Little Simz

Biography

Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, known professionally as Little Simz, was born on February 23, 1994, in Islington, London. Raised in a Nigerian family, she developed an early passion for music and performance, attending Highbury Fields School and participating in St Mary's Youth Club, a nurturing ground for several British pop talents. Simz began recording music as a teenager, producing her first mixtape, 'Stratosphere,' at age 16, and quickly gained attention for her lyrical prowess and self-produced tracks.

Her career accelerated with the independent release of her first three albums: 'A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons' (2015), 'Stillness in Wonderland' (2016), and 'Grey Area' (2019), the latter earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including the Ivor Novello and NME Awards for Best Album. Simz's fourth album, 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert' (2021), was widely hailed as one of the year's best, winning the 2022 Mercury Prize and Brit Award for Best New Artist. Throughout her journey, she has remained fiercely independent, releasing music through her own label, Age 101, and blending rap with influences from grime, reggae, blues, synth-rock, and jazzy R&B.

Beyond music, Little Simz is also an accomplished actress, with roles in television series such as 'Top Boy.' Her artistry is marked by introspective storytelling, innovative production, and a commitment to authenticity, making her a leading figure in contemporary British hip-hop and a source of inspiration for a new generation of artists.

Fun Facts

• Little Simz taught herself to play guitar by watching YouTube videos and bought her first microphone with money from a Saturday job in an art gallery.
• She resisted signing to a major label, instead releasing her music independently through her own imprint, Age 101.
• Simz created a comic book and art exhibition to accompany her album 'Stillness in Wonderland,' inspired by 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.'
• She is also a successful actress, notably playing Shelley in the Netflix series 'Top Boy.'

Associated Acts

• SPACE AGE

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Kendrick Lamar - Praised Little Simz publicly as one of the UK's most promising rappers, providing validation and inspiration. (General career encouragement; no direct collaborations.) [2015–present]
• Dizzee Rascal - Offered early critical acclaim and support for Simz's music. (General career encouragement; no direct collaborations.) [2013–present]

Key Collaborators

• Cleo Sol - Frequent vocal collaborator, especially on Simz's later albums. ('Grey Area', 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert', 'No Thank You') [2019–2022]
• Inflo - Producer and creative partner, shaping the sound of Simz's critically acclaimed albums. ('Grey Area', 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert', 'No Thank You') [2019–2022]
• Gorillaz - Featured vocalist and tour collaborator. (Song 'Garage Palace' (Super Deluxe edition of 'Humanz'), opened for Gorillaz on their Humanz Tour.) [2017]

Artists Influenced

• ENNY - Cited Little Simz as a major inspiration for pursuing a career in UK rap and for her independent approach. (Debut EP 'Under Twenty Five') [2021]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. WE PRAY - Single Version
2. WE PRAY (Moon Music)
3. WE PRAY (Moon Music (Full Moon Edition))
4. WE PRAY - (TINI Version)
5. WE PRAY - Jasleen Royal Version
6. Flood
7. Gorilla (NO THANK YOU)
8. WE PRAY - (Elyanna Version)
9. Young
10. Woman (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #hip-hop, #pop-rap, #rapper