arabbitshole

^{cilo’s visuals published by daylon hicks}

It goes without saying that one of the most important aspects of music is the way visual storytelling is brought to life. Music is more than sound, it’s an experience. Visuals give listeners another dimension to connect with, transforming a song into a narrative and a performance into a moment that leaves a presence. For Cilo, this element is at the core of his artistry. He’s not just creating music, he’s crafting a narrative that speaks through both sound and visuals.

With his two album releases, “Los” and “Waiting For The Heat To Burn”, he showcases the beauty of the creative process not only through sound but also through the visual narratives that accompany his work. 

With “B* Please,” Cilo collaborated with a talented team across New York and Oakland to bring the visuals to life. The New York crew included Christopher Zapata as Director of Photography, alongside Stephan Joseph and ROM as Production Assistants, while the Oakland team featured Dennis Guillen and Julian Amado as co-DPs, with Joyce Banwart serving as PA. Together, they created a fast-paced visual experience that grabs your attention from the very first frame, matching the energy and urgency from the song.

“Keke Palmer”, the second song from his album, shifts the mood entirely. Shot by Dennis Guillen, the visualizer focuses into a more mellow tone, using softer colors and minimal camera movement to reflect the freestyle quality of the song. In contrast, Float Machine, a 2024 collaboration with Nikki Pararuan and Ian McGilber delivers a powerful and politically charged statement, addressing the ongoing impact of the war in Palestine through imagery and a poignant creative approach. 

The emphasis on displaying a story through visuals is essential, as it allows for a deeper emotional connection with the audience, and he ignites that feeling in his own unique way, blending it seamlessly with his distinct sound. His ability to translate emotion and narrative into both visual and auditory experiences as well creates a powerful synergy that amplifies the impact of his work. In the imagery he presents and the music he creates, he conveys a sense of identity and purpose that feels authentic and personal.