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. He approaches his work with intention, always looking to make a bold statement and push conversations forward. Whether through his performances, videos, or overall creative direction, he continuously challenges the norms and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, expression, and vision in music. 

With his two album releases, “Los” and “Waiting For The Heat To Burn”, Cilo showcases the beauty of the creative process not only through sound but also through the visual narratives that accompany his work. His creative direction feels deeply authentic, reflecting who he is as an artist while paying close attention to the small details that elevate the experience beyond the surface level.

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. Theemphasis of displaying a story through the visuals is essential and he ignites that feeling in his own way with his own sound.