Cleo Sol (GB)

About

Also known as: Cleopatra Nikolic, Cleopatra Zvezdana Nikolic

Cleo Sol has a rare kind of quiet intensity that makes her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary soul and R&B. The London born singer, whose full name is Cleopatra Zvezdana Nikolic, works closely with producer and husband Dean Josiah Cover (known as Inflo), a partnership that has shaped her sound across five releases: the EP Winter Songs, then the albums Rose in the Dark, Mother, and the surprise double release Heaven and Gold, both dropping in September 2023. She cites Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott as touchstones, and you can hear all three in her warm, unhurried delivery. She is also the lead vocalist of the elusive UK collective Sault, a group that releases music prolifically but almost never performs live or gives interviews. Cleo Sol follows the same ethos in her solo work. She has collaborated with Little Simz, appearing on the tracks Selfish and Woman, and her album Rose in the Dark landed on year end lists from both Complex and Clash. It is understated, deliberate work from someone who clearly plays a long game.