Little Simz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Little Simz
Little Simz in 2016
Little Simz in 2016
Background information
Birth nameSimbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo
Also known asSimbi
Born (1994-02-23) 23 February 1994 (age 27)
Islington, London, England
GenresBritish hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • actress
Years active2010–present
Labels

Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo[1] (born 23 February 1994), better known by her stage name Little Simz, is a British-Nigerian rapper, singer and actress of Yoruba heritage. Following the release of four mixtapes and five EPs, she released her debut album A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons on 18 September 2015 through her independent label, AGE: 101 Music. The album entered the UK R&B Albums Chart at number 20[2] and the UK Independent Albums Chart at number 43.[3] She released her second studio album Stillness in Wonderland in 2016. Her third studio album Grey Area (2019) won Best Album at both the Ivor Novello Awards and the NME Awards as well as being nominated for the Mercury Prize.[4] Her fourth album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021) received critical acclaim.[5]

Early life[edit]

Ajikawo was born in Islington, London to Nigerian parents. She was raised with two older sisters.[6][7] She is ethnically Yoruba.[8] She studied at Highbury Fields School in London. She went on to attend St Mary's Youth Club in Upper Street, Islington, which pop stars Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke also attended.[9] Ajikawo later studied at Westminster Kingsway College and pursued her music career from there.[10]

Career[edit]

Acting[edit]

Simz appeared as Vicky in the BBC children's series Spirit Warriors, originally broadcast in 2010,[11] and as Meleka in the E4 television series, Youngers.[12]

Little Simz at Primavera Sound 2019

Simz was also the narrator for the television series, Afrofuturism.[13]

She appeared in Netflix's revival and third series of Top Boy which premiered in Autumn 2019.[14]

She also appeared in the Sony/Marvel movie "Venom - Let There Be Carnage", singing her song "Venom" in a nightclub.

Music[edit]

She describes her music as rap and experimental.[15]

Simz has performed alongside Estelle, Tinie Tempah, Ms. Dynamite and Kano.[9][16]

Simz has performed at Rising Tide, iluvlive, Industry Takeover (Urban Development) Hackney Empire,[17] Somerset House and the House of Lords.[18] She also performed at the BBC 1Xtra Prom 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside a full orchestra led by Jules Buckley.[19]

Simz can be heard on the Leave to Remain film soundtrack, performing the song "Leave It As That".[12] In early 2013, she appeared on BBC Radio 1 Xtra to discuss her performance at the Hackney Weekend.[20]

Simz then went on to do a Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens, and has since gone on to receive critical acclaim from the likes of Zane Lowe, Dizzee Rascal and Revolt TV.[citation needed] She also has received praise from Kendrick Lamar.[21]

On 16 December 2016 she released her second studio album Stillness in Wonderland.[22] It was inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and supported by a comic book, art exhibition and festival.[23]

In 2017, she performed as the opening act for Gorillaz during their Humanz Tour, and was the vocalist for the song "Garage Palace", featured on the Super Deluxe edition of their album Humanz.

On 6 September 2018, Simz and her label AGE 101 signed a worldwide deal with AWAL Recordings,[24] after AWAL had distributed her debut album "A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons" in 2015. This deal was renewed on 18 June 2020.[25]

On 1 March 2019 she released her third studio album Grey Area to widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for the Mercury Prize[4] and IMPALA's European Independent Album of the Year Award (2019).[26]

Personal life[edit]

Ajikawo lives in London.[27] She is a childhood friend of actor Fady Elsayed.

