To celebrate Black History Month, Atwood Magazine has invited various artists to contribute essays that explore themes of identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.
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Today, Manchester rapper OneDa presents her poem, ‘THE IMPOSTER,’ which delves into the struggles of being both Black and British, and describes her experiences as a British woman with recently discovered Nigerian roots, as part of Atwood Magazine’s Black History Month initiative!
OneDa, an artist who resists being categorized, lets her music speak for itself. Her tracks, characterized by her bold demeanor and skillful wordplay, blend influences from Manchester's hip-hop and drum and bass scenes with an eclectic mix of afro-trap and hints of afrobeats that draw from her Nigerian heritage. Beyond her lyrical prowess, OneDa's talent lies in seamlessly blending her dynamic poetic verses with ever-shifting rhythms. Her remarkable linguistic ability positions her as a distinctive talent and a skilled artisan. Recognized by ‘The Face’ as one of the prominent MCs driving the eh renaissance, OneDa is a versatile artist dedicated to empowering others. She is now launching her journey with her self-produced debut album, ‘Formula OneDa,’ set to release in 2024 through Heavenly Recordings.
Inspired by passionate American rappers like Eve, Nas, Missy Elliott, and Lauryn Hill while growing up, her distinctive Mancunian accent infused with Pidgin English results in a sound that is unmistakably OneDa. Raised in Hulme in a devout Nigerian household, her heritage prominently shapes her music, reflecting her commitment to incorporating her authentic self into her work. Her musical journey began at age six with music reading lessons, followed by a move to Gorton at seven, and performing in the gospel group ‘In Depth,’ which led her into Manchester’s hip-hop scene. For years, she toured as the lead rapper with The Mouse Outfit and recently became involved in the city’s vibrant drum and bass scene, which has nurtured talents like Zed Bias and Trigger. Her signature hashtag #MannyOnTheRise is a recurring theme in her art and social media. "Manchester is where I was born; it’s where I fell in love with music," she states. "I see Manchester as an integral part of who I am, even though I am a Nigerian woman; this has always been my home. I envision myself rising, and Manchester is a part of that."
Read OneDa’s poem for Black History Month below, and check out her recently released album on your favorite music streaming platforms!
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by OneDa
The struggle of being Black and British and how I navigate my life as a British woman with a newly discovered Nigerian heritage.
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British girl from an African home
African girl with a British touch
Two sides of the same coin with distinct meanings
At times, this feels like my home
Other times, I contemplate leaving,
Even
I struggle to distinguish between the two
My viewpoint shaped by my perspective.
When I look at my family, I'm a Nijai girl, Igbo
Tribe Proud as A people Oh
Make sure you study hard because they don’t see you as equal Oh
And then I consider the place that gave birth to my body,
Which gave me my voice, my accent, I’m Manny
Up north, where we mix Bud with Baccy!
Rainy for most of the year, but during the two weeks of summer, we rejoice.
It feels like Africa holds my spirit while Britain has my body.
But there’s no body without a soul
And of course there’s no body without a soul,
I eat Pounded yam on a Monday,
I don’t chew; I just swallow the yam whole.
No knives and forks accompany my plate and bowl
Hands and fingers getting involved.
Soul food
To most Brits, it’s an unknown cuisine
The kind of food in Primary School you’d keep hidden,
Embarrassed by the questions that followed the meal
Feeling like the imposter, a Black face with a British accent I borrow
True
I look in the mirror, feeling conflicted,
Afro hair stays elevated.
Melanated and Gifted
Cultural constraints
Keep me restricted
Concluded Misfit
Why is this?
IMPOSTER
They say a Black man has a specific
Posture
A Black woman has a distinct attitude
British girls don’t pronounce their T’s
But drink tea; when they eat their tea
Still confuses me.
Accepting I am akin to both
Ingesting their cultural misconceptions
Leading me to choke
Half a pint and a bag of smoke
Flexing my agua under my parka coat
Both sides of the coin
Unique to myself
Self-hatred at a cost,
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Manchester rapper OneDa presents her poem, ‘THE IMPOSTER,’ which explores the struggle of being both Black and British. She reflects on her experiences as a British woman with Nigerian roots in Atwood Magazine's Black History Month series.