Little Simz
British rapper (born 1994)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo ⓘ[1][2] (born 23 February 1994),[2] better known by her stage name Little Simz, is a British rapper and actress.[3] She rose to prominence 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 last of which was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and won the awards for Best Album at both the Ivor Novello Awards and the NME Awards.
23 February 1994
- Rapper
- songwriter
- actress
Little Simz | |
|---|---|
Simz at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Simbi, Simz |
| Born | Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo 23 February 1994 Islington, London, England |
| Genres | British hip-hop |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | littlesimz |
| Signature | |
 | |
Her fourth album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021),[4] received widespread critical acclaim, with several publications deeming it the best album of 2021.[5] It won the 2022 Mercury Prize,[6] and earned her the 2022 Brit Award for Best New Artist and the Libera Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record.[7] Her fifth album, No Thank You (2022), was released to critical acclaim. In 2024, she was featured on the single "We Pray" by Coldplay, alongside Burna Boy, Elyanna, and Tini. Her sixth studio album, Lotus, was released on 6 June 2025.
Outside of music, Ajikawo has starred in the Netflix revival drama series Top Boy. She also appeared as herself in the film Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021).
Early life
Ajikawo was born in Islington, London, to Nigerian parents.[3] She was raised on a council estate with two older sisters.[8][9][10] Her mother was also a foster carer during her childhood.[8] She is ethnically Yoruba.[11]
She studied at Highbury Fields School in London and also attended St Mary's Youth Club in Upper Street, Islington, with pop stars Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke.[12] Ajikawo has credited Mary's Youth Club for its influence on her career, describing it as "the place where it all began for me … a second home".[8]
Ajikawo later studied at Westminster Kingsway College and The University of West London[13] where she pursued her music career.[14]
Artistry
She describes her music as rap and experimental.[15] Whilst she is closely affiliated with the grime genre, she has also pulled inspiration from other genres including reggae, blues, synth-rock and jazzy R&B.[16]
Ajikawo grew up listening to rap artists Busta Rhymes, Nas and Biggie Smalls, which influenced her to pursue a rap career.[17] Lauryn Hill has often been cited as one of her biggest influences.[18][19] Ajikawo stated "I think The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was really my education. Lauryn Hill was one of the first artists that really made me feel the power of music."[20] She also drew inspiration from jazz musicians Nina Simone, John Coltrane and Billie Holiday for her album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Other inspirations include her idol Kendrick Lamar, who called her "the illest doing it right now" in 2015.[21]
Ajikawo met producer Inflo of the R&B band Sault at a youth center, and he would produce three of her albums including Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.[22] A financial conflict with Inflo caused Ajikawo to part ways with him and have Miles Clinton James (known for producing Kokoroko) produce her sixth album Lotus instead.[23]
Career
Music
2015–2017: Career beginnings and A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons and Stillness in Wonderland
Ajikawo has performed at Rising Tide, iluvlive, Industry Takeover (Urban Development) Hackney Empire,[24] Somerset House and the House of Lords.[25] She also performed at the BBC 1Xtra Prom 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside a full orchestra led by Jules Buckley.[26] Ajikawo can be heard on the Leave to Remain film soundtrack, performing the song "Leave It As That".[27] In early 2013, she appeared on BBC Radio 1Xtra to discuss her performance at the Hackney Weekend.[28] Ajikawo went on to do a Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens. She released her debut studio album, A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons, on 18 September 2015.
