Latest news with #Simz
Leader Live
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
‘It's been incredible': Little Simz ends Meltdown festival with orchestral show
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, brought out guests including rapper Wretch 32, Nigerian artist Obongjayar, and singer Miraa May, during a show which saw her backed by Europe's first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. After opening with Introvert from Mercury Prize-winning album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021), the London-born rapper told the crowd: 'Thank you guys so much for coming to see me this evening. A post shared by simz (@littlesimz) 'This is the last day of Meltdown festival, it's been incredible, please make some noise for the Chineke! Orchestra, please make some noise for my band on stage tonight, I want to have a good time with you guys, here we go.' She then kicked into Thief from latest album Lotus, which was released earlier this month. The artist said she was 'very excited' to be playing her new record live, but told the audience she was also going to 'take it back', before performing Two Worlds Apart. Before I Love You, I Hate You, Simz asked the crowd: 'Why you lot sitting down?' prompting them to spring into the air, dancing and singing along, where they remained for the rest of the concert. For Heart On Fire from No Thank You (2022) the rapper hopped off the stage and prowled into the crowd, waving to and holding hands with fans, while Venom, one of her best known tracks, saw Simz jump on to the conductor's podium to conduct the orchestra for the song's opening while rapping. Before Free, from her latest record, Simz told the audience: 'This next song, I wrote as a poem, and I'm so happy I made it into a song, because, it's even stuff I need to hear sometimes, you know? 'If you know it, if you like it, I would love if we can sing it together, I think it'll sound beautiful in here.' For Peace, the rapper brought out singer May, who she said she had known 'for a very long time, since we was like 14, 15', adding that they used to sit in a park in Shoreditch and write songs together, saying it was 'so special' to perform with her on the night. Obongjayar, who released his second album Paradise Now in May, brought upbeat party vibes for Lotus's Lion and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert's Point And Kill. London-born rapper Wretch 32 appeared on the balcony as Simz began the duet Blood from her latest album, making his way down to the stage, where they were joined by singer Cashh for the family argument-turned song. Before last two songs, Woman and Gorilla, she said: 'This has been so special, man, thank you guys for being here, thank you so much to Chineke! Orchestra, most importantly you guys, man, you guys, honestly. 'It's been so much fun, you've been dancing, you've been singing and really catching our vibe. 'I'm so very grateful.' This year's Meltdown, curated by Simz, has seen performances from the likes of Lola Young, The Streets and Ghetts since the 11-day festival began on June 12. Each year the event is curated by a different artist, with last year's event being planned by Chaka Khan, while other past curators include David Bowie, Grace Jones and Patti Smith. Meltdown has become known for unique performances, with The Smiths' lead singer Morrissey getting a reunited New York Dolls to perform at his 2004 event, Ray Davies restaging 1960s TV pop show Ready Steady Go! in 2011, and Jeff Buckley playing his final UK show at Elvis Costello's Meltdown in 1995.
Rhyl Journal
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
‘It's been incredible': Little Simz ends Meltdown festival with orchestral show
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, brought out guests including rapper Wretch 32, Nigerian artist Obongjayar, and singer Miraa May, during a show which saw her backed by Europe's first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. After opening with Introvert from Mercury Prize-winning album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021), the London-born rapper told the crowd: 'Thank you guys so much for coming to see me this evening. A post shared by simz (@littlesimz) 'This is the last day of Meltdown festival, it's been incredible, please make some noise for the Chineke! Orchestra, please make some noise for my band on stage tonight, I want to have a good time with you guys, here we go.' She then kicked into Thief from latest album Lotus, which was released earlier this month. The artist said she was 'very excited' to be playing her new record live, but told the audience she was also going to 'take it back', before performing Two Worlds Apart. Before I Love You, I Hate You, Simz asked the crowd: 'Why you lot sitting down?' prompting them to spring into the air, dancing and singing along, where they remained for the rest of the concert. For Heart On Fire from No Thank You (2022) the rapper hopped off the stage and prowled into the crowd, waving to and holding hands with fans, while Venom, one of her best known tracks, saw Simz jump on to the conductor's podium to conduct the orchestra for the song's opening while rapping. Before Free, from her latest record, Simz told the audience: 'This next song, I wrote as a poem, and I'm so happy I made it into a song, because, it's even stuff I need to hear sometimes, you know? 'If you know it, if you like it, I would love if we can sing it together, I think it'll sound beautiful in here.' For Peace, the rapper brought out singer May, who she said she had known 'for a very long time, since we was like 14, 15', adding that they used to sit in a park in Shoreditch and write songs together, saying it was 'so special' to perform with her on the night. Obongjayar, who released his second album Paradise Now in May, brought upbeat party vibes for Lotus's Lion and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert's Point And Kill. London-born rapper Wretch 32 appeared on the balcony as Simz began the duet Blood from her latest album, making his way down to the stage, where they were joined by singer Cashh for the family argument-turned song. Before last two songs, Woman and Gorilla, she said: 'This has been so special, man, thank you guys for being here, thank you so much to Chineke! Orchestra, most importantly you guys, man, you guys, honestly. 'It's been so much fun, you've been dancing, you've been singing and really catching our vibe. 'I'm so very grateful.' This year's Meltdown, curated by Simz, has seen performances from the likes of Lola Young, The Streets and Ghetts since the 11-day festival began on June 12. Each year the event is curated by a different artist, with last year's event being planned by Chaka Khan, while other past curators include David Bowie, Grace Jones and Patti Smith. Meltdown has become known for unique performances, with The Smiths' lead singer Morrissey getting a reunited New York Dolls to perform at his 2004 event, Ray Davies restaging 1960s TV pop show Ready Steady Go! in 2011, and Jeff Buckley playing his final UK show at Elvis Costello's Meltdown in 1995.
