Nigerian-born, Atlanta-based Afrofusion artist VALOE officially introduces his sound with the release of his debut single, “SANDALILI,” available worldwide through UnitedMasters.
Born in Aba, Nigeria, and now based in Atlanta, Georgia, VALOE draws from two worlds to create music rooted in cultural memory, emotional vulnerability and contemporary African sound.
Raised in a musical household where rhythm and storytelling were part of everyday life, VALOE grew up surrounded by the vibrant sounds of West Africa before bringing that foundation into the creative landscape of the American South.
His music blends Afrobeats, R&B, soul, jazz and ambient soundscapes, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and cinematic.
Influenced by artists including Flavour, Lucky Daye, The Weeknd and Chris Brown, VALOE approaches his artistry with emotional depth and deliberate softness, exploring vulnerability, spirituality and cultural identity while challenging traditional expectations of masculinity in African music.
His journey from Aba to Atlanta is more than a geographical transition, it is an experience that shapes the music he creates.
“SANDALILI” began as a nursery rhyme passed down through generations in Eastern Nigeria, traditionally hummed in homes and sung at bedtime. VALOE transforms that familiar piece of cultural memory into a contemporary Afrofusion record.
The song carries the warmth of childhood while exploring the emotional weight of growing distant from home. Its title draws from oral tradition, evoking a feeling that reaches beyond language and into memory.
“SANDALILI” explores love, longing and devotion across distance, making it particularly resonant for listeners navigating life between cultures and places.
For members of the African diaspora, the song reflects the experience of carrying memories of home while building a life somewhere else. At the same time, its themes of love and emotional distance give the record a universal quality.
The song’s visual identity is anchored by the coordinates 05.1065° N, 07.3675° E, representing Aba, Nigeria, the city at the heart of VALOE’s story and the cultural starting point of “SANDALILI.”
Rather than simply introducing a new artist, “SANDALILI” establishes a world built from memory, heritage and modern Afrofusion.
