The comments at the top of Dayo Bello’s music videos are as revealing as they get. “Beautiful” and “moving” are repeat offenders, and to be fair it’s not surprising when you hear the heavenly sound waves coming from the south east London singer-songwriter.

Soulful melodies populate Dayo’s songs, which are thick with emotion, showcasing his gospel and choir upbringing.

We chat to the singer about his journey so far…

What inspires your songwriting?
Earth and Heaven. 

What artists have inspired you growing up?
Kirk Franklin, D’Angelo, Coldplay, John Mayer, Brandy, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Skepta, Justin Timberlake and Frank Ocean. 

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in an estate in a council flat full of a wide range of ethnicities and culture. This meant I was listening to genres like grime, garage, R&B, hip hop, afrobeat, Fuji and soul music on a regular. The lyrics in grime and Fuji music especially taught me to be free in my delivery (vocally and instrumentally) and find my own personality within music and not be afraid to show it. 

How did affect your music?
Me and my brothers would play outside with our friends and freestyle daily. Someone would hit on a bench or a bin to make drum sounds and we would sing or rap. It was all very “D.I.Y” and raw. I feel like that’s how my approach to music is today. I record my own stuff in my bedroom and work alongside my friends to make raw ideas. 

How do you want people to feel when listening to your music?
At rest. Life can be tough so I want my music to be their escape if it needs to be. I want them to find peace in whatever subject I’m touching on whether it affects them or not; enjoy and live in the stories.

How do you feel gospel has fed into your music?
Gospel music always has a message and a solution within the lyrics whether it be at the start or at the end of the song. So I try to give a message in every one of my songs.

What was “Mine” about?
Mine was about a time where me and my girlfriend split for a short period of time and then during that time I longed for her presence and knew deep within that we were meant to be forever. So I wrote the song during the time we split about wanting her back. I got her back too. 

What song do you wish you’d written?
D’Angelo – “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”

What’s next for you this year?
Release my debut EP “360”, headline at the Courtyard theatre and I want to touch, bless and bring peace people all around the world through my music.