Melvitto, whose real name is Melvin Alli-Owe, is a Nigerian-American music producer, singer, songwriter and audio engineer. Although many people know him today for his mellow Afro-R&B and Afrobeats sound, he actually began his journey in music as part of A’won Boyz, one of New York’s earliest Afrobeats groups, before building a name for himself as a producer and engineer. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents and spent his formative years between Brooklyn and Nigeria, an experience that greatly influenced the fusion of African and Western sounds heard in his music today. He later studied music formally, a background that helped shape his career as both a producer and recording artist. Away from music, Melvitto is known for being one of the most private figures in the Afrobeats scene. Unlike many artists who openly share details about their personal lives, he has kept information about his family and relationships away from the spotlight, choosing instead to let his music do the talking. While fans know him for his distinctive sound and collaborations, details such as his exact date of birth and age have never been publicly disclosed, making them unavailable in verified public records. What is known, however, is that he is based in New York City and continues to make his mark as a producer, songwriter, singer and audio engineer, collaborating with a number of artists across the Afrobeats and R&B space.
Four: Stay Ft. Gabzy
Kicking off the countdown at number four is Stay, a collaboration between Melvitto and British-Nigerian singer Gabzy. The song was released on 13 December 2017 as the second track on Melvitto’s debut EP, Soon., marking one of the earliest official releases in his career. This track has garnered over 94.8M streams on Spotify and over 8.7M views on YouTube. Written by Melvin Alli-Owe, better known as Melvitto, alongside Gabriel Akinyemi, popularly known as Gabzy, the record was entirely produced by Melvitto himself, giving listeners an early introduction to the smooth Afro-R&B and Afrobeats sound that would later become his signature. Although Stay wasn’t a mainstream chart hit at the time of its release, it played a significant role in establishing the musical chemistry between Melvitto and Gabzy, a partnership that would go on to produce several fan-favourite records in the years that followed. Nearly a decade later, the song continues to enjoy remarkable longevity, making it one of the most-streamed songs in Melvitto’s catalogue. Its enduring popularity has cemented Stay as one of the defining records from his debut project and an important milestone in the evolution of his sound.
FYI
- Although many people know him today as a recording artist, he actually spent years working almost exclusively behind the scenes as a producer and audio engineer. In a 2020 interview, he revealed that after feeling frustrated by having to wait on other artists to release songs he had produced, he decided to start putting out his own music instead.
Three: For Days Ft. Ayomipo
Coming in at number three is For Days, a collaboration between Melvitto and rising Nigerian singer AYOMIPO. The single was released on 28 July 2025 under Melvitto’s independent label and quickly became one of the biggest records of his career. Built around Melvitto’s signature mellow production, the song blends Afrobeats with smooth R&B influences, while AYOMIPO delivers heartfelt vocals about longing for someone he hasn’t seen in a while and the emotional uncertainty that comes with being apart. It has garnered over 22M streams on Spotify and over 1.4M views on YouTube. The chemistry between both artists, combined with the song’s laid-back groove and relatable lyrics, helped it resonate with listeners across different markets. Commercially, For Days performed exceptionally well. It reached number 9 on the Official UK Afrobeats Chart, giving Melvitto his first Top 10 entry on the chart, and remained on the chart for 13 weeks, a strong indication of the song’s staying power. The record has also earned placements on major editorial playlists, including Apple Music’s Viral Afrobeats, Alté Cruise and Afro-Fusion, further expanding its reach to audiences around the world.
Two: Get 2 Know
Serving as his latest release, Get 2 Know was officially released on 23 March 2026 and sees Melvitto teaming up with Nigerian singer Kúnlé for the very first time. The record was written by Melvin Alli-Owe, professionally known as Melvitto, alongside Taofeek Olayiwola Banire, known as Kúnlé, while production was handled by Melvitto in collaboration with Jonah Christian. Staying true to Melvitto’s signature sound, Get 2 Know blends mellow Afrobeats with soulful R&B, creating a relaxed atmosphere as both artists explore the excitement of getting to know someone on a deeper level before taking a relationship any further. Since its release, the song has continued to gain traction across streaming platforms and has earned placements on major editorial playlists, including Apple Music’s New in Afrobeats and Afro-Fusion, introducing it to a wider global audience and reinforcing Melvitto’s reputation for creating smooth, emotionally driven records. Although it is still too early to fully assess its commercial performance, Get 2 Know has been warmly received by listeners and marks another important chapter in Melvitto’s catalogue, showing his continued commitment to refining the understated, soulful sound that has become his trademark.
Awards/Nominations
Although Melvitto has established himself as one of the most respected producers and independent artists within the Afro-R&B and Afrobeats space, he has yet to receive any publicly documented major music award wins or nominations as a solo artist. Instead, his impact has been measured through the growing success of his music on streaming platforms, editorial playlist support, and a catalogue of collaborations that have earned him a dedicated global fan base. While mainstream awards may not yet reflect his influence, Melvitto continues to be recognised by listeners and fellow artists for his distinctive production style and his contribution to the evolution of contemporary Afro-fusion music.
Discography
Although Melvitto is yet to release a full-length studio album, he has built an impressive catalogue through a series of critically appreciated EPs.
* Soon. (2017)
* Summers (2019)
* THENIGHTISYOUNG. (2019)
* Malone (collaborative EP) (2020)
* ovrdose. (2022)
* m. (2024)
One: In Fact Ft. Gabzy
Taking the number one spot is In Fact, Melvitto’s signature record featuring British-Nigerian singer Gabzy. Released on 13 September 2019 as part of Melvitto’s EP, Summers, the song has become the defining record of his career and one of the most celebrated collaborations in contemporary Afro-R&B. Written by Melvin Alli-Owe, professionally known as Melvitto, alongside Gabriel Akinyemi, better known as Gabzy, and produced entirely by Melvitto, In Fact showcases the effortless chemistry that has made the duo one of the most admired partnerships in the genre. Since its release, In Fact has enjoyed remarkable commercial success,It successfully garnered over 119M streams on Spotify and over 9.5M views on YouTube, making it Melvitto’s most-streamed song to date and the record that introduced his music to a much wider global audience. The song has also remained one of his most popular tracks across major streaming platforms years after its release, cementing its status as both a fan favourite and the biggest hit of his career. Its longevity and continued popularity have established In Fact as a defining record in Melvitto’s catalogue and one of the standout Afro-R&B songs of its era.
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