Ayo Maff Biography: Age, Real Name, Early Life, Songs, Deal With EMPIRE and Rise to Fame

Ayo Maff

Ayo Maff is a fast rising Nigerian singer and songwriter known for blending street pop grit with melodic Afrobeats, telling stories that feel like everyday Lagos life. Born Ayorinde Mafoluku Ayodele on 18 July 2005, he grew up around Somolu Bariga (Shomolu axis), Lagos State, an environment he often credits for shaping both his character and his sound.

Early life and background

Ayo Maff was raised in Lagos, particularly in the Somolu Bariga area, where street energy, hustle culture, and community life influenced his writing early on. Some profiles describe his upbringing as “hard but fun,” saying it gave him real experiences that later became material for his music.

In a widely shared personal detail, Ayo Maff has said he left his parents’ house at age 16. According to his explanation in an interview reported by TheCable Lifestyle, he made that move because he felt pressure as the first child to find a better path for his family during a financially difficult period.

Music style and identity

Ayo Maff is sometimes described as “Prince of the Street,” a nickname tied to the way he mixes streetwise lyrics with catchy hooks. His music typically sits between Afrobeats, afro pop, and dancehall leaning rhythms, with an emotional storytelling approach that appeals to younger listeners and street pop fans alike.

Career breakthrough

He began releasing music publicly around 2023, building attention with early tracks and gradually growing a loyal audience. Wikipedia and other music databases list “Jama Jama” among his early releases, followed by more drops that helped him gain momentum.

The major turning point came with “Dealer” featuring Fireboy DML. The collaboration pushed him into wider national recognition and significantly expanded his fan base. It is frequently mentioned as the record that introduced him to many listeners beyond his core street audience.

Maffian EP and growing visibility

After “Dealer,” Ayo Maff released his debut EP Maffian, dated 15 August 2024. The project helped position him as more than a one song artist, showing range and building his identity as an emerging star. Apple Music lists the EP under EMPIRE and confirms the release date.

Music platforms and directories (like Music In Africa) also list him as signed/associated with EMPIRE, reinforcing that his rise has been backed by a serious distribution or label structure.

Songs and notable releases

Across profiles and platform bios, the songs most commonly linked to his rise include:

• Dealer (feat Fireboy DML)

• Jama Jama

• Last Week (noted as part of the Maffian era)

• Other earlier traction tracks are referenced by streaming bios as part of his early run before “Dealer.”

Public attention and controversies

As his profile grew, Ayo Maff also began appearing more in entertainment news. In July 2025, Nigerian entertainment outlet TheNet reported he was involved in a legal dispute with TunesBid Limited over an alleged contract breach tied to an agreement said to have been signed in December 2023. (Legal disputes can evolve, so treat this as a reported development at that time rather than a final outcome.)

Where he is now

By 2025 into 2026, Ayo Maff is widely mentioned among Nigeria’s new school artists to watch, especially in the street pop lane where authenticity and storytelling matter. His brand is built on being a voice from the inner streets of Lagos, but with a sound polished enough for mainstream Afrobeats spaces.