Chris Oledude links with Kiena Williams

For much of his life, Chris Oledude has existed within the overlap of music, activism and storytelling. Born Chris Owens in Puerto Rico and raised within a culturally diverse household, the Black and white-Jewish artist grew up surrounded by sound and ideas; music was a natural presence in the Owens home, where classical, folk, pop, funk and protest songs all shared equal space. It was an environment that encouraged expression and curiosity, shaping a young songwriter who would eventually build his work around truth-telling and social reflection.

Family played a central role in those early years and Chris often sang alongside his two brothers, learning the language of harmony and collaboration long before he ever stepped onto a stage. His mother, the late Ethel Werfel Owens, served as his first music teacher, introducing him to the discipline and emotional impact that music could carry. His father, the late Major R. Owens, approached life from a different but equally influential direction, moving from a career as a librarian into public service as an elected official. Together, their influence helped shape an outlook that balanced creativity with civic responsibility.

By the 1980s, Chris had begun walking his own path in music, performing throughout New York City, sometimes on the streets and sometimes with dance bands, while also collaborating with his brother Geoffrey Owens. His first releases caught the attention of folk icon Pete Seeger, a family friend who encouraged Chris to keep writing songs based in peace and social awareness, urging him to connect with other artists working within the same tradition of musical activism. However, the tragic passing of his wife, Sandra Dixon, became a turning point that led him to reconsider the role music could play in his life moving forward and in 2020 he re-emerged under the name Chris Oledude.

Now he returns with the new single titled “If A Woman Had Made The World,” a collaboration with Kiena Williams inspired by legendary vocalists including Ella Fitzgerald, Lou Rawls and Al Jarreau. The song stands as a tribute to the strength of women, written in honour of his late mother and in doing so, Chris Oledude continues stitching personal history and social awareness into a musical fabric that reflects both where he has been and what still needs to be said.

Brought in by the buzz of sweeping synth textures, the shout of crowd style vocals brings chanted energy as the steady pulse of kick and hazy swell of instrumentation surges. Jumping into a groove-driven scene of snapping percussion and slick bass energy, the arrangement blooms with bouncy piano lines as Chris’ deep vocal leads glides in to spin uplifting lyricism via buoyant melodic leads. With Kiena’s soulful voice adding contrast and another perspective to the song, the pair take turns at the mic to craft a dazzling soul pop jam packed full of danceable rhythm and memorable songwriting.

Dashed with colourful instrumentation, capped by sensational vocal performance and instilled with the shining chemistry between Chris Oledude and Kiena Williams, with “If A Woman Had Made The World,” the pair serve up a delightful musical experience that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. As Chris Oledude continues to go from strength to strength on his resumed musical adventure, we can’t wait to see what else he’s got in store for the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Listen to If A Woman Had Made The World below

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