South Wales Guardian
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
‘It's been incredible': Little Simz ends Meltdown festival with orchestral show
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, brought out guests including rapper Wretch 32, Nigerian artist Obongjayar, and singer Miraa May, during a show which saw her backed by Europe's first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. After opening with Introvert from Mercury Prize-winning album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021), the London-born rapper told the crowd: 'Thank you guys so much for coming to see me this evening. A post shared by simz (@littlesimz) 'This is the last day of Meltdown festival, it's been incredible, please make some noise for the Chineke! Orchestra, please make some noise for my band on stage tonight, I want to have a good time with you guys, here we go.' She then kicked into Thief from latest album Lotus, which was released earlier this month. The artist said she was 'very excited' to be playing her new record live, but told the audience she was also going to 'take it back', before performing Two Worlds Apart. Before I Love You, I Hate You, Simz asked the crowd: 'Why you lot sitting down?' prompting them to spring into the air, dancing and singing along, where they remained for the rest of the concert. For Heart On Fire from No Thank You (2022) the rapper hopped off the stage and prowled into the crowd, waving to and holding hands with fans, while Venom, one of her best known tracks, saw Simz jump on to the conductor's podium to conduct the orchestra for the song's opening while rapping. Before Free, from her latest record, Simz told the audience: 'This next song, I wrote as a poem, and I'm so happy I made it into a song, because, it's even stuff I need to hear sometimes, you know? 'If you know it, if you like it, I would love if we can sing it together, I think it'll sound beautiful in here.' For Peace, the rapper brought out singer May, who she said she had known 'for a very long time, since we was like 14, 15', adding that they used to sit in a park in Shoreditch and write songs together, saying it was 'so special' to perform with her on the night. Obongjayar, who released his second album Paradise Now in May, brought upbeat party vibes for Lotus's Lion and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert's Point And Kill. London-born rapper Wretch 32 appeared on the balcony as Simz began the duet Blood from her latest album, making his way down to the stage, where they were joined by singer Cashh for the family argument-turned song. Before last two songs, Woman and Gorilla, she said: 'This has been so special, man, thank you guys for being here, thank you so much to Chineke! Orchestra, most importantly you guys, man, you guys, honestly. 'It's been so much fun, you've been dancing, you've been singing and really catching our vibe. 'I'm so very grateful.' This year's Meltdown, curated by Simz, has seen performances from the likes of Lola Young, The Streets and Ghetts since the 11-day festival began on June 12. Each year the event is curated by a different artist, with last year's event being planned by Chaka Khan, while other past curators include David Bowie, Grace Jones and Patti Smith. Meltdown has become known for unique performances, with The Smiths' lead singer Morrissey getting a reunited New York Dolls to perform at his 2004 event, Ray Davies restaging 1960s TV pop show Ready Steady Go! in 2011, and Jeff Buckley playing his final UK show at Elvis Costello's Meltdown in 1995.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Friendship Breakups Suck. Little Simz Turned Hers Into Gold on ‘Lotus'
Since she was a kid, Simbiatu Ajikawo has had a low tolerance for disloyalty. There are quick quips lambasting snakes throughout her acclaimed discography, and even at eleven years old, she spit, 'I'm Little Simz and I set trends/Don't like liars/I hate fake friends,' when her older sister took her to rap at BBC's Radio 1 Xtra. Her real breakthrough as Little Simz came much later, with 2018's Grey Area, which was nominated for the U.K.'s prestigious Mercury Prize, then 2021's Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, which won it. She followed that with No Thank You, which rebuked the music industry she was by all-appearances thriving in as something much darker and more draining than it looked. Inflo – the musician who's been tapped by Adele and Tyler, The Creator, and who's shaped the mysterious collective SAULT with Simz and his wife, Cleo Sol – produced all three of Simz's last albums. Simz has openly coveted her creative partnership with Inflo, a bond they began building when she was 9 years old. Then, in March, The Guardian reported that she was suing him, born Dean Josiah Cover, for allegedly failing to repay a $2.2 million loan – that went, in part, towards SAULT's only live performance in 2023 – which she says eventually left her unable to pay her taxes and subject to penalties. More from Rolling Stone Little Simz Previews Upcoming Album 'Lotus' With Cinematic 'Flood' Video Coldplay Tap Little Simz, Burna Boy for Hopeful Single 'We Pray' Watch Michael J. Fox Join Coldplay on Guitar at Glastonbury 'Why do you steal? Why do you spill blood and then go hide?' Simz raps on 'Thief,' the jarring opener to Lotus, her sixth album and first without Inflo in seven years. 