Wonky funk typified the early output of Nao, one of the most exciting alt R&B artists to surface during the 2010s. Raised in East London, she began playing piano in childhood and, as a young teenager, started taking singing seriously. Nao attended Guildhall School of Music and Drama to study jazz. Upon graduation, she spent time teaching in South London, took on session work, and became interested in making music of her own. Early songs uploaded to SoundCloud in 2014 attracted label interest, but Nao opted to starth her own label, Little Tokyo, for the 5-track 'So Good' EP, released in Oct of that year. A second EP 'February 15', followed on Little Tokyo in May 2015. Nao then released her debut album ‘For All We Know’ in 2016, earning huge critical acclaim, a top 20 chart position, a Best Female nomination at The Brits and two Sold Out Shepherds Bush Empires. 
 After 2 years of heavy touring Nao came back with her second album 'Saturn' in Oct 2018. A slew of 4 and 5 star reviews from The Guardian, Sunday Times, NME, Clash and Q greeted the release, followed by both Grammy and Mercury nominations. She also sold out Brixton Academy, something she had dreamt of doing since childhood. Nao's third album "And Then Life Was Beautiful" then came on Sep 24 2021, again to rapturous reviews including 5/5 in NME, 4/5 in The Guardian & Observer, 7.5 on Pitchfork and 4/5 in Clash, DIY and The Independent. Nao is taking a break from touring in 2022 but will be back in 2023.