Nectar Woode Explores Her Roots On Her First Trip to Ghana

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
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Nectar Woode Explores Her Roots On Her First Trip to Ghana
Nectar Woode

For Nectar Woode, a rising British-Ghanaian soul artiste signed to Sony Music, stepping onto Ghanaian soil for the first time marks more than just a travel milestone—it’s a homecoming steeped in personal and artistic significance. Born in Milton Keynes, London, to a Ghanaian father, Nectar has long carried the rhythms and traditions of her heritage in her heart, nurtured by a childhood filled with Ghanaian community gatherings, church services, and the soulful music that shaped her sound. Now, on February 20, 2025, she’s finally in Ghana, a journey she described during her appearance on 3Music TV’s Big Conversation as “always been a dream of mine because it’s half of my heritage.” This visit, made possible by her recent Sony deal, is not just a chance to reconnect with her roots—it’s a creative odyssey she’s documenting for an upcoming summer project that promises to blend her Soul-jazz essence with Ghanaian influences.
Nectar’s story begins in the nineties, when her father was among the wave of Ghanaians who settled in Milton Keynes, creating a tight-knit diaspora community. “A lot of Ghanaians moved there in the nineties,” she explained on the show. “We had a little hybrid culture over there—all the Ghanaians would meet up every weekend. We’d go to church, and then we would eat loads of food, listen to loads of music, and have a good time.” It was in this vibrant setting that Nectar’s love for music took root, influenced by her father’s passion for Jazz—he once played saxophone—and her mother’s affinity for Motown legends like Stevie Wonder. Yet, despite this deep connection, Nectar had never visited Ghana until now. “After how many years? Oh my god,” the host exclaimed, underscoring the weight of this long-awaited trip.
The timing couldn’t be more serendipitous. Fresh off signing with Sony Music—a deal that followed years of indie releases with Communion and caught the attention of major labels—Nectar seized the opportunity to explore her Ghanaian identity. “It was really hard for my dad to get all my siblings to come at the same time,” she admitted, noting the logistical challenges of such a trip from the UK. “So I signed to Sony, and we were able to do it.” Her arrival in Accra on Tuesday was met with a warm “Akwaba” (welcome) from the Big Conversation team, and even a surprise FaceTime call from Elton John, a fan of her work, adding a surreal layer to her journey. But beyond the fanfare, Nectar’s focus is clear: she’s here to immerse herself in Ghana’s rich musical landscape and weave it into her evolving artistry.
During the interview, Nectar revealed she’s already collaborating with local talents, including the acclaimed Ghanaian collective Super Jazz Club, a group she’s admired since catching their set at London’s Cross The Tracks festival last year. “I’m working currently in Ghana with Super Jazz Club,” she shared, her excitement palpable. “They blend genres really well together, and they also have an electronic side.” This partnership aligns with her vision to fuse her signature soul-jazz sound—marked by soothing chords and introspective lyrics—with the vibrant, genre-defying spirit of Ghanaian music. She’s also expressed admiration for legends like Pat Thomas and Ebo Taylor, highlife icons whose influence echoes in her love for organic, soulful compositions. “I like the old school stuff,” she said, hinting at the possibility of infusing highlife elements into her work, a genre the host championed as “one of Ghana’s very original music genres.”
This trip is more than a creative retreat—it’s a spiritual awakening. “I’m just soaking everything in,” Nectar told the host, emphasizing her open-minded approach. “I’m allowing the trip to take me in whatever direction. I’m not judging myself for making a certain type of music.” She’s documenting every moment, from the bustling energy of Accra to the collaborative sessions with local artists, for a project slated for release this summer. “It’s a very spiritual experience being half Ghanaian and being here for the first time,” she reflected, suggesting the forthcoming work will carry a deeply personal narrative. While specifics remain under wraps, she teased the inclusion of Ghanaian collaborators, potentially even Afrobeats star Mr Drew, whom she met briefly on the show, sparking collaboration buzz.
For Nectar, whose catalog includes soulful EPs like NOTHING TO LOSE and HEAD ABOVE WATER, this Ghanaian chapter represents a transformative evolution. Her music, already celebrated by figures like Elton John and played in UK supermarkets like Tesco, is poised to take on a new dimension. “I like to evolve my sound,” she explained, balancing her indie roots with soul and jazz influences. Now, with Ghana’s cultural richness at her fingertips, fans can anticipate a project that not only showcases her velvety vocals but also pays homage to the heritage she’s long yearned to embrace.

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