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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
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. Nia grew up on soul and reggae, and while there’s more of the former on her excellent recent debut EP Give Up the Fear, Jamaican dancehall veteran Popcaan punches up its spiky lead single Personal. There’s also ladles of low-frequency cool in Nia’s live show, her stylish delivery full of poise and attitude that hints at Adele’s imperious yearning and Alicia Keys’s honeyed anguish without copying either.
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