Western Sydney rapper/producer BLESSED signs to Matt Corby’s Rainbow Valley

Guitar-wielding BLESSED has signed to Matt Corby’s Rainbow Valley label.

Corby lends backing vocals on BLESSED’s debut for the label, ‘No Changes’.

The track addresses injustices and hardships felt across the nation, with its video filmed in Western Sydney featuring members of his family and his collective, “the people that have helped BLESSED become the man he is today”.

“This song is very special and dear to my heart,” according to the artist.

“It’s the first time I have had my family and extended family involved in my creative vision.

“Together we project a positive message filled with hope and a desire for a better tomorrow.”

He describes ‘No Changes’ as an anthemic commentary on what seems like an endless battle to be seen, heard and treated equally.

“A battle that all of us universally share in both communal and unique ways.”

Rainbow Valley’s Corby, Alex Henriksson and Jeremy Hancock issued a joint statement:

“BLESSED truly represents what it is to be a musician and a human in the modern age,” they said.

“It felt universal on all fronts for us all to be put together right now, culturally and artistically.

“We all shared such similar trials and tribulations on our journeys that meeting now and engaging in a working relationship is fitting.

“Our love for prolific abilities and quality expression are the core of what will drive us into the future.

“BLESSED doesn’t need anyone getting in his way in the next step of his journey.

“Rather someone to grease the wheels and we believe we are the ones to do that for him.

“We will not only be standing there behind his as a label we will be right there with him in the studio being a part of history as he carves a new path for international hip hop coming out of New South Wales.”

Last year BLESSED released Lockdown Tapes Vol. 1, entirely conceived, written, produced, recorded and released during the NSW lockdown.

It was not only therapeutic but emphasised the strong relationships across the biz, featuring Western Sydney artists Jaecy & Chirine.

BLESSED has been working in the Australian hip hop scene – even working with an unknown The Kid LAROI – but under the name Miracle.

His credits and sessions also include COL3TRANE, J.LBS/Jason Pounds (Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar, Jorja Smith), Manu Crooks, Maina Doe, Anfa Rose, B Wise, JOY., Matt Black and Milan Ring.

In 2020, he released his debut mixtape, Music Is The Medicine via his own label Godspeed, which included an approved sample from Rosalia and collaboration with Ghanian-American act AMAARAE.

The BLESSED name came from when he was a baby in Ghana and had breathing problems.

His parents, both Christian missionaries, prayed fervently.

When he recovered, they named him Blessed Samuel Joe-Andah.

They migrated to Australia not long after, staying in Melbourne, then Canberra and then in the Western Sydney suburb of Quakers Hill.

The boy stayed close to the church and the West African community.

BLESSED grew up listening to Jimi Hendrix, Kanye West and Kurt Cobain – “people who went against the grain”.

Most recently, he co-produced multiple tracks on Milan Ring’s debut album, I’m Feeling Hopeful, featuring on its lead single, ‘Sydney Hue’.

He also featured and co-produced B Wise’s ‘Black Visionary’, from his debut record, jamie.

He also performed as part of Sydney Opera House’s Liminal series in November 2021.