In a world that sometimes feels unbearably heavy, it takes something truly special and heartfelt to offer relief, even if just for an ephemeral moment.
At the recent Swansea University International Students Conference, Nigerian vocalist Elvira Chioma Onyemegbulem did just that. Her performance of RISE UP by Andra Day was not just merely a musical delivery. It was a collective emotional awakening, and a moment of healing for all who listened.
Choosing Rise Up, an anthem of resilience and quiet power was no coincidence. The lyrics speak of brokenness and the courage to carry on.
The line – “You’re broken down and tired of living life on a merry-go-round…” is a sentiment familiar to many in that room. Students from across the globe, each carrying stories of home, transition, struggle, and triumph, found in Elvira’s voice a mirror to their journeys.
Elvira began her performance softly, almost prayerfully. There was a fragile honesty in her tone as she sang of weariness and sorrow. But as the song progressed, so did her strength. Her voice soared, building into a powerful crescendo that was both a cry and a promise.
When she reached the lines – “And I’ll rise up / I’ll rise like the day,” it no longer felt like a lyric, it was a declaration. She was not only singing about rising; she was lifting the entire room with her.
What made this performance one to always remember asides her vocal technique (which she has in abundance), but her ability to connect deeply with the audience. During the refrain, “For you,” repeated like a mantra, Elvira seemed to offer a personal promise to every individual present. Based on this, I sincerely agree that the audience could feel she was singing directly to them. I mean to their individual pain, hopes, quiet struggles. And that, more than anything, is the mark of a true artist.
When the final note faded, the room did not erupt into immediate applause. There was a moment of collective stillness like everyone needed a second to breathe again. Then came the clapping, the standing ovation, and yes, the tears. And not performative tears, but real ones from people who felt something shift inside them. That kind of impact is not taught; it is gifted.
Of course, no performance is without room for growth. Some lines she sang might have benefited from tighter pacing or slightly more vocal variation in order to ensure a balanced resonance. But these are small technical notes against the backdrop of what was a deeply affecting, spiritually rich performance.
What is music without emotion? What is a performance if it doesn’t touch the heart? Elvira Chioma Onyemegbulem reminded us of music’s highest purpose of not just to entertain, but to pacify souls. Elvira reminded every soul in the hall that no matter where we come from or what we are going through, we can, and will, rise again.Elvira is more than a singer. She’s a heart mender.
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