Nigerian-American singer/songwriter Echezona, is celebrating his Igbo heritage on his new album, Ényì, released in April 2025.
Produced by frequent collaborator, JPRiZM, the album delves into the core of the human experience, touching on themes of love, community, and self-discovery.
The word “enyi” means “friend” in the Igbo language of Nigeria. The Nigerian-American Echezona (Onwuama) is a multi-lingual singer, rapper, and songwriter who grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston.
Raised by Nigerian immigrant parents, Echezona is a Son of Africa and a Son of America. His artistry reflects his multicultural exposures and is a fusion of afrofusion, R&B, soul, hip hop, and afrobeat.
Fluent in lgbo (the native language of his parents), Echezona is a living embodiment of a blend of cultural influences. When growing up, Nigerian music played in his home while hip hop was his influence in the inner-city streets.
Echezona explains: “These 9 records come straight from the heart. They were written to feel like a friend sitting next to you, sharing stories of raw honesty and openness. Through these songs, we wanted to celebrate the strength and beauty of the everywoman, embrace the richness of African culture, and spark a sense of togetherness.
Echezona further explains the meaning behind “Flaws” as an example. “Flaws” is a testament to overcoming defeats and failures and accepting that no one can expect perfection, even oneself. Personally, I remember feeling horrible after flunking a driving test one day but after I got over the disappointment, I tried again and passed. That experience inspired me to write “Flaws”. We all have been there with something; all have had to face a shortcoming or some adversity. When we’re going through something like that, it can be tough. But eventually we need to uplift ourselves, and at times we all need to be uplifted by another. I just want to see everyone win at whatever they’re pursuing.”
Producer/collaborator JPRiZM elaborates about Ényì: “At their core, these records carry themes of love, community, and making a difference in each other’s lives. It’s about communicating with and feeling for one another. Ényì speaks to the joys and the challenges we face in life. Several years in the making, we’ve been creating and storing many songs in the vault. We just felt it was the right time now to release to the world what we’ve been creating. We’re pleased with the spectrum of music and storytelling that this album represents. There’s music to be enjoyed by everyone.”
Listen to Ényi by Echezona
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