Meet Nia Smith, the South London soul singer with a truly special voice

It’s early morning in New York when Nia Smith appears on a zoom call, hours before preparation begins for her debut show in the Big Apple. Her debut EP isn’t even out at this point, but her prodigious talents have already landed her a support slot in the US with Elmiene, whose blend of neo-soul and more classic sounds have allowed him to sell out shows across the globe.

Like Elmiene, Smith deals in classic soul stylings, but the inclusion of her own musical upbringing allows it to take on a kaleidoscopic edge. The title track of her newly released EP Give Up The Fear is a heartfelt ode to the importance of being care free, while ‘Personal’ takes on a subtle dancehall edge – which led to a fresh version of the song with Popcaan.

Now, she’s on the cusp of becoming a truly important voice within UK music. You can read our whole Q&A with Nia Smith below.

You’re in in New York, how have the shows been supporting Elmiene?

They’ve been really good! I love New York, so it’s been really good. I mean, we only landed yesterday and I’ve never performed here so I’m excited.

We’re here to talk about your EP Give Up The Fear. What does this first body of work say about you as an artist?

I wanted to have a nice introduction to me, the different layers across five songs and I didn’t want to be boxed in too soon, so I feel like it represents the chapters of my life and the stories from it.

What are they? What personal side are you putting across?

Well I think ‘Give Up The Fear’ reflects a degree of self belief and ‘Don’t Cry’ reflects why I just want to live my best life as a single queen. There’s a song called ‘Reckless Soul’ too which reflects how I just had to be there for myself when I didn’t like life and ‘Personal’ is the best song on the EP in my opinion.

Why is it the best song?

I grew up listening to a lot of reggae and I think with the others you can’t tell how much reggae means to me. Obviously it’s not a reggae song, but it’s infused with reggae drums and parts like the bass line so it’s nice to have that in a song and let people know a bit more about my heritage.

You told us earlier this year about stealing your dad’s iPod as a kid to listen to different music. How did that shape you and what did you listen to growing up?

Well I didn’t really appreciate reggae as a kid because the baseline would rattle my bedroom! But stuff like Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, James Brown, all the big voices. My dad played a lot of Amy Winehouse and Adele too.

What did you like about those artists?

Amy, Aretha and Adele were just proper stand out voices. But Amy had that rhythm, she had it all and she was definitely my favourite from that iPod selection.

What was your first experience of singing and performing like?

I’ve sung all my life but I think I was in year five or six and I went to the school talent show. It was really dumb, we liked Little Mix so we called it Pick n ‘Mix. We came second, and that’s when I was like, oh, I can sing! It felt great. I then started really performing as a teenager.

What was the Little Mix song you did?

‘Wings’ It had to be.!

What’s the one thing you want people to take away from this EP?

I kinda want people to find a piece of themselves in it. All the music is honest and the more honest you are, the more people can relate. I’m sure there’s people who have gone through every story in that EP. People can find truth in it. But if you want to dance, just listen to ‘Personal’!

And what’s next for Nia Smith?

I just want to play more live shows, man and make more music. Maybe another EP, but music where I can elevate the sound. Keep it in the same world, but deliver the next story and next part of Nia Smith.