Grim visuals accompanied by a dubstep beat
In the world of music, evolution is key, and that's certainly true for British rapper Little Simz. Known for her captivating lyrics and genre-bending style, Simbi Ajikawo, also known as Little Simz, has taken her music from grime-rooted beginnings to the rich, diverse sound of her latest album Lotus.
Little Simz made a statement in 2021 about her talent, comparing herself to Jay-Z and Shakespeare. Her journey began with her breakthrough album "Sometimes I Might Be an Introvert," released in 2021, which marked a significant shift from her grime-affiliated beginnings. This album, along with her subsequent releases "No Thank You" and "Lotus," have demonstrated a rare combination of diversity, consistency, style consciousness, and a distinctive voice in eclectic music.
The sound of "Lotus" creates a warm sound within a musical universe typically associated with urban hustle and stress. It is a testament to Little Simz's ability to blend the raw energy of grime with the smoothness of soul, the complexity of orchestral samples, the intensity of post-punk guitars, and the introspective wisdom of Lauryn Hill.
The album "Lotus" contains tracks like "Thief," which addresses betrayal and deceit in a universally applicable manner, and "Flood," which creates a sonic state of emergency. In "Only," Little Simz sings a duet with Lydia Kitto, while "Free" and "Peace" explore themes of self-forgiveness and inner peace. The title track of "Lotus" is a nearly pompous mid-tempo hip-hop piece.
The core elements of Little Simz's music are described as "beat-science in search of the intersection between 'fucked up' and 'groovy'" and "bass pressure." These qualities are evident in tracks like "Lion," featuring Nigerian singer Obongjayar, a driving Afrobeat reenactment.
Little Simz's album "Lotus" features a diverse range of musical styles, including hip-hop, ambient soul, and Afrobeat. Simon Reynolds outlines the placement of both albums "No Thank You" and "Lotus" in his "Hardcore Continuum." This evolution, from grime-rooted British rap through soulful and experimental phases, embracing electronic influences and orchestral production, culminates in a deeply personal and stylistically diverse soundscape on Lotus.
In summary, Little Simz’s evolution spans from grime-rooted British rap through soulful and experimental phases, embracing electronic influences and orchestral production, culminating in a deeply personal and stylistically diverse soundscape on Lotus. Her latest album is a testament to her versatility, creativity, and unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries in music.
Little Simz's versatility extends beyond music, as she has shown an interest in various areas of lifestyle, including fashion-and-beauty and entertainment. For example, she might share her favorite books on her social media platforms or attend premieres of highly anticipated films.
Her growth as an artist is reflected not only in her music but also in her choice of worlds to engage with, demonstrating a broad interest in the fashion-and-beauty industry, literature (books), and even films (entertainment).
One can only imagine the creativity Little Simz would bring to another medium like fashion, where she could express her unique style consciousness and distinctive voice just as she does in her music.
