Faioso
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | INDIE
Music
Press
Posted by Sterling at 4:50PM
Local female artist Faioso glamorizes the freedom of an independent artist in Hawaii with her self-released album, “Nobody Owns Me.” Downloads are now available on itunes.com and cdbaby.com. This Urban/R&B/Hip-Hop artist blends influences from neo-soul, funk, spoken word, as well as world music. This tantalizing mix appeals to the modern ear with her bold lyrics and brassy vocal styings.
Listen to her music HERE. (links to http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Faioso)
- www.808click.com
Born in Seattle, a Hawaii resident since high school, singer/songwriter Faioso Leau introduces herself with a collection of original hip-hop vignettes inspired by "personal life, relationships, politics and culture." She released them as downloads in December but now steps up with the complete package on CD.
The title track turns out to be a whimsical love song. Unlike Lesley Gore's 1964 anthem, "You Don't Own Me," the message here is that Faioso is so into the boy she loves that her heart "blows bubbles." A entirely different side of her personality is heard in "Better" as she informs a misbehaving man that "I need leave you to make you better."
"I'm Movin On" stands out musically in combining stream-of-consciousness lyrics with the human beat box percussion of Jason Tom. Yet another noteworthy cut, "U Can," delivers a message of empowerment that should be utilized as a public service message by a local social service agency ("If you think you can't, you can't! If you think you can, you might!").
Faioso delves into the darker side of hip hop culture as well. Some cuts refer to drug dealing. One isn't clear as to what's for sale. Such is street life.
Faioso and her production team keep it fresh using an imaginative variety of beats, tempos and backing tracks. The individual tracks are interesting but the full package makes a stronger statement.
"Nobody Owns Me" is available via iTunes and Faioso's Web site, www.faioso.com.
By John Berger - Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Faioso is the stage name of singer Ruth Faioso Leau, who releases music tracks directly from the United States, her homeland.
After an album released in 2009 and some singles in 2020, she returns in 2025 with a new exclusive single that shows a different sound.
“On the Low” has been available for streaming on major streaming platforms since April 25, 2025, last Friday.
The track was composed by Bronson Iseri and features vocal lines inspired by R&B and an instrumental reminiscent of trap music rhythms.
Check out more of his music and other highlights at: https://open.spotify.com/track/4f0RVnkpSgMhXs0mBd8qtq?si=ItNXTEQRSvCryJSVYYncIg - Roadie Music
Discography
On the Low - Single (2025)
Blue Shirts - Single (2020)
2 All My Cuzins - Single (2020)
Soulmate - Single (2020)
Nobody Owns Me (2009)
Photos
Bio
Faioso is a hip-hop and R&B artist from Hawaii. Her music has been described as "fresh" and "stands out musically". Her music blends smooth vocals with direct, story-driven lyrics. Her upcoming single, Swap, is a catchy and confident track about flipping roles in love and life—swapping places, partners, clothes, and expectations. Her previous single, On the Low, received international radio play across the U.S., U.K., Australia, Uganda, and Brazil, with over 15,000 YouTube views in its first two weeks. Faioso’s sound brings a unique voice shaped by personal experience and cultural roots.
Faioso is a Samoan American songwriter based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. A cancer survivor, her music draws from experience and turns events, moments, and memories into lyrics and melodies.
Born in Washington and raised in Steilacoom, Faioso moved to Honolulu at age 14. She sang in church and school choirs and listened to her family share songs and stories from their Samoan culture. These influences continue to shape her music and direction.
For Faioso, music is a way to express thoughts and feelings that are hard to say. Songwriting became a way to speak during times when words felt out of reach. Whether she writes about love, loss, or self, her words reach others. Faioso hopes to connect with others and create songs that reflect life. She continues to write music and aims to write for other artists.
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