Nectar Woode

There is a quiet strength to Nectar Woode, a magnetic blend of depth, sensitivity, and a fiery spirit born from her search for self, which shines through in every single note. Raised in Milton Keynes—a city with a rich cultural heritage—by creative Ghanaian-British parents, Nectar has always been immersed in a world of possibilities. "I feel like my parents wouldn't be happy if I didn't follow an artistic path," she says with a laugh. Yet despite their unwavering support, the quietness of her small hometown often made speaking her dreams aloud feel like an almost subversive act. Her mother, a seamstress, encouraged her self-expression from a very young age, while her father's Ghanaian heritage infused the home with rhythm, melody, and a deep spirituality. Sundays were dedicated to church, where the harmonies of gospel choirs left a profound mark on her. At home, Nectar was surrounded by a rich musical 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 deep-seated emotion. That same emotional truth now permeates her own music; earlier this year, Elton John compared her to Nina Simone herself on his Apple Music show, Rocket Hour.