Oklou’s talent has developed a global fanbase, and she is known for her unique way of producing modern pop music. She still affects the genre of electronic pop around the world. Her unique style keeps developing until now.

Early life

Marylou Mayniel was born on 23rd April 1993 in Poitiers, France. Marylou Mayniel spent her childhood in the French countryside together with her two parents and an elder brother. She received classic training on piano and cello in a conservatory school. Also, she used to sing in choirs during her childhood. Her elder brother used to bring her CDs from the local library. Among others, one artist that inspired her was Dälek. Her first album purchase was from Gorillaz.

2014–2019: Early beginnings

Mayniel started recording and uploading music on the internet in 2013. In June 2014, she self-released her debut EP Avril under the moniker Loumar.

In 2015 she moved to Paris and released her first Oklou EP, First Tape, and a limited cassette run. In late 2015, Mayniel met and co-founded the female DJ collective TGAF (These Girls Are on Fiyah) with DJ Ouai, Miley Serious and Carin Kelly. They would do weekly radio shows on French station PIIAF and live shows around Paris. In its early years, the group amassed a large following and was featured in many online publications. TGAF split in July 2018. In 2016 she was a resident at the Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal, where she met Canadian musician and close collaborator Casey Manierka-Quaile.

In 2017, Mayniel starred in a short film called After School Knife Fight. The film was on the festival circuit from 2017 to 2018. Mayniel released her collaborative EP with Casey MQ, For the Beasts, in December 2017. In early 2018, Mayniel joined the record label and collective NUXXE and its co-founders: Irish-Chilean music producer Sega Bodega, British rapper Shygirl and French producer and performer Coucou Chloe. In March of that year she released her third EP, The Rite of May, via the label. Fact described the EP as “a deeply personal exploration of identity, intimacy and faith” with “lush, experimental electronic production.It included collaborations with Sega Bodega, Rodaidh McDonald, Krampf and Bok Bok. Later that year, Mayniel and Krampf co-developed the video game , Zone W/O People . It was produced for Red Bull Music Academy France’s 2018 Diggin’ in the Carts event. Mayniel also composed a soundtrack for the game, which she subsequently released on a limited cassette. Mayniel also featured on late American rapper Chynna’s single “Xternal Locus” in October 2018.

2020–2023: Galore and collaborations

In January 2020 Mayniel released a collaborative single with French experimentalist Flavien Berger, “Toyota”, through Because Music. This was followed by another single, “entertnmnt” in February, co-produced with British producer Mura Masa, and another single, “SGSY” (which stands for She’s Gonna Slaughter You) in April. The singles were released by TaP Records and True Panther Sounds.

In July 2020, Mayniel announced her debut mixtape Galore, and released three tracks from the project, including “unearth me” with a music video. In August 2020, three more tracks from the mixtape were released, as well as a music video for the track “god’s chariots”. Full Mixtape released 24 September 2020, via Because Music, TaP Records and True Panther Sounds. The tape was made largely in collaboration with Casey MQ, but also features collaborations with Sega Bodega, Shygirl, PC Music’s A. G. Cook and EASYFUN, and GRADES. It also made year end lists from Gorilla vs. Bear, Rough Trade and Dummy Mag for 2020. Mayniel also worked on remixes of Caroline Polachek’s “Door” and Dua Lipa’s “Fever” in 2020.

2024–present: Choke Enough

In 2024, Mayniel started talking about a possible new project, then released a first single “Family and Friends” in September 2024, with a music video directed by Gil Gharbi. Also featured on the track are additional vocals from Casey MQ, Cecile Believe and Zsela. Just a month later, in October 2024, a double A-side single was released with the tracks “Obvious” and “Harvest Sky” – the latter of which featured Underscores, a hyperpop artist from America. This was followed a month later by a fourth promotional track, entitled “Choke Enough”, along with an announcement for an album of the same name, later released on February 7, 2025, on the French label Because Music.The singles “Take Me by the Hand” featuring Bladee and “Blade Bird” were released to promote the album as well.

Awards and nominations

2026 Libera Awards (Independent Music Awards)

• Nominated for 5 categories including major independent music honors
• Won:
  • Best Electronic Record
  • Best Pop Record
  • Best Remix (“blade bird (Nick León Broward Mix)”)
  • Music Video of the Year (“Viscus”)

Other recognition

• Featured on major “best albums” lists for Choke Enough (2025) in international music press
• Frequent inclusion in indie/electronic festival lineups and curated showcases
• Critical acclaim across electronic pop and experimental music communities

📌 Summary

Oklou is still an emerging but highly acclaimed artist, and most of her recognition so far comes from:

• Independent music awards (Libera Awards)
• Critical reviews and “best of” lists
• Festival and industry recognition rather than mainstream award shows