Definition of "ayo"

"Ayo, Red. It's the homie Spits on the jack for you, blood." "Ayo, homeboy," said Red as he excitedly picked up the telephone receiver. "What's up, fool?"

2004, Michael Daniel Baptiste, Cracked Dreams, page 73

“Ayo, wassup, girl,” he said to Keisha as he continued to walk toward the back area where I stood. […] “Ayo, wassup, playa?

2007, Reginald L. Hall, In Love with a Thug, page 38

Ayo Toine, you think they'd put me down?

2007, Tony J. Ward, Jr., I've Got to Make It to Heaven for Going Through Hell: Part 1, page 39

"Ayo, fam, you a'ight down there?" Victorious's cell mate asked.

2007, Nikki Turner, Christmas in the Hood, page 289

"Ayo, ma, where you going?" a dude asked her as she walked by him.

2008, Treasure Hernandez, Resurrection, page 106

"Ayo, Kalil!" a man's voice said from amidst the crowd. Kalil looked up and saw his lil' man, Peanut, distributing packets of heroin and taking money from the fiends.

2008, Ashley JaQuavis, The Trophy Wife, page 103

"Ayo, Cee, listen to this shit here," said Matt, passing him his cell.

2010, R Green Damon, Somethin' to Think about, page 197