EX.811 Jorja Smith

A decade on from her breakthrough, Jorja Smith reflects on growing up in the public eye, staying independent and turning towards the dance floor. Jorja Smith's career took off in 2016, when "Blue Lights" introduced her voice to a global audience. In the 10 years since that single went stratospheric, the Walsall-born artist has released three albums, collaborated with Drake, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Ezra Collective, and built an international career without ever signing to a major label. Her third album, What Are The Odds, marks a new chapter, as she turns towards the dance floor. Made entirely with producer P2J, the record draws from a broad palette of sounds, including UK garage, funky and Afro house—extending a run of summer-dominating, club-smashing collaborations with the likes of Nia Archives ("Little Things (Remix)") and Preditah ("On My Mind.") Smith has described it as music to make people move, and she'll take the tracks to London's O2 Arena next summer for the first headline show at the venue of her career. In this Exchange, Smith talks to RA's Content Product Lead Antonia Odunlami about growing up in the public eye, moving back to Walsall after London became too much and protecting the parts of herself she wants to keep private. She also discusses remaining independent, learning to set goals and how she curated her recent All Points East set. Listen to the episode in full. @jorjasmith