JORJA SMITH BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Jorja Smith is an English singer and songwriter from Walsall, West Midlands, whose warm, smoky blend of British R&B and soul has made her one of the defining voices of her generation. Since breaking through with her 2016 debut single Blue Lights, Smith has grown from underground favourite to award-winning star, following her debut album Lost & Found with her third studio album What Are the Odds, released in 2026 on her own independent label, FAMM.

Early Life

Born Jorja Alice Smith on 11 June 1997 in Walsall, West Midlands, England, Smith grew up in a musical household. Her father, Peter, a Jamaican former musician who played in the neo-soul group 2nd Naicha before working as a benefits officer, and her English mother, Jolene, a jewellery designer, encouraged her creativity from an early age. She began writing songs at just 11 years old, and her Walsall roots and close family remain central to her public identity.

Career

Smith's debut single "Blue Lights", released in 2016, broke her through with critics and announced a striking new songwriting voice. Her debut studio album, Lost & Found, followed in June 2018 to critical acclaim and reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart. The record earned her the BRITs Critics' Choice Award in 2018 and Best British Female Solo Artist in 2019, alongside a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist (2019) and nominations for the Mercury Prize and the Ivor Novello Awards.

She continued her run with the EP Be Right Back in May 2021, which reached No. 9 in the UK, and her second studio album, Falling or Flying, in September 2023, which returned her to No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

Along the way, Smith has collaborated with some of music's biggest names: Drake on "Get It Together" (see the Drake biography), Stormzy, Burna Boy on "Be Honest" (see the Burna Boy biography), Kali Uchis on "Tyrant", Kendrick Lamar, AJ Tracey on "Crush" (February 2025), and Tiakola on "Jet Lag" — read the full Jet Lag lyrics by Tiakola and Jorja Smith.

Recent Work

Now releasing music on her own independent label, FAMM, Smith has entered her most self-directed era yet. After "Crush" with AJ Tracey in February 2025 and her official 2025 single "The Way I Love You", she released the summer single "With You" in 2026.

Her third studio album, What Are the Odds, arrived on 21 August 2026 via FAMM: a 12-track, dance-leaning record with sole production by P2J. It debuted at No. 1 on the Official Independent Albums Chart and No. 1 on the Official Dance Albums Chart on 3 September 2026.

Her 2026 diary has been packed: she performed on the debut season of SNL UK, co-headlined All Points East in Victoria Park with Tems on 21 August 2026 (see the Tems biography), opened the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on 26 October 2026 with a performance of "Blue Lights", and announced an Arena London show for 17 July 2027.

Personal Life

Smith keeps her personal life largely out of the spotlight, preferring to let the music speak. Her Walsall roots and her family remain central to her public identity, and she has spoken about the grounding influence of home throughout her career.

Watch the Official Video

Watch Jorja Smith's official 2025 music video for "The Way I Love You" above.

FAQ

What is Jorja Smith's most famous song?
"Blue Lights", her 2016 breakthrough single, remains her signature song, with later hits including "The Way I Love You" and "Be Honest" with Burna Boy.

How many albums has Jorja Smith released?
She has released three studio albums: Lost & Found (2018), Falling or Flying (2023) and What Are the Odds (2026), plus the EP Be Right Back (2021).

Has Jorja Smith won any awards?
Yes. She won the BRITs Critics' Choice Award in 2018 and Best British Female Solo Artist at the BRITs in 2019, and has been nominated for a Grammy (Best New Artist), the Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello Awards.

What is Jorja Smith doing in 2026?
She released her third album, What Are the Odds, on her own label FAMM, co-headlined All Points East with Tems, opened the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, and announced an Arena London show for 17 July 2027.