Jorja Smith is an English R&B singer/songwriter whose soulful, jazz-tinged cadence, heartfelt lyrics, and retro sound invoke names like Alunageorge, Nao, Lulu James, and Amy Winehouse, the latter of whom the Walsall-based artist cites as her biggest influence. Smith issued her debut single, “Blue Lights,” in 2015, but it was 2016’s powerful “Where Did I Go?” that began turning heads. That track, and the follow-up single “Beautiful Little Fools,” eventually culminated in the late-2016 release of Smith’s debut EP, Project 11. The following year saw her international profile elevated via her multiple appearances on Drake’s surprise playlist/LP More Life, which saw her holding court among a bevy of high-profile guests like Kanye West, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, and Travis Scott. That same year, Smith released a pair of her own singles, “Beautiful Little Fools” and “Teenage Fantasy,” as well as the collaborative single “On My Mind,” with Preditah. In January 2018, she released the dark and moody “Let Me Down,” which featured U.K. grime artist Stormzy. ~ James Christopher Monger

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