Chris Oledude – “THE CHOICE” Turns Nature Into a Powerful Message
Thing is if you’ve ever sat by a river and started thinking about the state of the world, you’ll probably get exactly where Chris Oledude is coming from. He just released a new single called “THE CHOICE” on March 29, 2026, and it’s honestly one of the most interesting “experiments” I’ve heard in a long time.
Chris has a wild backstory. He’s a New York artist who grew up in a house full of every kind of music you can imagine—folk, funk, classical, you name it. He even used to perform on the streets of NYC back in the 80s. After spending a few decades focused on politics and activism, he’s back in the music scene with a mission. He’s been winning all kinds of awards lately for his music videos, but “THE CHOICE” feels extra personal.
The track was actually inspired by a trip up the Hudson River. Looking at the water and the greenery made him think about the history of the river and the people who fought to clean it up, like the folk legend Pete Seeger. It got him thinking about how every big change starts with a single human decision.
What makes this song stand out is the melody. You get to feel these nature sounds in there, it brings this beautiful experience that makes you wanna sit by a river and take it all in, the atmosphere, the sounds by natural objects, the serenity. You don’t get these experiences anymore from a lot of music, and that’s why this is unique. But it’s no secret if it sounds familiar, that’s because it’s a total rework of the old holiday tune “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” But don’t expect a Christmas carol. Chris took that haunting, lullaby-style melody and turned it into a hard-hitting “sermon” about the environment and our future. He calls it a “bold experiment,” and it really works.
He didn’t do it alone, either. He teamed up with a young guitarist named Zachary Staples, who went to Berkeley, and a group of ten family members and friends who provided the background vocals. You can hear that “big sound” influence from bands he loves like Rush, Jethro Tull, and even Beethoven. It’s got a bit of that progressive rock drama but stays grounded in that folk-style storytelling.
Since Earth Day 2026 is right around the corner, the timing for this is perfect. With everything going on in the world, Chris wanted to remind us that the health of the planet is still the biggest issue we’ve got. It’s a thought-provoking track that doesn’t just sound good—it actually makes you want to do something.
If you’re into music that has a bit of a backbone and a lot of heart, “THE CHOICE” is definitely worth a spin. It’s a powerful reminder that the choices we make today are the ones that shape the world for everyone else later.
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