Nectar Woode

Presented by Öctöpus Nectar Woode possesses a quiet strength, a magnetic blend of depth, sensitivity, and a fiery passion born from her self-discovery, which shines through in every note she sings

Presented by Öctöpus

Nectar Woode possesses a quiet strength, a magnetic blend of depth, sensitivity, and a fiery passion born from her self-discovery, which shines through in every note she sings. Raised in Milton Keynes, a city with a rich cultural heritage, by creative Ghanaian-British parents, Nectar was always immersed in a world of possibilities. “I feel like my parents wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t pursue an artistic path,” she says with a laugh. But despite their unwavering support, the calm of her small hometown often made her vocalised dreams feel almost subversive. Her mother, a seamstress, encouraged her self-expression from a young age, while her father’s Ghanaian heritage imbued the home with rhythm, melody, and deep spirituality. Sundays were dedicated to church, where the harmonies of gospel choirs left a profound mark on her. At home, Nectar was steeped in a rich sonic universe – from Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu to Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway – artists who taught her that soul is not just a genre, but a profound emotion. This same emotional truth now permeates her own music; earlier this year, Elton John himself compared her to Nina Simone on his Rocket Hour show on Apple Music.