“I founded Herchester because when I was starting out with music, there were no women or non-binary people in the industry”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY DEBBIE ELLIS
Manchester’s very own OneDa is returning with a roar, following up her acclaimed Pussy Power EP with an electrifying new single Set It Off. Released today (28 May), Set It Off blends bombastic drum and bass with the sharp lyricism that many have come to associate with OneDa.
Having already stirred crowds supporting the likes of Kneecap and Baxter Dury, OneDa is solidifying her position as one of the UK’s most thrilling hip-hop artists. With poignant lyrics and charisma that is off the charts, she dives deep into the complexities of life, love, and liberation.
But OneDa’s impact doesn’t stop at music. She’s actively engaged in community initiatives, running hip-hop therapy sessions for youth in East Manchester and championing projects like Herchester, dedicated to empowering womxn, non-binary, and transgender MCs. Her ambition extends far beyond the charts, aiming to establish a hip-hop therapy school catering to all ages, using music as a force for positive change.
As 2024 unfolds, OneDa’s star continues to rise, with praise pouring in from BBC Radio 6, DJ Mag, NTS, Wonderland, UKF, and The Line of Best Fit. With her unwavering determination, OneDa promises to make an indelible mark on the global music scene.
Join us as we catch up with the Manchester superstar.
How did you get into music?
I was part of a hip-hop group, and I did some festival tours with them. I started my own solo career three years ago. I decided to go out on my own and got a manager. I got with Heavenly Recordings later. I am still at the beginning of my journey, I have a long way to go.
Was music something you always wanted to do?
When I was in school I was a naughty kid. I got kicked out a lot. A lot of times it was because I was MCing to my friends. It was like my party trick, rather than me taking it seriously as being an artist. It was just something I could do. I didn’t really take it seriously until I got into my 20s.
What can you tell us about your debut album?
The album has been a long time in the making. I’ve been working on that since last March. It’s been a journey of finding myself. At the start of the album, I was quite new to producing. I got better throughout the year. Also, I didn’t realise how big of a project it was going to be or how long it would be. It’s been a journey. It’s been a good journey because I’ve learnt a lot, but it’s also been a slog to get it to where it is now. I’m happy that it’s finally seeing the finish line. It’s like a big weight off my shoulders.
What can we expect from this new album?
On this album, I wanted to show the breadth of what I can do. There’s a lot of writing. There are a lot of different influences, and a few different genre blends in there. There’s drum and bass, there’s hip hop, a bit of Afro, a bit of Jungle in there, even some RnB in there. It’s just showing the breadth of what I can do. From here, I’m going to start narrowing things down. I wanted to show people that I’m not a one-trick pony, there’s a lot that I can give and I can do.
If you feel comfortable, could you tell us about your own coming-out story?
I came out to my friends first. I was quite late – I was in my mid-twenties when I came out. It took me a while to talk to my family – mainly to my mum and dad. I lived with them at the time. They kicked me out and I wasn’t allowed to speak to my nieces and nephews. It was weird with my family for about two years. But now they’re all sweet. Everyone is cool. In my music, I did a song called All I Know around that time and that reflected how I felt about that situation and being a black sheep because I was lesbian. It was a bit of a hard time for me then, but it was also when I became conscious of who I was as a person.
What’s it like being on tour?
It’s amazing, that’s when I can put my freedom into motion. I can just run about the stage. I don’t dance dance, I just bedroom dance. Anything goes. There’s no routine. No structure to it! Just having 2,000 people shout Pussy Power is sick.
Could you tell us a bit more about Herchester?
I founded Herchester because when I was starting out with music, there were no women or non-binary people in the industry. There was no one in the industry that I could relate to. There was no one. I wanted to create that space for other female and non-binary rappers coming up so that they can grow within a scene without having to feel uncomfortable or being put in certain situations or feeling like they have to be a certain way. In Herchester you can just be yourself. That’s the beauty of it. When you accept being yourself, that’s when your creativity will grow further. Then you start to be free more and you’ll start and try out new things within your music. Once you’re in that safe space your music will just grow. That’s what Herchester is about.
Manchester is one of the most iconic homes of music and LGBTQIA Pride. How does the city inspire you?
The city has inspired me so much. Manchester is the birthplace of where I fell in love with music. It will always have my heart. I shout “Manny on the rise” a lot as an ode to Manchester. Manchester as a creative metropolis is crazy. There are so many things happening now. Manchester has always been a place for music, but I think now even more so.
You can listen to Set It Off now.
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