It has been said before that Obongjayar’s music is hard to describe, and that statement holds for his latest single, “Never Change.” The track is a fusion of Afrobeat, soul, and poetic lyrics. He alternates between his distinctive raspy voice and a smooth, light tone to create a melodic groove.

Obongjayar is a Nigerian artist based in London, and he has been making waves for some time. His first EP titled Home was released in 2016, followed by Bassey in 2017. He also made an appearance on Richard Russell’s EP, Close But Not Quite, which was released in 2017.

“Never Change” was the second single he released last year after “Adjacent Heart.” According to Obongjayar, the song was inspired by his experiences growing up in Nigeria.

“It is a reflection on growing older and seeing the world through a different lens, witnessing the corruptions and negativity that often surrounds us – and an attempt to maintain the innocence of childhood,” he said in a press release.

In the track, Obongjayar reminisces about his childhood:

“Screaming till we lose our voices,
Hope we never lose our smiles
Remember when it rained and we danced outside
We didn’t have much, but we had life
Tell me that is all that matters”

In another part of the song, he sings:

“These mother******* took away my innocence,
I won’t let them do the same to you”

Obongjayar’s unique sound and his versatility make his music one-of-a-kind. His songs are soothing and have a spiritual feel. Check out the video of “Never Change” below.