Music
03 Feb 21

Hot For 2021 Irish Acts: Nealo

Nealo. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

In a world of shuttered music venues and snatched-away opportunities, Ireland’s music community continues to defy the odds – with young, emerging artists defiantly rising above seemingly insurmountable challenges, and flying the flag for their country. This bold energy, independent ethos and genre-defying talent is evident across our list of Hot For 2021 Irish Acts – which features artists from every corner of Ireland.

Nealo:

With unabashedly earnest lyrics and roots in hardcore punk, the former law-student has emerged as an unexpected hero of Irish hip-hop. Embracing a central message of love and positivity, and taking influence from the jazz-flavoured rap of the Chicago scene, Nealo explored concepts of loss on his powerful 2020 debut album – earning a Choice Music Prize nomination.

Hear: His acclaimed debut album, All The Leaves Are Falling.

<a href="https://nealoofficial.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-leaves-are-falling">All The Leaves Are Falling by Nealo</a>

Watch: His live-streamed Christmas Day gig at The Workman’s Club on YouTube.