Despite stardom, Jorja Smith doesn't feel any pressure

Jorja Smith's career has skyrocketed since the release of her debut single, Blue Lights, in 2016.

The British singer-songwriter was still a teenager when that song was released. In the years since, she's collaborated with internationally renowned music superstars from the U.K. and beyond.

Now, at 26, Smith has released her sophomore album, Falling or Flying, a soulful collection of songs that straddle R&B, jazz and house music.

Despite garnering success and acclaim at a young age, Smith likes to keep herself grounded — even with a highly anticipated second album.

"I didn't feel any pressure musically, and I've always been given the freedom to just do what I want," Smith tells Q's Tom Power. "I tried not to give myself pressure.… I'm trying to be kind to myself, but I'm my biggest critic."

International success

Throughout Smith's career she's continued to be a favourite collaborator among famous artists. 

In 2017, she opened for Drake on his Boy Meets World tour. She's also opened for Bruno Mars, and co-wrote the song I Am from Kendrick Lamar's Black Panther soundtrack. 

But Smith's personal life is far from A-list. More recently she elected to move back to her small hometown of Walsall near Birmingham.

"I probably should've moved back when I started to go on tour and had Walsall as a base rather than London," says Smith. "The more music I put out and the more known I became, that's when I felt the intensity of London as a city.… You can feel a bit trapped and it's just not the same as Walsall.

"London just makes me think of work, work, work, judgments, people know me. I don't want to go anywhere."

Giving herself confidence

Despite the insecurity that can come with working with some extremely influential musicians, Smith is able to motivate and encourage herself. 

"I do get nervous, but I guess I thought to myself, 'They wouldn't be asking me for no reason,'" she remembers. "I'm supposed to be here."

This self-motivation is reflected in Falling or Flying with the song Greatest Gift, where Smith highlights her personal journey up until now.

"I'm talking to my younger self," she says. "I'm super proud of myself and the little girl that I was…. I wish that when I've been down, [and] I've been going through some stuff that I could've … just made things easier for myself."

The full interview with Jorja Smith is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview with Jorja Smith produced by Vanessa Greco.

Q14:04British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith on her sophomore album Falling or Flying