Solene, the Mother of Cyber Jazz
Cyber jazz is forever
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Solene (a.k.a. Solene Velvet) is the pioneering voice of the cyber jazz movement—a genre-bending fusion of smoky jazz vocals, nostalgia-infused lofi beats, and cyberpunk noir aesthetics. Originally trained as a traditional jazz vocalist and deeply influenced by Portishead, Ella Fitzgerald, and Erykah Badu, her glamorous, retro-futuristic sound is tailor-made for an upscale, neon-lit jazz club.
She first commanded underground attention with “Downer Vibe,” a jazz-hop collaboration with Japanese producer Minthaze. The track caught the ear of Griselda's Grammy-winning producer Conductor Williams, sparking an ongoing creative partnership that birthed their acclaimed collaborative EP, Book of Shadows. Her definitive breakthrough arrived with her 2024 album, Chase the Stars. Amassing over 7 million streams, the project earned her a dedicated cult following and the fan-bestowed moniker, "The Mother of Cyber Jazz."
Her specific niche—singing timeless jazz vocals with the lyrical prowess of a highly skilled emcee—has made her a favorite among hip-hop purists. This unique talent has led to collaborations with hip hop heavyweights like Paul Wall, AZ, Jeru the Damaja, and Statik Selektah. After touring extensively with hip-hop legend Talib Kweli, Solene teamed up with J. Rawls—a foundational jazz-hop architect known for his production work with Black Star and The Liquid Crystal Project—to release their collaborative album, Midnight Angel. As her global audience rapidly expands, Solene continues to redefine jazz for a digital, genreless future.
She is currently preparing for her highly anticipated solo album, Femme Fatale, dropping on May 22, 2026. The project fuses a heavy lofi boom-bap knock with rich live saxophone, grand piano, and a sleek electronica edge.