Jorja Smith is an English R&B singer/songwriter whose soulful, jazz-tinged cadence, heartfelt lyrics, and retro sound have invoked comparisons to the likes of AlunaGeorge, Rihanna, and Amy Winehouse, the latter of whom the Walsall-based artist cites as her biggest influence. Within a three-year span, Smith appeared on the U.K. indie chart with her moody, MOBO-nominated debut single "Blue Lights" (2016), nearly cracked the Top Ten of the U.K. dance chart with "On My Mind" (2017), and after three additional MOBO nominations crossed into the Top 40 with the Stormzy-assisted ballad "Let Me Down" (2018). During this time, Smith also contributed to Drake's More Life playlist and the Kendrick Lamar-guided soundtrack for Black Panther, audience-expanding releases that intensified anticipation for her debut album, Lost & Found (June 2018).nn Raised on reggae, soul, and hip-hop, Jorja Smith was encouraged to pursue music by her musician father. She started performing at the age of eight, shortly thereafter began writing original songs, and later earned a music scholarship. After she completed her studies, while still a teenager, she made her recorded debut in 2016 with "Blue Lights," a hip-hop soul single inspired by racist police motives. The song, issued through her own FAMM label, reached number 22 on the U.K. indie chart and was nominated for a MOBO award in the category of Best Song. By the end of 2016, she also added the Maverick Sabre collaboration "A Prince," the powerful "Where Did I Go?," and the five-track EP Project 11 to her discography.nn Smith's international profile was elevated in 2017 with contributions to Drake's playlist More Life. Both of the songs on which she appeared, "Jorja Interlude" and "Get It Together," charted in multiple territories. A handful of additional solo singles, beginning with "Beautiful Little Fools" and "Teenage Fantasy," and concluding with "On My Mind," arrived throughout 2017. The last of the batch reached number five on the U.K. indie chart and peaked at number 54 on the pop chart. MOBO nominations followed for Best Female, Best Newcomer, and Best R&B/Soul Act. In early 2018, she released the dark and moody "Let Me Down," which featured grime artist Stormzy and eventually peaked at number 34 on the pop chart. Perhaps even more notably, she appeared on the Black Panther soundtrack with "I Am," a collaboration with album orchestrator Kendrick Lamar. Lost & Found, Smith's debut album, followed only a few months later. ~ Andy Kellman & James Christopher Monger