Halifax Afro-Folk Artist Blessing Tangban Offers Ethereal and Hopeful single “Prayer”
Emerging from New Orleans’ vibrant jazz scene, Blessing Tangban debuted an introspective, vulnerable, and folky sound with 2014’s debut EP Nowhere Girl which opened us up to the world of a lost 15-year-old Nigerian immigrant in America, starting college, falling in love, getting heartbroken and finding her faith.
Over the course of the last decade, Blessing’s musical career continues to bloom. Her soulful musical spirit has led her to tours around the world, working with renowned African musicians (Johnny Drille, M.I. Abaga) and having her music synced in multiple films. She now resides in Canada where the country has welcomed her with multiple prestigious shows and Canadian artist collaborations. Blessing also won the Galaxy Music Award for best vocal performance for her song “Tebe Tebe.” She’s currently nominated for five African Nova Scotian Music Awards (ANSMA) at their 26th annual ceremony for Rising Star of the Year, Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for her song “Teach Me.”
Blessing’s latest single, “Prayer,” is a transcendent and hopeful piece written as a prayer to God that she would get through a valley of uncertainty and false promises in her music career and life. The beautiful single is quite literally a written down prayer to God by Blessing which she also hopes restores faith in her listener to continue to be bold and trust in God during times of low light.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Blessing Tangban, I am an award-winning, Nigerian afro-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Halifax, Canada.
My music is a unique fusion of emotionally stirring Afro-folk melodies that melds evocative storytelling with the ethereal sounds of my finger-picked acoustic guitar.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
“Prayer,” is a transcendent and hopeful piece that takes you on an emotive journey that melds evocative storytelling with the ethereal sounds of the piano, creating an ambiance that’s both serene and compelling. The beautiful single is quite literally a prayer I wrote to God, affirming all his promises to me when I was encountering valleys and pitfalls in my personal life and music career.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you follow a specific method or creative routine?
I consider music an outlet for my thoughts and feelings so I don’t really go in with the intention of writing a song. If I am having a thought or a feeling, in my head it is playing out as a song so writing it out and recording it is simply a form of transferring my thoughts to paper.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release?
Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?: I have a music video for the release which is already on YouTube. I did some extensive touring this year prior to the release so I am mostly focused on engaging with the followers online with this release and having them enjoy the song. In the near future I will also do a live version of this release as well.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
yeah, I would say this year, being nominated for five ANSMA awards at a go. It feels good to be appreciated and seen.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
oh yeah, there’s this artist I really love and find very creative especially lyrically. His name is Ikomboy! you should check him out.