Mateo Bowles, known professionally as Teo, is an American dancer, rapper, and content creator best known as one half of the sibling duo Ayo & Teo, whose 2017 single “Rolex” peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
He and his older brother Ayleo Bowles built their career through viral dance challenges before signing with Columbia Records and performing alongside Usher at the 2016 BET Awards.
Who is Mateo Bowles?
Mateo Bowles is one half of Ayo & Teo, the American rap and dance duo he forms with his older brother Ayleo Bowles.
Together they grew from YouTube dance videos into Billboard-charting artists signed to Columbia Records.
The duo is known for their trademark bear face masks, which became part of their signature visual identity.
Their style blends hip-hop, trap-influenced production, and high-energy choreography drawn from years of self-taught dance practice.
Mateo started dancing as a young child alongside Ayleo and never took formal dance classes.
They taught themselves by studying artists including Usher, Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott, and Chris Brown, as well as films like Breakin’ and Step Up.
His fan community knows him specifically as Teo, while his brother goes by Ayo. The duo’s name, Ayo & Teo, comes directly from those two nicknames.
Early Life of Mateo Bowles
Mateo Bowles was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and grew up there with his older brother Ayleo.
The two brothers shared an early obsession with dance and began training together at a young age without any formal instruction.
Their influences came entirely from watching music videos and films. Artists like Usher, Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott, and Chris Brown shaped their style.
Movies like Breakin’ and Step Up gave them a visual vocabulary for their choreography.
Both brothers attended Ypsilanti Community High School in Michigan. After finishing high school, Ayleo went on to attend Washtenaw Community College.
The brothers’ bond remained central to every part of their creative life.
Their first major public performance came at their high school’s talent show, which they filmed and uploaded to YouTube on November 6, 2014.
That video drew over 1 million views and served as the starting point for their online career.
Mateo Bowles Age / Birthday
Mateo Bowles is 27 years old as of 2026, born on August 29, 1999. His zodiac sign is Virgo, a sign often linked with discipline and a strong work ethic.
By 27, he has already spent more than a decade performing, recording, and releasing music as part of one of the internet’s most recognizable dance duos.
Mateo Bowles Ethnicity and Nationality
Mateo Bowles holds American nationality, born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His ethnic background is Black.
The Bowles brothers grew up immersed in Black musical traditions, from hip-hop to R&B, which directly shaped the sound and style of Ayo & Teo.
Mateo Bowles Height and Weight
Mateo Bowles stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, or approximately 1.67 meters. His weight is reported at around 136 lbs, or 62 kg.
As a professional dancer, he maintains a lean, athletic build that supports the high-energy performances Ayo & Teo are known for.
Mateo Bowles Career
Mateo and Ayleo Bowles launched their YouTube channel on November 14, 2011, originally posting dance content and original choreography.
Their first video to gain wide attention came in 2014, shot at their high school talent show, and it crossed one million views.
From there, the brothers built a following through viral dance challenges and original choreography posted across YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms.
Their big break came in 2016 when Chris Brown reposted their content, which rapidly expanded their audience.
Early Career and Rise (2014–2016)
The brothers began to gain serious traction in 2015 and 2016 as their dance videos spread on social media.
Chris Brown’s endorsement, through reposting their videos, helped them reach a much larger audience.
In 2016, they issued their first single, “In Reverse,” which introduced them as music artists alongside their identity as dancers.
That same year, they danced at the 2016 BET Awards, sharing the stage with Usher.
They also appeared in Usher’s music video for “No Limit” and in Chris Brown’s video for “Party.”
Those high-profile appearances established them as both performance artists and video collaborators.
Breakthrough: “Rolex” (2017)
In early 2017, Ayo & Teo released “Lit Right Now” as a follow-up to their debut. Later that year, they released “Rolex,” which became their breakout hit.
“Rolex” peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and accumulated over 561 million views on YouTube.
The song sparked a viral dance challenge and earned 2x Platinum certification in the United States.
Following the song’s success, the duo signed with Columbia Records and relocated from Michigan to Atlanta to further their music careers. “Better Off Alone” arrived later in 2017 as a follow-up single.
Later Releases and Solo Work (2018–Present)
In 2018, Ayo & Teo released “Hold My Sauce” and “Ay3,” featuring Lil Yachty. They also released “Fly N Ghetto” in 2019.
In 2024, Mateo released a solo single titled “BOLETA,” and in 2025, he appeared on “Catalina,” showing continued activity as a solo artist.
The brothers also released “HOME” and “Trophy” in recent years as a duo, indicating Ayo & Teo remains active.
The duo has never officially disbanded and continues to release music as their schedules allow.
Mateo Bowles Discography
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | In Reverse | Debut single |
| 2017 | Lit Right Now | Second single |
| 2017 | Rolex | No. 20 Billboard Hot 100, 2x Platinum |
| 2017 | Better Off Alone | Single |
| 2018 | Hold My Sauce | Single |
| 2018 | Ay3 (feat. Lil Yachty) | Single |
| 2019 | Fly N Ghetto | Single |
| 2024 | BOLETA | Solo single (Mateo/Teo) |
Mateo Bowles Net Worth
Mateo Bowles’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million as of 2026. His income comes from music releases, YouTube ad revenue, live performances, and brand deals.
The duo’s YouTube channel accumulated hundreds of millions of video views over the course of their career.
Their streaming income from “Rolex” alone, which has crossed 561 million YouTube views, contributes ongoing royalties.
Their live performance history, including the 2016 BET Awards appearance and concert bookings after the success of “Rolex,” also formed a meaningful part of their total earnings.
Mateo Bowles Social Media
Mateo Bowles and Ayo & Teo maintain an active presence across platforms:
- Instagram: @ayoandteo — the duo’s joint account, used for music and performance updates
- YouTube: the Ayo & Teo channel, which they launched in 2011 and where “Rolex” and other videos accumulated hundreds of millions of views
- TikTok: active for dance content and music promotion
Both brothers maintain individual profiles in addition to their joint accounts, though the duo’s shared pages remain their primary public-facing presence.
Conclusion
Mateo Bowles and his brother Ayleo turned self-taught choreography into one of the most viral music moments of 2017, with “Rolex” hitting the Billboard Hot 100 and racking up over half a billion YouTube views.
Their path from a Michigan high school talent show to a Columbia Records deal shows how quickly dance and social media combined can move a career.