In 2018 her friend, model Harry Uzoka, was murdered, inspiring her to write her song "Wounds".[28]

Ajikawo is a supporter of Arsenal F.C.[29]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[30] 		UK
R&B
[31] 		UK
Ind.
[32] 		AUS
[33] 		SCO
[34] 		US
Sales
[35] 		US
Indie
[36]
A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons — — — — — — —
Stillness in Wonderland
  • Released: 16 December 2016
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 — — — — — — —
Grey Area
  • Released: 1 March 2019
  • Label: Age 101 Music, AWAL
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 87 1 11 — 82 — —
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
  • Released: 3 September 2021
  • Label: Age 101 Music, AWAL
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 4 1 1 40 3 33 45

Mixtapes[edit]

List of mixtapes with selected details
Title Details
Stratosphere
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats:
Stratosphere 2
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats:
XY.Zed
  • Released: 23 February 2013
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Blank Canvas
  • Released: 26 December 2013
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download

Extended plays[edit]

List of extended plays with selected details
Title Details
E.D.G.E.
  • Released: 18 June 2014
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Age 101: Drop 1
  • Released: 5 August 2014
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Age 101: Drop 2
  • Released: 25 September 2014
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Age 101: Drop 3|000
  • Released: 18 December 2014
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
The Theory Of... (with Space Age)
  • Released: 27 January 2015
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Age 101: Drop 4
  • Released: 28 May 2015
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Age 101: Drop X
  • Released: 22 December 2015
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Project Unfollow
  • Released: 2018
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Vinyl
Drop 6
  • Released: 6 May 2020
  • Label: Age 101 Music
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download, streaming

Singles[edit]

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
BEL
(FL)
Tip
[37]
"Backseat" 2017 — Stillness in Wonderland (Deluxe Edition)
"Offence"[38] 2018 — Grey Area
"Boss"[39] —
"101 FM"[40] —
"Selfish"[41]
(featuring Cleo Sol) 		2019 —
"Introvert" 2021 11 Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
"Woman"
(featuring Cleo Sol) 		—
"Rollin Stone" —
"I Love You, I Hate You" —
"Point and Kill"
(featuring Obongjayar) 		—

As featured artist[edit]

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Dance
[42]
"Cuckoo"[43]
(Raleigh Ritchie featuring Little Simz) 		2014 — Non-album single
"Bad Dreams"[44]
(Joywave featuring Little Simz) 		2015 — How Do You Feel Now?
"The Nest"[45]
(Faze Miyake featuring Little Simz) 		— Faze Miyake
"So Human"[46]
(Rosie Lowe featuring Little Simz) 		2016 — Control
"Back to My Love"[47]
(Becky Hill featuring Little Simz) 		— Eko EP
"Far Cry"[48]
(Jack Garratt featuring Little Simz) 		— Phase
"The Book"[49]
(OTG featuring Little Simz) 		2017 — Garden of Osiris – EP
"Garage Palace"[50]
(Gorillaz featuring Little Simz) 		37 Humanz
"Proud of Me"[51]
(Mahalia featuring Little Simz) 		2018 — Non-album single
"Favourites"[52]
(The S.L.P. featuring Little Simz) 		2019 — The S.L.P.

Guest appearances[edit]

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Get This in Check"[53] 2013 None Youngers, Part 1
"The Drop"[54] 2014 Nick Brewer Four Miles Further – EP
"Table"[55] 2016 Kehlani Non-album single
"Location"[56] (London Remix) 2017 Khalid Non-album remix
"Indie Girls"[57] Jesse Boykins III, Kilo Kish Bartholomew
"DBT Remix"[58] 2018 Lioness, Lady Leshurr, Queenie, Shystie & Stush Non-album remix
"Rewind Time"[59] VanJess Silk Canvas
"King"[60] Ghetts Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament
"3WW"[61] (OTG Version) alt-J Reduxer
"Pink Youth"[62] 2019 Yuna Rouge
"Venom"[63] None Top Boy – A Selection of Music Inspired by the Series

Tours[edit]

  • AGE101 DROP THE WORLD (2015)
  • Welcome To Wonderland (2017–2018)
  • Grey Area Tour (2019)

Filmography[edit]

Film & Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Spirit Warriors Vicky TV series
2012 Ill Manors Youth Suspect at the Railway Station (Lil Simz)
2013 Youngers Meleka E4 series
2019 Top Boy Shelley Netflix series
2021 Venom: Let There Be Carnage Herself[64]
TBA The Power Adunola Recurring role, upcoming series

