AYO: New Album Out 2/21*Joins John Legend for World of Betters Event*NYC Show @ S.O.B's 2/22

[Carla Senft]

Ayo Announces February 21st Physical Release of New Album Billie-Eve

Recently Joined John Legend in Paris for Western Union World of Betters Event

Special Album Release Show Set for February 22nd at S.O.B's in New York City

[Photo_Billie-Ev_300CMYK3-rlr][adeline_au_pays_du_hip_hop-305551315-1323110297]

"... an easygoing blend of soul, folk and reggae sensibilities that isn't afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve. Her rich cultural background and Bohemian nature have allowed her to develop into an independent and inventive rising star. The result is a collection of smart, worldly, bittersweet songs." - NPR



..."a passionate vocalist who can switch it up between sultry/sexy and saccharine-sweet with consummate ease." - BBC


"Ayo is something new. She's fresh. She's genuine. And she's got something to say...outstanding...a testament to her artistry..."
-The Couch Sessions



"Ayo's got a lot of spunk in her sound and a lot of embers burning quietly away." - All Music

Acclaimed soul singer/songwriter Ayo has announced that the U.S. physical release of her new album Billie-Eve is set for February 21, 2012, on MBM Records. A special New York City album release show is planned for February 22nd at S.O.B.'s. Lead single "I'm Gonna Dance" is streaming here<http://soundcloud.com/hdriss17> now. Head here<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx97iHXgVXk> to watch the video. The digital version of Billie-Eve is out now.

In other news, Ayo, who is a platinum-selling artist in France, recently joined John Legend in Paris on December 2nd for their Western Union World of Betters event, the fourth of five celebrity Better events that have involved Alicia Keys, Pitbull, K'NAAN and famed Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan. Ayo and John Legend searched the avenues of Paris for street musicians and invited them to join in on a free fan concert to support the Western Union World of Betters Contest. The contest asks consumers how they would use $1000 to make the world a better place and is one component under the company's new worldwide brand platform, "Moving Money for Better." See highlights from Ayo's performance with John Legend here<http://www.worldofbetters.com/artist/JohnLegend> and listen to Ayo speak about her experience here<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcnBhIVt2TQ&feature=related>.

Born in Germany to a Romanian gypsy mother and a Nigerian father and then musically re-born in France, Ayo has sold more than 1.5 million albums worldwide since her debut 5 years ago. Ayo's music is rich with passion, purpose and identity. Billie-Eve - named after Ayo's daughter and a play on the word "believe" - melds the world beats, neo-soul folk and reggae inspirations for which Ayo has become beloved overseas. The new album also sees her exploring a more rock-based sound. It's a global tapestry of influences as eclectic as her own worldly background and features guitarist Craig Ross (Lenny Kravitz), bassist Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie), hip-hop poet Saul Williams, and multi-instrumentalist Ayo who plays electric and acoustic guitar, piano and drums.

Ayo's 2006 critically acclaimed debut Joy received double-platinum status in France and praise from the likes of NPR, BBC and The Guardian. 2008's Gravity At Last hit #1 in France. Since her breakout success, Ayo has shared the stage with the likes of Raphael Saadiq, Carlos Santana and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, performed on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and was featured in a campaign for Banana Republic. In 2009, she was named a Unicef ambassador, helping to promote children's right to education around the world.

Photo Credit: Rene & Radka / Yann Orhan


Billie-Eve Official Tracklisting:

1.       How Many People

2.       I'm Gonna Dance

3.       Black Spoon

4.       I Can't

5.       Flowers

6.       Real Love

7.       Julia

8.       My Man

9.       It's Too Late

10.   Who Are They?

11.   We've Got To

12.   Before

13.   It Hurts

14.   Believe

15. I Want You Back

For more information on Ayo, please contact:
Press Here
212-246-2640
Carla Senft
carla at pressherepublicity.com<mailto:carla at pressherepublicity.com>


Carla Senft
Press Here
138 West 25th Street, 9th Floor
New York, New York  10001
Phone: 212-246-2640
Fax: 212-582-6513
www.presshere.com<http://www.presshere.com>
http://twitter.com/presshere
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