She was given the opportunity to tour with Nas, Lauryn Hill, and Kehlani in 2016.[29] On 12 December 2016 Little Simz released the lead single to her upcoming album, "Poison Ivy".[30] Just two days later, Simz released the album's second single, "Picture Perfect".[31] On 16 December 2016 Simz released her sophomore full-length studio album, Stillness in Wonderland, alongside its comic-book companion, Welcome to Wonderland.[32][33]
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 11 May 2017, Simz released "Backseat".[34] On 11 October 2017 she released "Good For What",[35] before releasing the deluxe edition to her aforementioned album on 3 November 2017.[36]
2018–2021: Grey Area, Drop 6 and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Ajikawo releases her music on her own Age 101 Music record label with an exclusive distribution licensing arrangement with AWAL Recordings.[8] On 6 September 2018, Ajikawo and her label AGE 101 signed a worldwide deal with AWAL Recordings,[37] after AWAL had distributed her debut album "A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons" in 2015. This deal was renewed on 18 June 2020.[38]
On 17 September 2018 Simz released "Offence" as the lead single to her upcoming studio album, Grey Area.[39] The album's second single, "Boss" was released on 23 September 2018.[40] The album's third single, "101 FM" was released on 4 December 2018. The album's final single, assisted by Cleo Sol, was released on 16 January 2019, alongside the album's announcement.[41] Grey Area was released to critical success and was nominated for the Mercury Prize,[42] and IMPALA's European Independent Album of the Year Award (2019).[43] On 6 May 2020, while in quarantine, Simz released her tenth extended play, Drop 6.[44][45]
Simz announced the title, cover, release date, and pre-order for her fourth full-length studio album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert on 21 April 2021.[46] The album's lead single, "Introvert" was released alongside the announcement.[46] The album's second single, "Woman", assisted by Cleo Sol, was released on 6 May 2021.[47][48] The album's third single, "Rollin Stone" was released on 14 June 2021.[49] The album's fourth single, "I Love You, I Hate You" was released on 8 July 2021.[50][51] The album's fifth and final single, "Point and Kill" was released on 1 September 2021, just two days prior to the release of the album.[52] On 3 September 2021, she released her fourth studio album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert debuting at number 4 on the UK album charts and winning BBC 6's Album of the Year.[53][54] The album would also give Simz her first Mercury Prize win in October 2022.[55]
2022–present: No Thank You, Drop 7 and Lotus
On 6 December 2022 Ajikawo announced her fifth studio album, No Thank You.[56] Once again produced by Inflo, the album found her speaking out about the rap industry on songs such as "X" while exploring themes of mental health in Black communities on songs such as "Broken".[57] The album was released on 12 December 2022 and was well received.[58][59]
Ajikawo performed her song "Heart On Fire" with Joan Armatrading during the 76th British Academy Film Awards ceremony, held on 19 February 2023.[60]
In February 2024, Ajikawo announced Drop 7, her 11th extended play.[61] The project saw a shift to an electronic dance sound and was released on 9 February 2024.[62]
At 2024's Glastonbury, on the night of Saturday 29 June 2024, she performed the penultimate act on the Pyramid Stage.[63] Her performance received rave reviews.[63][64][65] On the same day, she was invited by British rock band Coldplay to perform the song "We Pray". The single was released on 12 August 2024, featuring Burna Boy, Elyanna and Tini, and is part of Coldplay's studio album Moon Music.
On 26 February 2025 Ajikawo announced her sixth studio album, Lotus, which was slated for release on 9 May 2025.[66] She delayed the album to 6 June 2025 due to scheduling conflicts with a film.[67]
Personal life
Ajikawo lives in London.[68] She is a childhood friend of actor Fady Elsayed and actress Letitia Wright.[8] Ajikawo and Wright have remained good friends and Ajikawo photographed Wright for the artwork for her single "Selfish" in 2019.[8][69] Whilst Ajikawo believes in God, she does not currently follow any religion.[70]
Ajikawo is a fan of Arsenal F.C.[71]
In 2018 her friend, model Harry Uzoka, was murdered, inspiring her to write her song "Wounds".[72]
Acting
Ajikawo's acting career began with the role of Vicky in the BBC children's series Spirit Warriors, originally broadcast in 2010,[73] and as Meleka in the E4 television series Youngers.[27] She was narrator for the television series Afrofuturism,[74] and played Shelley in Netflix's revival of Top Boy, which premiered in autumn 2019.[75] She appeared as herself in the Sony's Spider-Man Universe film Venom: Let There Be Carnage, singing her song "Venom" in a nightclub rave, which Venom goes to after his split from Eddie Brock.[76]
Discography
Studio albums
- A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (2015)
- Stillness in Wonderland (2016)
- Grey Area (2019)
- Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021)
- No Thank You (2022)
- Lotus (2025)
Tours
- Age101 Drop the World (2015)
- Welcome to Wonderland (2017–2018)
- Grey Area Tour (2019)
- Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021)
- No Thank You (2023)
- Lotus (2025)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Spirit Warriors | Vicky | BBC series |
