One to watch: Nia Smith

The Londoner’s reggae-spiked soul has earned her support slots with Mahalia, Tems and more – and now her debut EP brings more of that low-frequency cool

Amid all the dystopian hellscapes the 21st century has ushered in, we should savour the mercies. Air fryers. The Shazam app. And shoals of promising young female artists such as 21-year-old Nia Smith. Historically, each big record company picked one “soul/urban/R&B” prospect, backed them half-heartedly then gave up when they didn’t become stars by single three. Now, as acts such as Raye show that you can flourish without traditional industry muscle, paths are lit for a Nia to follow.

Like many talented south Londoners – including Raye – Nia (say it “Nee-a”) is a Brit school alumna. Self-taught before that, as a teen she picked up guitar, piano and trombone while dreaming of becoming a firefighter and/or precocious pop star. Going viral on TikTok during lockdown encouraged at least one of those ambitions and led to high-profile support slots with Mahalia, Tems, Jordan Rakei and Elmiene.