Born Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo in Islington, North London, Little Simz has always been more than what meets the eye. With early roots in acting and poetry, and raised in the multicultural, vibrant fabric of London, her upbringing gave her fuel: the voices of immigrant parents, street sounds, cameras, shadows, and light. That blend of worlds shaped her artistry from the start that was introspective, sharp, unflinching. She came into the public eye as a teenager, but from that moment she was building.

She first caught widespread critical attention with Grey Area in 2019, where she showed how powerful confessions, social observation, and storytelling could coalesce over crisp production. Then in 2021, she released Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, a deeply emotional and artistically ambitious album that won the Mercury Prize, solidifying her place among UK music’s elite. Following that was No Thank You in December 2022, an album released with little fanfare before its drop, yet rich with commentary on industry, identity, power, gratitude, betrayal, and spiritual questioning. It was another reminder: Little Simz doesn’t follow cycles, she creates her own seasons.

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The Making of Lotus

In early 2025, Simz began teasing her sixth studio album, Lotus, dropping the lead single “Flood” with collaborators Obongjayar and Moonchild Sanelly. The track was produced by Miles Clinton James and its black-and-white video directed by Salomon Lighthelm immediately flagged that Lotus would be lean, strong, and ready to confront themes of growth, rebirth, burnout, joy, and spiritual reckonings.

Originally slated for release on May 9, Lotus was delayed to June 6, 2025, because Simz picked up a film project and wanted to honor both commitments without shortchanging either. The album itself features a circle of collaborators that span genre lines and continents; Obongjayar, Moses Sumney, Sampha, Miraa May, Yukimi Nagano, and more, creating a tapestry of jazz, punk, funk, and hip hop.

Beyond the Mic: Acting & Curating

While most people know Simz for her music, she’s also carved out space in acting and creative direction. You may remember her from Top Boy on Netflix, or smaller roles earlier in her career. She’s always had one foot in performance beyond just rapping.

Early in 2025, Little Simz was made the youngest ever curator of London’s Meltdown Festival, putting together a lineup, workshops, art installations, and performances. That role chips away at the idea of what a musician can be, not just someone who performs, but someone who builds platforms.

Of recent, she announced she was on a film called Steve which explores a teacher with mental health struggles, concurrently helps a troubled student Shy navigate his violent tendencies and fragility, torn between his past and future prospects. The film was written by Max Porter, based on his novella, Shy and directed by Tim Mileants. Starring stars such as Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson, Tracey Ullman, and Jay Lycurgo.

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The Essence of a Star

What makes Little Simz hit different is her refusal to compromise her vision. She blends fierce authenticity with vulnerability. She’s one moment dissecting her own mental load, another moment delivering bars of poetic warmth. Her music isn’t just heard, it’s felt. Her flow, voice, lyrics, visuals, style: all part of one creative mosaic.

In Lotus, she invites listeners into her internal world: grief, healing, joy, identity, clarity. The tight production, layered instrumentation, guest voices are not just features, they’re companions on that journey. And London, her roots, still looms large in the multicultural streets, the language, the lineage. Little Simz has broken boundaries and garnered several awards including Brit Awards, MOBOs, and an Ivor Novello.

Why Little Simz’s Bloom Matters

Little Simz is more than “one of the best.” She is, in many ways, a blueprint for creative power. For Black artists everywhere who hustle without noise, whose stories aren’t always packaged for easy consumption, Little Simz shows you can have artistry and integrity. You can question, you can build, you can heal, you can demand more without apology.

With Lotus, she’s not just growing , she’s flowering. And she’s inviting the world to smell the petals.

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