'Why do you take the rule book from people that hurt you and use it as a guide?/I'm lucky that I got out now, it's a shame though, I really feel sorry for your wife.' The song thrashes like 1990s grunge and Simz is absolutely cutthroat on it, evoking the eerie menace of Kendrick Lamar's whopping Drake diss 'Euphoria.' The public nature of her fallout with Inflo and how readily she tackles it on Lotus makes it a distinctly personal entry to her oeuvre – listening feels more like living in her skin than any project she's done before. There's a meta-allusion to the way she refuses to bury her truth under convoluted poetic flourishes when she tells Wretch 32 not to do the same on 'Blood,' where she and her fellow British rapper trade bars as they portray siblings in a fight. Lotus is an excellent album, in part because songs like 'Thief' and 'Blood' are so uncomfortable, like peering at a nasty accident on the side of the highway and feeling more alive because of it. In the aftermath of an imploded childhood friendship, Lotus is a rigorous ode to the trauma and wisdom of truly growing up. Lotus is also an excellent album because of its deeply textured and expansive production, a satisfying victory given the circumstances. On 'Lonely,' she frets, 'Lonely making an album is tackling all doubt/I'm used to making it with [there's censor beep instead of a name], can I do it without?' Yet, under new producer Miles Clinton James, all the album's instrumentals are crisp, careful, and raw, whether they're the rugged rock of the 'Thief,' 'Flood,' 'Young,' 'Enough,' and 'Lotus,' the jazzy R&B of 'Lonely' and 'Free,' the stripped down acoustics of 'Peace,' the softly orchestral lament of 'Hallow,' the vintage Afrobeat of 'Lion,' or buoyant bossa nova of 'Only.' Where Lotus is fun, it's unforced, and where it is grave, it's understated. The album does retain some of the airy, gentle essence of Simz's prior work with Inflo, Cleo Sol, and Sault, a band in which the latter two women were the defining voices amongst mostly shrouded collaborators. The similarities, though, feel like Simz staking her claim to a sound she was integral in pushing forward. Little Simz's hard-earned sense of self-worth courses through the album. Much of her best rapping here blossomed from hardship – that, in fact, is what a lotus is, a flower that can bloom out of mud. 'I know my mind is a textbook they can learn from even though I ain't got a diploma,' she says on 'Blue,' in the middle of a calm but relentless flow full of empathetic reflections on poverty, incarceration, family, and death. 'Free' is a particularly moving trove of wisdom, expertly crafted with subtle foreshadowing between a cunning first verse on what love really is and a second on how fear threatens it. 'I think that shit is a lethal weapon,' she says. Though Lotus finds Simz rapping as victim and survivor, it's filled with empathy for just how hard the human experience is, even for her tormentor, whose own pain she acknowledges. 'I don't expect you're not flawed person/But thought you was good at the core person,' she says on 'Hallow,' before reiterating an idea from 'Thief,' that the real resolution she needs is internal: 'I'm tryna forgive myself,' she says there. 'I don't need to forgive you so I can heal.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Perth Now
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Little Simz has 'forgiven' her absent father
Little Simz has "forgiven" her dad for not being present in her life. The 31-year-old rapper has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, and although she still doesn't have a relationship with her dad, Simz insists she doesn't harbour any bitterness towards him, either. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, she shared: "It doesn't affect the memories I have growing up. "It just wasn't meant to be between them … but I think there's still a lot of love there, and I'm sure my dad respects my mum having raised his children, you know? "Now that I'm older, I definitely just understand that parents are flawed as well, and I get it. I've tried to not hold on to the anger, maybe that I once felt, or like this deep resentment … I'm just trying to let it go." Asked if it was tough to become so philosophical about his absence, Simz replied: "Definitely, 100 percent. Especially when you just internalise a lot of it. "Like, did you not love me? Like, did you not … I don't think it's any of that. I just think it is what it is, to be honest. But I've forgiven him." Simz was raised in London by her Nigerian mother, Tola, and their family home was always full of foster children. The Picture Perfect hitmaker - whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo - actually relished the experience of spending time with so many different types of people at an early age. She said: "I met so many different kids from all different walks of life who just became part of my family and who my mum nurtured and took care of. "It was really beautiful. I gained newfound respect and appreciation for my family, knowing that it's not given that everyone has loving support … I never went a day without love." Simz won the Brit Award for Best New Artist in 2022, and she took her mother on stage with her. The rapper recalled: "I thought, 'wow, you came to this country not knowing anyone, not knowing a word of English, and now your last born has just won a Brit' … it's kind of crazy."
