openness. Her use of her birth name, rather than a stage name, is a loving ode to her Senegalese background and a symbolic example of Aby's artistic honesty. "As an artist, I am my own person." Aby states. "I don't put on a persona, what you see is just who I am."
"Aby's soothing voice and truly unorthodox sonics make her a potential star for this year." – Notion
"The potential for a true superstar is right here." – Earmilk
"Her originality as an artist appears effortless, solidifying her status as a singer-songwriter destined for big things." – Nialler9