OneDa was named by the Face as one of the key MC’s at the forefront of the drum ‘n’ bass renaissance, her linguistic talent distinguishes her as a unique force of nature and a master craftswoman. Her tracks incorporate elements from the hip-hop and drum and bass scenes of her home city of Manchester before adding an eclectic mix of afro-trap and tinges of afrobeats that lean into her Nigerian heritage.
OneDa says of her work creating Connections for the Forest of Bowland National Landscapes Nature Calling commission:
"Creating Connections was a deeply immersive journey of exploration, reflection, and collaboration. The Forest of Bowland—vast, serene, and unfamiliar—became both a source of inspiration and a space for personal and creative transformation. This project wasn’t just about writing; it was about engaging with the land, its sounds, and the stories it holds to craft an experience that resonates beyond the written word.
To connect with Bowland, I visited the area several times, allowing myself to fully absorb its essence. Each visit revealed something new: the texture of the terrain, the rhythm of the natural world, and the quiet power of its expansiveness. These experiences challenged my perceptions and invited me to consider how spaces like these—often seen as distant or exclusive—could be gateways to escapism, reflection, and freedom.
A significant part of my process involved facilitating Hip-Hop and spoken word workshops with young people from surrounding areas. These sessions gave me valuable insight into their perspectives and experiences of Bowland, adding a rich layer of depth and authenticity to the piece. Their voices shaped the work, reminding me of the importance of community and collaboration in art.
Alongside the written piece, I created a soundscape to bring the Forest of Bowland to life in an auditory form. I collected sounds during my visits—rustling leaves, trickling streams, distant bird calls—and combined them with my own audio elements to produce a layered, atmospheric accompaniment. This soundscape amplifies the themes of Connections, creating an immersive experience where listeners can not only hear the words but also feel the landscape. It was about bridging the gap between what is seen and what is felt, making the spoken word piece come alive in a multidimensional way.
As a Black artist, this process carried additional significance. Navigating spaces like Bowland—places often disconnected from the stories and histories I grew up with—challenged me to break down barriers, both external and internal. It became an opportunity to rewrite my relationship with nature and reflect on the ways these landscapes can serve as spaces for healing, discovery, and belonging.
The creative process was intuitive and layered. The writing emerged from fragments of thought—images, sounds, and emotions gathered on my visits. The soundscape allowed me to delve even deeper, weaving the auditory and the poetic into a unified experience. Together, these elements became Connections: a piece that speaks not only to the beauty of the Forest of Bowland but to the power of curiosity, freedom, and the act of seeking.
Ultimately, Connections is an invitation. It asks listeners and readers alike to wander, to question, and to immerse themselves in the unknown. It’s about finding beauty beneath the surface, breaking boundaries, and allowing ourselves to truly connect—with nature, with others, and with ourselves."
