The Buzz On: Ayo

Ayọ came up on a steady diet of Fela Kuti, Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, and it shows. As a kid in Germany, she studied at the feet of her DJ father, cultivating a wide-ranging taste for eclectic world music. Feeding a growing passion for music, she learned to play violin, piano and guitar, and wrote her first complete original song at 15.

Though her music isn't exactly the reggae and afro-beat of her influences, it is deeply infused with island swagger and African rhythms. What Ayọ adds to the mix, aside from spot-on pop sensibilities, is a confident and deliciously smoky new voice that exudes summer heat and vibrant colors.

She sounds like you'd imagine Lauryn Hill would, if she were waking up early on a beach vacation. And that free-and-easy vibe is contagious, so prepare yourself to be transported. Visit Ayọ's website for a refreshing taste of her unique sound, and a look at the tropical world premiere video for "Lonely." Also, check out Ayọ in a new series of Banana Republic ads, after the jump!

Tags Ayo, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Jimmy Cliff, Lauryn-Hill, The Buzz On