adaOra debuts with cinematic first single ‘ID’

Kent-based Nigerian-British alternative RnB artist adaọra is set to make waves with her debut single, ID, released on 19th September 2025 via youth-led Margate label Tonetic Records. The track gives listeners a first glimpse into her upcoming EP, Bite Marks (out 3rd October), and showcases her signature blend of alternative RnB, synth-pop, and emotionally resonant lyricism.

With a hazy, warm dreamscape instrumental, ID captures the liminal feeling of being physically close to someone who’s already pulling away, while adaọra’s low, intimate croon weaves through layered backing vocals to create a comforting yet bittersweet headspace. Drawing inspiration from Frank Ocean, Lorde, Banks, Sade, Portishead, and Blood Orange, the track balances cinematic storytelling with contemporary alternative sounds, establishing adaọra’s unique voice in the scene.

This release also marks the conclusion of her time on the Tonetic Artist Programme 2025, a six-month development initiative supporting emerging young artists in Kent. With this support, adaọra honed her sound, explored her identity as a disabled and Nigerian-British artist, and prepared for her debut EP. She will make her on-stage debut at Ramsgate Music Hall on 21st September as part of the programme’s End of Year Showcase.

adaọra’s music is confessional, intimate, and explorative — tackling themes of identity, disability, body image, relationships, and society — all while embracing a mercurial approach to genre and melody.

1. “ID” is such a cinematic and emotionally rich debut. What made this the right first chapter to introduce your sound and who you are as an artist?

I wrote ID back in the spring of 2023, and at the time it felt more like an amalgamated reflection on lots of situations rather than a retelling of anything specific. It was one of the first songs where I felt I’d actually told a relatable story. Some of my friends have said it feels quite coming of age and reminds them of when we were at uni together, so I think I accidentally captured that feeling too and it feels like a bit of a time capsule.I honestly wasn’t sure it should be my first single. I've written a lot of songs over the years, and I really had to think about whether to start with something new or choose something older.

I also wasn’t sure because I feel like my sound has evolved since I wrote it. But recording it let me breathe new life into it and take it from just lyrics in my notes app to something that I hope actually carries emotion. I felt like the melody and the feeling still held up, and I wanted to honour that chapter of my life.Sonically, it leans into a lot of the pop and alt r&b references I draw from, and even though my sound will definitely keep evolving, that mix is something I want to keep drawing on so it felt right to release as my first single.

2. You’ve described the song as capturing that “liminal feeling” of being close to someone who’s already pulling away. Can you talk us through the moment or experience that shaped that emotional landscape?

I think I’d describe myself as a late bloomer, and that definitely showed up in a lot of my early relationships and situationships. In my teens and early twenties, I never really knew where I stood with people and I didn’t realise I could just ask. I used to ruminate and overthink every little thing because I didn’t yet understand that in relationships, certainty isn’t something you have to earn or chase. So I kept myself in a bit of a self imposed waiting room, where I was holding on to nostalgia while also trying to accept the reality of every situation, with a splash of delusion in the mix too.

I really wanted the lyrics to capture that emotional tug of war.The bar/pub setting made sense because during uni I was going out a lot and meeting so many new people, and that’s where so many of those 'almost'-connections happened. They might have been superficial in hindsight, but when you’re 20, they are super formative and feel like they mean everything so I hoped that backdrop could be a metaphor for that emotional liminality.

3. This release marks the end of your journey through the Tonetic Artist Programme. How has being part of that community influenced your confidence, your sound, and your creative direction heading into your EP Bite Marks?

In terms of confidence, I definitely feel more comfortable saying “I make music” now. The programme kind of forced me to be uncomfortable at first, which ended up being the best thing for me. I realised that the things I’d built up in my head were a lot less scary in real life. Because songwriting is something I did alone in my room for years, I used to feel uneasy about people knowing I wrote songs or hearing them because songs are so personal and sharing feels so vulnerable. I also didn’t really edit or evolve anything because I didn’t have a reason to. I think the programme made me loosen up a bit, stop taking myself so seriously, and actually open up to feedback and growth.My sound has definitely been shaped through the programme.

. Two songs on the EP are new, and I got to develop them from scratch and even learned how to produce one of them. I didn’t think I could do that before, but now I find it freeing and it’s something I want to improve at and learn more about from other people. The programme also helped me define my influences more, which has been really useful!And because all of this happened in six months, it made me realise how necessary artist development programmes like this are. Even though my own confidence was a barrier, access to equipment, resources, and a creative environment was another hurdle for me and I got to experience that. In terms of creative direction, I’m still figuring it out. I have a Pinterest board though!

4. You’ve spoken powerfully about wanting to prove your younger self wrong — especially around fears about disability and belonging in the music world. How has stepping into your artistry helped rewrite that narrative for you?

It’s definitely helped me realise how much support and visibility there actually is for disabled artists, and how much incredible work is being made. I have ADHD and nerve damage in my shoulder from a birth injury. Even though it doesn’t stop me from making music, it always made me feel a bit less “legitimate” because I couldn’t play instruments as easily as other people without pain or adapting things and I got really in my head about that for years. But actually looking at what other disabled artists are doing has shown me that it’s not that deep and it’s not a hindrance at all. There are so many ways to adapt, and so many different entry points into music, and honestly it can make your story more interesting because your lived experience is enmeshed with accepting that you are different and realising that it's not a limitation. I'm trying to see it more like that even if I’m not 100% there yet.I feel like there are parts of the music world that overlap with desirability and perfection, and disability representation still isn’t where it should be yet. But it’s getting easier and I wish I could tell my younger self that it gets so much easier.

5. Your influences range from Frank Ocean and Banks to Sade, Portishead, and Blood Orange. How do those inspirations show up in “ID,” and what can listeners expect from the sonic world of your upcoming EP Bite Marks?

I’m still experimenting and figuring out my sound and I think the EP and my inspirations reflect that as they’re all quite different artists, but there are things I love from each of them that have inspired my music both sonically and lyrically. With Frank Ocean and Banks, I’ve always loved the way they use melody to tell intimate stories and that definitely inspired ID.I think Bite Marks pulls little pieces from all of those influences without sounding like any of them directly. I’ve been really into downtempo and trip-hop recently, artists like Esthero and Portishead, and that mood shows up a lot. But there are also elements of alt r&b, pop, and some subtle Sade inspo in one of the tracks. I feel like as I produce more, or work with more producers, my goal is definitely to be better at incorporating all the sounds I’m inspired by and make something new out of them.