Little Simz: rising loud from North London

Photo: Little Simz at Øyafestivalen 2022 by Kim Erlandsen, NRK P3 on Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Anjola Fashawe celebrates Little Simz and Exposure’s role in empowering young people

Sometimes the people who inspire us most come from places that the world overlooks, from postcodes and communities written off before their stories can be told. Exposure offers a voice and platform to those who might not normally have one, opening doors for young people to share their experiences and shape culture on their own terms.

The recent release of Little Simz’s new album Lotus, a stripped-back, raw and potent project, had me reflecting on her journey, her voice and the ways her story intersects with mine. I’ve always felt drawn to Simbi Ajikawo, Little Simz, for oddly specific reasons. We share the same birthday, 23rd February, though she’s several years older. Her nickname ‘Simz’ reminds me of my older sister Simi. And of course there’s the Nigerian connection, like me, she’s Yoruba.

Beyond this, I feel proud knowing we both got our creative start through Exposure, who’ve been shaping futures for decades. Working across journalism, music, film, photography, graphic design and podcasts, Exposure offers a hands-on creative space where young people can bring their bold ideas to life.

Little Simz’s first pop promo was made through one of Exposure’s video production projects for young creatives. Reflecting on those beginnings, she says, “Exposure sparked my dreams and gave me the support to bring my first pop promo to life. I’m grateful for the chance to turn my passion into purpose.”

That early video might look like a snapshot of the early 2000s with neon colours and homemade confidence, but it’s timeless in its raw energy and teenage promise. You can already see Simz as an artist who knows exactly who she is and what she stands for. You can hear it too in her lyrical flow and tenacious attitude. Her voice isn’t just heard, it punches through with an authenticity that demands attention.

What makes Exposure so special is that it didn’t try to fit her into a mould. Simz says, “They didn’t try to shape me. They gave me space and encouragement to be myself. That’s powerful. That’s what Exposure does.”

Little Simz doesn’t shrink herself into the ‘female rapper’ box, she moves beyond it

Exposure gave Simz the support and space not just to perform but to learn the creative skills behind the scenes, helping her tell her story visually. It’s a place where young people turn their lived experience of society, community and culture into creative content that speaks to their generation.

Little Simz’s video with Exposure, ‘Fall to the Floor’, which you can find on YouTube here, stands as a lasting reminder of how crucial this support was in launching a formidable artist. Her anthemic lyric, “Let me show you what I can do,” feels like the perfect message for this stage of her journey.

Simz went to Highbury Fields School and was always dedicated to her craft. As a kid, she performed at St Mary’s Youth Club in Islington, the same place where musical talents like Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke began. Talking about her upbringing to the Guardian, especially in the context of Top Boy, she said, “Growing up here we felt like this place was worth nothing. It was essentially a shithole, there’s no opportunity here and nothing to do.”

Little Simz doesn’t just push back against this stigma. She shatters it, using the broken shards to reflect possibility for everyone watching. This certainly chimes with me as I grew up in a council house in North West London, not far from where Simz was raised in a council estate in Islington.

Her persistence in making a name for herself is so inspiring. In Venom, one of her most iconic tracks, she raps, “Never givin’ credit where it’s due ’cause you don’t like pussy in power.”

It’s not just a punchline but a reality check. In a music scene where male rappers are often seen as the blueprint, Little Simz doesn’t ask for space. She doesn’t shrink herself into the ‘female rapper’ box, she moves beyond it. Simz is a multifaceted artist, full stop.

Little Simz is building space for anyone who has ever felt like they were only invited to the table to tick a box

What makes her stand out is that balance of drive and depth. One of my favourite songs is ‘Woman’ from her 2021 album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. When Simz raps, “Yoruba girl tougher than imperial leather”, I feel all of it. Her heritage, her humour and her pride.

As a fellow Nigerian, growing up around your aunties and uncles, you learn to toughen up early and take any backhanded compliments with a pinch of salt. But in that chaos, there’s love. That’s why I appreciate Little Simz for being unapologetic about her upbringing and how it has shaped her today.

Her collaborations with Nigerian singer Obongjayar exist in their own sonic universe, warm, grounded and buzzing with west African grooves that cut straight to the soul. Beyond the music, her range is wild. She’s starred in E4’s show Youngers, in Venom: Let There Be Carnage as herself, and most famously as Shelly in Top Boy. With her bright smile, endearing sense of humour and distinctive locs, it’s no surprise she’s sought after across the creative scene.

Little Simz isn’t just representing but also building space for young Black creatives like me. For women. For anyone who has ever felt like they were only invited to the table to tick a box. Her journey is proof you can come from an underestimated postcode and still end up with a Jay Z cosign, supporting Lauryn Hill on tour and albums that sound like manifestos.

With the release of her latest album Lotus in June, Simz has reached a powerful new chapter. Built around intimate, soulful beats, confessional storytelling and cinematic strings, Lotus cements her as one of the UK’s most fearless and innovative voices. By turning real life struggles into sharp, soul-baring art, Little Simz proves once again that strength lies in speaking the truth, even when it hurts.

If you haven’t heard it yet, don’t wait, dive into this sick and seriously potent new album, Lotus! To me, Little Simz is a reminder that you don’t have to shout to be heard. You just have to know who you are and say it clearly.

If you’re into podcasts, check out her episode with Louis Theroux. It’s a brilliant listen that adds even more insight into the artist behind the music.