New 'spoken word' piece by OneDa
We are excited to publish a unique piece of spoken word, CONNECTIONS (also see below), written and performed by OneDa, as the first part of our contribution to the national Nature Calling arts programme, funded by the Arts Council and Defra.
OneDa is a Manchester-based rapper and BBC 6 Music favourite. OneDa’s music blends hip-hop, drum and bass, afro-trap and afrobeats. Fresh from an amazing year in 2024, including multiple award wins and the release of her debut album ‘Formula OneDa’, OneDa’s ‘Connections’ rap brings to life her visits to the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.
As part of her commission, OneDa worked with young people from Burnley and Pendle to develop their creative writing skills, and to find out more about what they thought of the Forest of Bowland area. One of the participants, Saj, said, “My favourite part about the workshops was meeting OneDa. She taught us how to make a song, which I enjoyed, and I learned a lot from them.”
OneDa herself said of the process “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.
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.
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.
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.”
Later in 2025 we look forward to sharing work by our second artist, Rob St John, who will be creating a number of art installations (sounds, video and textile based) to be 'found' at sites across the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill. Rob is being supported by Lancaster Arts as part of the Nature Calling programme, and you can find out more about his work, entitled 'Are You Lost?': www.lancasterarts.org/youre-invited/projects/nature-calling-are-you-lost
Nature Calling is led by the National Landscape Associationand executive creative producers Activate Performing Arts. Poetry Schoolare supporting the work nationally, and geographically spread National Landscapes will operate as key hubs of activity including Mendip Hills, Chilterns, Dorset, Forest of Bowland, Lincolnshire Wolds, and Surrey Hills. You can read more about this and the other written artists new work here: www.naturecalling.org.uk/
Keep an eye on our socials as we announce developments with the project during 2025.
Partner Links:
- OneDa
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/onedawall
X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/onedawall
- Lancaster Arts
Instagram: Lancasterartsuk
X: Lancasterarts
- Blaze Youth Arts
https://www.facebook.com/blazeyoutharts
Instagram: blazearts_