Jorja Smith
Biography
Jorja Alice Smith is an English singer and songwriter born on June 11, 1997, in Walsall, West Midlands. Her father is of Jamaican heritage and a former musician, while her mother is an English jewellery designer. Smith's musical education began at the age of 8 with piano lessons, encouraged by her father. She later earned a music scholarship to Aldridge School, where she studied classical singing and the oboe. By the age of 11, she was already writing her own songs. At 15, she was discovered by a manager after posting videos of her singing covers on YouTube. After graduating, she moved to London at 18 to pursue her music career, working as a barista to support herself.
Career Beginnings
In 2016, Smith released her debut single, "Blue Lights," on SoundCloud, which quickly gained traction, amassing 400,000 plays within a month. This initial success and a co-sign from Maverick Sabre led to her signing a publishing deal with Sony/ATV. Later that year, she released the four-track EP, "Project 11." Her profile grew significantly after she was featured on two tracks on Drake's 2017 playlist "More Life".
Debut Album and Critical Acclaim
Smith's debut studio album, "Lost & Found," was released in 2018 to critical acclaim. It peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and earned her a nomination for the Mercury Prize. The same year, she won the Brit Critics' Choice Award. In 2019, she was named Best British Female Artist at the Brit Awards and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Musical Style and Collaborations
Jorja Smith's music is primarily categorized as R&B, with strong influences from soul, hip-hop, and reggae. She has cited artists like Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Sade as major inspirations. Her songwriting often touches on social issues. Smith has collaborated with a diverse range of prominent artists, including Kendrick Lamar on the "Black Panther" soundtrack, Stormzy on the single "Let Me Down," and Burna Boy on the hit track "Be Honest". She has also worked with artists such as Drake, Kali Uchis, Popcaan, and FKA twigs.
Recent Work
In May 2021, Smith released an eight-track EP titled "Be Right Back," which was met with positive reviews. Her second studio album, "Falling or Flying," was released in September 2023. For this album, she moved back to her hometown of Walsall, a change she said helped her feel more like herself. The album reflects her personal growth and experiences.