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2016 AIM Awards Independent Album of the Year A Curious Tale Of Trials + Persons Won [65]
2017 Best Second Album Stillness in Wonderland Nominated [66]
MOBO Awards Best Female Act Herself Nominated [67]
Best Hip Hop Act Nominated
2018 UK Music Video Awards Best Dance Video - UK "Garage Palace" (with Gorillaz) Nominated [68]
2019 IMPALA Awards Album of the Year Grey Area Nominated [26]
Mercury Prize Album of the Year Nominated [69]
AIM Awards Best Independent Track "Selfish" Nominated [70]
2020 Ivor Novello Awards Best Album Grey Area Won [71]
NME Awards Best British Album Won [72]
Best Album in the World Nominated
MOBO Awards Best Album (2017-2019) Nominated [73]
2021 BET Hip Hop Awards Best International Flow Herself Won [74]
UK Music Video Awards Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video - UK "Introvert" Pending [75]
Best Editing in a Video Pending
Best Choreography in a Video Pending
Best Wardrobe Styling in a Video "Woman" Pending
Best Hair & Make-up in a Video Pending
Libera Award Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record Drop 6 Nominated [76]
2021 South African Hip Hop Awards Best International Act Herself Pending [77]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "BMI – Repertoire Search". repertoire.bmi.com.
  2. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40 – Official Charts Company".
  3. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 – Official Charts Company".
  4. ^ a b Blais-Billie, Braudie (16 January 2019). "Little Simz Announces New Album GREY Area, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Little Simz – 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert' review: stunning introspection from a true great". Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Little Simz". Notion. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. ^ Ekanayake, Manu. "Who is… Little Simz?". Red Bull. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  8. ^ Little Simz (12 June 2019). "Little Simz – 101 FM (Official Video)" – via YouTube.
  9. ^ a b "Islington rapper Lil Simz destined for big things – Music". Islington Gazette. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Double MOBO nominations – Westminster Kingsway College". Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Bo and the Spirit World casting news". ScreenTerrier. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Production Blog 2: Lil Simz". Leave2remain.org. 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  13. ^ Afrofuturism, retrieved 6 May 2019
  14. ^ "Top Boy series three trailer: Dave and Little Simz join cast". BBC News. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  15. ^ "BBC Introducing and AIF presents...Lil Simz". WikiFestivals. n.d. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Kano on Twitter".[non-primary source needed]
  17. ^ "Radio 1's Hackney Weekend 2012 – Acts – Lil Simz". BBC. n.d. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Single of The Week: Lil Simz – Eastern Jam (Freestyle) | MOBO Awards". Mobo.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  19. ^ "BBC Radio 3 – BBC Proms, 2015 Season, 1Xtra Prom – Credits". BBC.
  20. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra – Adele Roberts, Little Simz comes by for a Brew 4 Two". BBC.
  21. ^ BBC Radio 1Xtra (9 June 2015). "MistaJam Speaks To Kendrick Lamar" – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Little Simz Is Releasing New Album Stillness in Wonderland On Friday".
  23. ^ "Through The Rabbit Hole: Clash Meets Little Simz". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  24. ^ "AWAL Announces Worldwide Partnership Deal With Little Simz". AWAL. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  25. ^ "AWAL renews worldwide partnership with British rapper Little Simz". Music Business Worldwide. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  26. ^ a b "22 NOMINEES SHORTLISTED FOR IMPALA'S EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD". www.impalamusic.org. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Sunday with Little Simz: 'I want to be inside and cosy'". the Guardian. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  28. ^ "Model jailed for murdering fashion rival in row over girlfriend". the Guardian. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  29. ^ @LittleSimz (14 May 2019). "ARSENAL @Arsenal" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 February 2021 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "Little Simz | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 8 March 2019 – 14 March 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  32. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50: 8 March 2019 – 14 March 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  33. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 8 March 2019 – 14 March 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Little Simz Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  36. ^ "Little Simz Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  37. ^ "Discografie Little Simz" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  38. ^ "Offence – Single by Little Simz". Apple Music. