Little Simz

Little Simz
Little Simz in 2016
Background information
Birth name Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo
Born (1994-02-23) 23 February 1994
Islington, London, England
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
Years active 2010–present
Labels AGE: 101 Music
Associated acts

Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo[1] (born 23 February 1994), better known by her stage name Little Simz, is an English rapper, singer and actor. 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]

Early life

Ajikawo was born in Islington, London to parents from Nigeria. [4] She studied at Highbury Fields School in London. She went on to attend St Mary’s Youth Club in Upper Street, Islington, where pop stars Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke also attended.[5] Ajikawo later studied at Westminster Kingsway College and pursued her music career from there.[6]

Career

Acting

After several months of auditioning by the BBC for the show Spirit Warriors, it was announced in June 2009 that Simz had been cast in the supporting role of Vicky.[7]

In 2012, Simz joined the cast of E4's TV series Youngers as Meleka.[8]

Music

Simz is often nicknamed "Bars Simzson". She describes her music as rap and experimental.[9]

Simz has performed alongside Estelle, Tinie Tempah, Ms. Dynamite and Kano.[5][10]

Simz has performed at Rising Tide, ILUVLIVE, Industry Takeover (Urban Development) Hackney Empire,[11] Somerset House and the House of Lords.[12] She also performed at the BBC 1Xtra Prom 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside a full orchestra led by Jules Buckley.[13]

Simz can be heard on the Leave to Remain film soundtrack, performing the song "Leave It As That".[8] In early 2013, she appeared on BBC Radio 1 Xtra to discuss her performance at the Hackney Weekend.[14]

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. She also has received praise from Kendrick Lamar.[15]

On 16 December 2016 she released the album Stillness in Wonderland.[16] It was inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and supported by a comic book, art exhibition and festival.[17]

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.

Discography

Albums

  • A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (2015)
  • Stillness in Wonderland (2016)

Mixtapes

  • STRATOSPHERE (2010)
  • STRATOSPHERE 2 (2011)
  • XY.ZED (2013)
  • BLANK CANVAS (2013)

Extended plays

  • E.D.G.E (2014)
  • AGE 101: DROP 1 (2014)
  • AGE 101: DROP 2 (2014)
  • AGE 101: DROP 3|000 (2014)
  • AGE 101: DROP 4 (2015)
  • THE THEORY OF... (2015) (with her crew "SpaceAge3000")
  • AGE 101: DROP X (2015)

Tours

  • AGE101 DROP THE WORLD (2015)
  • Welcome To Wonderland (2017)

Filmography

Film & Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Spirit Warriors Vicky TV series
2013 Youngers Meleka E4 (TV channel) series

References

  1. ↑ http://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&keyid=1543368&subid=0
  2. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40 - Official Charts Company".
  3. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 - Official Charts Company".
  4. ↑ Ekanayake, Manu. "Who is… Little Simz?". Red Bull. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Islington rapper Lil Simz destined for big things - Music". Islington Gazette. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  6. ↑ "Double MOBO nominations - Westminster Kingsway College".
  7. ↑ "Bo and the Spirit World casting news". ScreenTerrier. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Production Blog 2: Lil Simz". Leave2remain.org. 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "BBC Introducing and AIF presents...Lil Simz". WikiFestivals. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  10. ↑ "Kano on Twitter".
  11. ↑ "Radio 1's Hackney Weekend 2012 - Acts - Lil Simz". BBC. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Single of The Week: Lil Simz - Eastern Jam (Freestyle) | MOBO Awards". Mobo.com. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  13. ↑ "BBC Radio 3 - BBC Proms, 2015 Season, 1Xtra Prom - Credits". BBC.
  14. ↑ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Adele Roberts, Little Simz comes by for a Brew 4 Two". BBC.
  15. ↑ BBC Radio 1Xtra (9 June 2015). "MistaJam Speaks To Kendrick Lamar" – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ "Little Simz Is Releasing New Album Stillness In Wonderland On Friday".
  17. ↑ "Through The Rabbit Hole: Clash Meets Little Simz". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
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