photo by Alexandre Eldoh
At just 25, British-Ghanaian artist Nectar Woode has carved a distinct place in UK soul and jazz. Raised in Milton Keynes by creatively minded parents, she grew up immersed in gospel, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Stevie Wonder, roots that now pulse through her own work. Elton John recently compared her to Nina Simone on his Rocket Hour show, calling out her unmistakable voice and emotional depth.
Her 2022 debut EP Nothing to Lose (Communion) introduced her blend of neo-soul, folk, gospel, and jazz, led by breakout track “Good Vibrations,” which hit 11M streams. The follow-up, Head Above Water (2024), pushed further into jazz and won her a BBC Radio 1 Track of the Week, sold-out London headline shows, and tour slots with Leon Bridges and NAO.
Now signed to Since93/RCA, Woode’s latest project it’s like I never left (2025) deepens her exploration of dual heritage and identity, written partly in Ghana where she collaborated with Joey Turks & Øbed from Accra’s SuperJazzClub and drew on ancestral influence. The record features production from Jordan Rakei and highlights like “Only Happen” and “Lose,” affirming her as both an heir to and an innovator within modern soul.
Alongside her own releases, Woode has become a respected voice in the UK independent scene—hosting a monthly Soho Radio show with Women in Jazz, performing at major festivals, and interviewing artists at Glastonbury for Spotify Fresh Finds. With over 815,000 monthly listeners, sold-out shows, and fans ranging from Elton John to the BBC, Nectar Woode is emerging as one of the most vital young voices in UK music.
Your new EP, it's like I never left is out now, what’s the story behind it? What were you processing or exploring when you wrote it?
The story behind my project is all through my dual heritage identity and the self-discovery of it all. I was lucky enough to go to ghana and finish writing the EP out there and beforehand I had wrote Only Happen which was me sharing my experience of being from dual heritage and not feeling like I belonged on either side and after writing this one it brought a lot of emotions and questions to the surface before going to ghana. Would I be accepted? How would people treat me, even though my heritage lies here. Fast forward me arriving in Ghana and being welcomed with open arms. I wanted to portray this whole journey in my project.
Nectar Woode at Jools Holland photo by Alex Bean
What’s one thing every artist should know before stepping into a studio for the first time?
They shouldn’t know anything! Be yourself and in tune with yourself and that is when you create the most authentic music.
What advice would you give to an artist who’s still playing open mics and figuring out their sound?
Don’t be offended if people talk over your set, that still happens to people that are playing the big boy festivals - it's not a reflection on you or your music - they just don’t know you yet. Also voice note your gigs so you can listen back and really hear how you did - sometimes the gig is different out front to what you hear.
What’s something that helps you stay grounded when the pressure is high?
Cooking! I love to cook after a gig and during this project launch I found cooking grounded me and made me feel at peace when things became a bit much - I also love cooking in silence sometimes to quiet my mind.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about what it takes to grow as an independent artist?
It takes a whole bunch of studio sessions and gigs to discover who you are as an artist before people start to discover you. I know we live in an age of social media being very prominent but don't let that stop you from doing the active work of understanding your craft and your songwriting and identity and people will cling onto that more when you start to post
3 women in the music industry who inspire you and why.
Carol King - amazing songwriter! Little Simz - challenging the norm/bending genres and an all round beautiful human, Kokoroko (band) - showing as a female musician/composer you can create a whole community
What are you listening to on repeat right now?
Curiosity - Richie