Stick Fight

We say

Kickstarting our Ones To Watch 2026 is rising British-Ghanaian soul star Nectar Woode. The 25-year-old Milton Keynes-raised, London-based artist has had a remarkable year — signing to Since 93/RCA, surpassing 1m Spotify monthly listeners, and earning widespread tastemaker acclaim for her warm blend of soulful vocals, jazz-inflected chords, and R&B rhythms. Elton John compared her to Nina Simone on his Rocket Hour show, while fans now include Jack Saunders, Sian Eleri, and Mahalia, alongside support from BBC Radio 1, 2, and 6 Music, Jazz FM, Notion, Rolling Stone, Sunday Times, Clash, Guardian, and The Line of Best Fit. She also made an impressive TV debut on Later with Jools Holland, performing the RotD-featured ‘Only Happen’, which went on to chart on Shazam and UK Airplay. Her July EP 'it’s like I never left' pushed her artistry further, exploring heritage and identity with additional production from SuperJazzClub to Jordan Rakei, and arrived amid a packed festival season, including multiple Glastonbury sets for BBC Introducing, plus standout appearances at The Great Escape, Love Supreme, Jazz Café Festival, and Kendal Calling. With continued support from DSPs, the new single 'Stick Fight', written with Dom Valentino and Jay Flew, continues her upward momentum with its bouncy nature, expressive delivery, and thoughtful lyricism. Following a sold-out Village Underground headline this month, Nectar is now on a 15-date UK/EU tour with Joy Crookes before appearing at the Royal Albert Hall for Streets of London’s Starry Night on 10 December. With previous support slots for Nao, Norah Jones, and Leon Bridges, plus her work platforming female and non-binary talent on Soho Radio’s Women in Jazz, Nectar Woode’s rise feels both natural and unstoppable — and 'Stick Fight' only reinforces why she’s a definitive One to Watch for 2026.  

Contact

Label: Alex Bean, RCA UK
Publishing: Susie Woodbridge, Warner Chappell  
Radio: Phil Youngman & Ellie Best, RCA 
Streaming: Kiera Finn-Oluonye, RCA UK
Online: Natika Edward, RCA UK
Press: Elspeth Merry, Artists Way
TV: Helena McGeough, Electric PR
A&R: Shanice Edwards, Since 93/RCA 
Management: Thomas Haimovici & Charlie Millar, Au Contraire Music
Photo Credit: Charlie Fuego