Boston’s own Echezona returns to our pages like an old friend stepping into the room with that unmistakable presence — the kind that makes you put your phone down and just listen. As the vocalist and lyricist behind the album Ényì (released April 22, 2025), Echezona has already proven he’s a storyteller with a deep emotional range. Partnering with producer JPRiZM, they craft music that doesn’t just play through speakers; they stay in your space. And with “Rare,” he delivers one of his most intimate performances yet.
From the first notes, “Rare” feels like a soft confession under moonlight. The production is understated but rich. There’s no overproduction here, no need for sonic fireworks. Instead, JPRiZM builds a spacious soundscape where every beat knows its place, giving Echezona’s words room to breathe.
And those words? They hit with quiet precision: “the love is there, but the love is rare.” It’s the kind of line that creeps into your thoughts hours later, the truth wrapped in simplicity. The blend of English and Igbo — “Na ututu, na ehihe…” and “Osondi, Owendi” grounds the track in cultural richness while making the message universal.
Vocally, Echezona is in full control. His tone is smooth yet edged with vulnerability, carrying that bittersweet mix of love and resignation. He slides between conversational delivery and melodic runs like a man who knows exactly when to lean in and when to step back. There’s swag in his restraint — a confidence in letting emotion, not volume, carry the song.
The performance feels almost like a private moment caught on tape — a late-night conversation where the silences matter as much as the words. It’s afropop stripped of excess, leaving only the essentials: rhythm, melody, and truth.
“Rare” is a reminder of why Echezona has become a favorite here. He’s not just giving us songs; he’s giving us snapshots of the heart, framed in a way only he can. And with this track, he doesn’t just return — he reminds us exactly why we welcomed him in the first place.
Listen to “Rare” on Spotify
You can follow Echezona here for more information.
