Taves biography details trace the rise of one of Nigeria's most genre-defying young R&B voices an artist who has stayed true to soulful, melodic songwriting even as Afrobeats dominates the mainstream. His real name is Toluwani Ayomide Aluko, he is 23 years old, and his net worth is estimated between $200,000 and $500,000 as of 2026.
Best known by his stage name Taves, he broke into the industry through a viral cover of BNXN's "For Days," which led to a record deal, an Atlantic Records UK signing, and hit singles like "Eleyele," "Bodija," and "Folake." Often compared to The Weeknd for his atmospheric sound, Taves has built a reputation as one of Nigeria's most distinctive R&B and soul artists of his generation.
Taves Biography Official Bio Data
| Category (Detail Type) | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Toluwani Ayomide Aluko |
| Stage Name | Taves (stylized "taves") |
| Nickname | Tolu |
| Date of Birth | June 23, 2003 |
| Age | 23 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Raised In | Ibadan, Oyo State (from age 8) |
| State of Origin | Oyo State (Yoruba heritage) |
| Ethnicity | Yoruba |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | Ibadan International School, Computer Science; graduated 2019 |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter |
| Genre | R&B, Soul, Afropop, Folk |
| Record Label | To Your Ears Entertainment (BNXN's label); Atlantic Records UK |
| Debut Project | "The Nest: First Day Out" (EP, 2019) |
| Breakout Single | "Eleyele" (2023) |
| Notable Nickname (Industry) | "The Nigerian Weeknd" |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $200,000 – $500,000 |
Early Life and Education
Toluwani Ayomide Aluko was born on June 23, 2003, in a private hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, to Mr. and Mrs. Aluko. He lived in Port Harcourt for his first six to eight years, a period he doesn't consciously remember but describes as formative through the long road trips it produced.
Around age 8, he relocated to Ibadan, Oyo State, where his grandfather lived, and it was during the drives between Port Harcourt and Ibadan that his father would play music by the legendary Aṣa — an artist who would go on to shape Taves's entire musical identity. Growing up, he was affectionately called "Tolu" by family and close friends.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Ibadan, attending Ibadan International School, where he studied Computer Science and graduated in 2019. Even while pursuing a technical education, he spent his free time absorbing a wide mix of genres — R&B, pop, soul, and folk — and recording demos on his phone.
Career Breakthrough
Taves began songwriting at the age of nine, inspired by Aṣa's guitar-driven sound. His brother introduced him to studio recording in 2019, resulting in his debut EP, "The Nest: First Day Out," followed by "17" in 2020 and "18," released July 1, 2021. He also dropped singles "Betterment" (May 2021) and "5 AM Dreaming" (June 2021).
His real turning point came in 2022, when he began posting covers of popular tracks by artists like Ayra Starr, CKay, and Lojay. His cover of BNXN's 2022 single "For Days" went viral and caught BNXN's direct attention the two met within a week, an encounter Taves has called one of the coolest moments of his life. He was soon signed to BNXN's label, To Your Ears Entertainment.
In May 2023, Taves landed a deal with Atlantic Records UK, and on June 22, 2023, he released "Eleyele" a tribute to his hometown that became his breakout single. The momentum continued into 2024 with "Bodija" and "Folake," both released March 8, 2024, cementing his place as one of Nigeria's most promising new voices in R&B.
Major Works and Achievements
- "Eleyele" (2023)
- "Bodija" and "Folake" (March 2024)
- "Are You Listening?" (EP, July 2024)
- "A Million Things" and "In the City" (2024)
- Feature on L.A.X's "Let Me Know" (September 2024) alongside Ayo Maff
- Feature on Ladipoe's "Compose" (September 2024)
- Feature on Yarden's "Ifeoma" (February 2025)
- "Way2Yung" and "6ways" (August 2025)
- Billboard's African Rookie of the Month recognition
- Nicknamed "the Nigerian Weeknd"
Personal Life
Taves maintains a relatively private personal life and has not publicly disclosed a girlfriend or relationship status as of 2026. He remains close to his family, particularly his father, whose musical taste directly shaped his career, and his brother, who first got him into the studio.
He has spoken openly about his deliberate choice to stay outside the Afrobeats mainstream, describing his sound as something distinct from the genre most global audiences associate with Nigerian music. He credits artists like Aṣa, Ed Sheeran, and Khalid as core influences on his songwriting approach.
Taves Net Worth
Taves's net worth is estimated between $200,000 and $500,000 as of 2026, built through a combination of streaming revenue, record label backing, and a rapidly growing catalog of hits.
His primary income sources include:
- Streaming royalties
- Record label support
- Collaborative features
- Live performances
- Brand visibility
FAQs on Taves Biography
1. What is Taves's real name?
His real name is Toluwani Ayomide Aluko.2. How old is Taves?
He was born on June 23, 2003, making him 23 years old as of 2026.3. What is Taves's state of origin?
He is of Yoruba heritage from Oyo State, though he was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.4. What record label is Taves signed to?
He is signed to To Your Ears Entertainment, founded by BNXN, and also has a deal with Atlantic Records UK.