| 2012 | Ill Manors | Youth Suspect at the Railway Station (Lil Simz) | |
| 2013 | Youngers | Meleka | E4 series |
| 2019–2023 | Top Boy | Shelley | Netflix series |
| 2021 | Venom: Let There Be Carnage | Herself[77] | Cameo |
| 2023 | The Power | Adunola | Recurring role |
| 2024 | RM: Right People, Wrong Place | Herself [78] | Documentary film |
| 2025 | Steve | Shola |
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIM Independent Music Awards | 2016 | Independent Album of the Year | A Curious Tale Of Trials + Persons | Won | [79] |
| 2017 | Best Second Album | Stillness in Wonderland | Nominated | [80] | |
| Hardest Working Band or Artist | Herself | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | Best Independent Track | "Selfish" | Nominated | [81] | |
| Best Independent Album | Grey Area | Nominated | |||
| Pioneer Award | Herself | Won | |||
| 2023 | Best Independent Album | No Thank You | Nominated | [82] | |
| BBC Radio 1 | 2021 | Hottest Record of the Year | "Introvert" | Nominated | [83] |
| Berlin Music Video Awards | 2022 | Best Art Director | "Woman" | Nominated | |
| BET Awards | 2022 | Best International Act | Herself | Nominated | [84] |
| BET Hip Hop Awards | 2021 | Best International Flow | Herself | Won | [85] |
| Brit Awards | 2022 | British Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated | [86] |
| Best New Act | Won | ||||
| Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act | Nominated | ||||
| British Album of the Year | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | No Thank You | Nominated | [87] | ||
| British Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated | |||
| Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act | Nominated | ||||
| Hollywood Independent Music Awards | 2024 | Adult Contemporary Hip Hop | "Gorilla" | Nominated | [88] |
| IMPALA Awards | 2019 | Album of the Year | Grey Area | Nominated | [43] |
| Ivor Novello Awards | 2020 | Best Album | Grey Area | Won | [89] |
| 2022 | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | Nominated | [90][91] | ||
| Best Contemporary Song | "I Love You, I Hate You" | Won | |||
| 2023 | Best Album | No Thank You | Nominated | [92] | |
| Libera Awards | 2021 | Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record | Drop 6 | Nominated | [93] |
| 2022 | Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | Won | [94] | |
| Mercury Prize | 2019 | Album of the Year | Grey Area | Nominated | [95] |
| 2022 | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | Won | [96] | ||
| MOBO Awards | 2017 | Best Female Act | Herself | Nominated | [97] |
| Best Hip Hop Act | Nominated | ||||
| 2020 | Best Album (2017–2019) | Grey Area | Nominated | [98] | |
| 2021 | Best Female Act | Herself | Won | [99][100] | |
| Best Hip Hop Act | Nominated | ||||
| Video of the Year | "Woman" | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Album of the Year | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | Won | [101] [102] | |
| Best Female Act | Herself | Nominated | |||
| Best Hip-Hop Act | Nominated | ||||
| Video of the Year | "Point and Kill" (featuring Obongjayar) | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Album of the Year | No Thank You | Nominated | [103] | |
| Best Female Act | Herself | Nominated | |||
| Best Hip Hop Act | Won | ||||
| Video of the Year | "Gorilla" | Nominated | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | 2023 | Best Video | "Gorilla" | Nominated | [104] |
| NME Awards | 2020 | Best British Album | Grey Area | Won | [105] |
| Best Album in the World | Nominated | ||||
| 2022 | Best Album in the World | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | Nominated | [106] | |
| Best Album by a UK Artist | Nominated | ||||
| Best Solo Act in the World | Herself | Nominated | |||
| Best Solo Act from the UK | Won | ||||
| Best Live Act | Nominated | ||||
| South African Hip Hop Awards | 2021 | Best International Act | Herself | Nominated | [107] |
| UK Music Video Awards | 2018 | Best Dance Video - UK | "Garage Palace" (with Gorillaz) | Nominated | [108] |
| 2021 | Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video - UK | "Introvert" | Nominated | [109] | |
| Best Editing in a Video | Won | ||||
| Best Choreography in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Wardrobe Styling in a Video | "Woman" | Nominated | |||
| Best Hair & Make-up in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| 2022 | Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video - UK | "Point and Kill" (featuring Obongjayar) | Won | [110] | |
| Best Wardrobe Styling in a Video | Won | ||||
| Best Hair & Make-up in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Cinematography in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Color Grading in a Video | Won | ||||
| Best Special Video Project | "I Love You, I Hate You" | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video - UK | "Gorilla" | Nominated | [111] | |
| Best Performance in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Production Design in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Cinematography in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Special Video Project | No Thank You | Nominated | |||
| 2025 | Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – UK | "Young" | Nominated | [112] | |
| "Flood" (featuring Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly) | Nominated | ||||
| Best Performance in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Cinematography in a Video | Nominated | ||||
| Best Choreography in a Video | Nominated | ||||