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  39. ^ "Boss – Single by Little Simz". Apple Music. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  40. ^ "101 FM – Single by Little Simz". Apple Music. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  41. ^ "Little Simz announces GREY Area album, shares "Selfish"". The Fader. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  42. ^ "Little Simz Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  43. ^ "Cuckoo – Single by Raleigh Ritchie". Apple Music. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  44. ^ "Bad Dreams (feat. Mick Jenkins & Little Simz) – Single by Joywave". Apple Music. 1 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  45. ^ "The Nest (feat. Little Simz) – Single by Faze Miyake". Apple Music. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  46. ^ "So Human (feat. Little Simz) – Single by Rosie Lowe". Apple Music. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  47. ^ "Back to My Love (feat. Little Simz) – Single by Becky Hill". Apple Music. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  48. ^ "Far Cry (feat. Little Simz) – Single by Jack Garratt". Apple Music. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  49. ^ "The Book (feat. Little Simz) – Single by OTG". Apple Music. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  50. ^ "Garage Palace (feat. Little Simz) – Single by Gorillaz". Apple Music. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  51. ^ "Proud of Me (feat. Little Simz) – Single by Mahalia". Apple Music. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  52. ^ "Favourites (feat. Little Simz) – Single by THE S.L.P." iTunes Store. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  53. ^ "Youngers, Part 1 – EP by Various Artists". Apple Music. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  54. ^ "Four Miles Further – EP by Nick Brewer". Apple Music. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  55. ^ "Kehlani- Table ft. Little Simz (Official Video)". 14 December 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2019 – via YouTube.
  56. ^ "Location (London Remix) – Single by Khalid". Apple Music. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  57. ^ "Bartholomew by Jesse Boykins III". Apple Music. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  58. ^ "DBT Remix (feat. Lady Leshurr, Queenie, Shystie, Stush & Little Simz) – Single by Lioness". Apple Music. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  59. ^ "Silk Canvas by VanJess". Apple Music. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  60. ^ "Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament". Apple Music. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  61. ^ "Reduxer by alt-j". Apple Music. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  62. ^ Milica P. (30 June 2019). "Little Simz Joins Yuna On 'Pink Youth'". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  63. ^ Jones, Damian (11 September 2019). "The tracklisting for Drake's 'Top Boy' soundtrack has been revealed". NME. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  64. ^ Newstead, Al (1 October 2021). "So... Little Simz features in the new Venom movie at a "coming out" rave". triple j. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  65. ^ Gumble, Daniel (2 August 2016). "AIM Awards 2016 shortlist revealed". Music Week. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  66. ^ Paine, Andre (8 August 2017). "2017 AIM Awards nominations revealed". Music Week. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  67. ^ "2017 MOBO AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED!". MOBO. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  68. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2018: all the nominations!". Promonews.tv. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  69. ^ Edelstone, Steven; Manno, Lizzie (25 July 2019). "2019 Mercury Prize Nominations Announced: Predictions, Snubs and More". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  70. ^ "AIM Independent Music Awards 2019 – The Nominees". Proper Music Group. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  71. ^ Skinner, Tom (2 September 2020). "Little Simz and Dave among winners at Ivor Novello Awards 2020". NME. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  72. ^ "NME Awards 2020 Winners". NME. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  73. ^ "MOBO AWARDS 2020: SEE THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES!". MOBO. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  74. ^ "2021 BET Hip Hop Awards: The Full Winners List [Live Updating]". BET.com. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  75. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2021: all the nominations for this year's UKMVAs | News | Promonews". Promonewstv. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  76. ^ Grein, Paul (22 March 2021). "Phoebe Bridgers, Run the Jewels & Perfume Genius Among Top Nominees For 2021 Libera Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  77. ^ Shumba, Ano. "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 3 November 2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Little_Simz&oldid=1054046464"