EP Review: OneDa - OneDa Land

Since returning to the Manchester rap scene around 3 years ago, OneDa has been on a hot streak, and her latest EP OneDa Land is yet another roaring success.

2019 was a real star-making year for the 0161 native, as she headlined at Manchester Pride, as well as BBC’s Introducing at Manchester Festival – becoming the first female rapper to do so. On top of all that, she helped create the all-female collective HERchester, which aims to give up-and-coming female artists opportunities at breaking into the industry.

She’s continued that fantastic run of form into 2020, with the sassy single ‘My Way’ following a remix of her smash from the previous year, ‘Deliveroo’, and now this latest EP.

OneDa’s plain spoken lyrical style and trap style production has made for a truly special combination and has led to her becoming one of the most unique voices in British rap. The project gets off to an electric start with ‘Never Been Tho Freestyle’, where OneDa’s lyrical prowess takes centre stage as she focuses on her rise in the northern music scene, and takes aim at those that doubted her throughout her career. The trap vibes on the album really shine on ‘Higher’ and ‘Healing Flow’, two bangers that would be lighting up dancefloors up and down the country if that kind of thing was allowed right now, and the EP comes to an emphatic and memorable end with ‘Brave’, an in-your-face anthem about staying true to yourself and rising above the hate.

OneDa has become a powerhouse in the Northern music scene in the last two years, and it’s clear to see why. She’s a visionary who is eager to give back to the scene and provide opportunities that she was never afforded, and she makes some absolute bangers to boot.

Words: Jordan Morris