‘So many people say things about my appearance – it’s not normal’: Jorja Smith on burnout, body-shaming and finding freedom
Jorja Smith has released her third album, What Are the Odds, a dance-focused record made with producer P2J that marks a departure from the introspective soul and R&B that made her name. The 29-year-old, who found fame after being recognised by the Brits, Grammys and Drake, discusses feeling exhausted by fame, being scrutinised over her appearance, and taking time in her home town to recover before returning with a record built for dancing rather than reflection.
The album blends UK garage, funky house, 2-step and Afrobeats across 12 tracks, featuring guests including Wizkid and Devlin, and grew almost by accident after Smith and P2J set out to make a dance EP but ended up with enough material for a full album, writing nine songs in their first two days together. Despite its club-ready sound, tracks such as For Life and The Way It Was tackle grief and lost friendship, continuing the emotional depth of her earlier work, including her Mercury-nominated debut Lost & Found. Smith also pushes back on the idea that this is a "comeback", pointing out she has toured continuously since 2017.
- Jorja Smith releases dance-driven third album What Are the Odds.
- She discusses burnout, body-shaming and stepping back from fame.
- Album mixes UK garage, Afrobeats and house despite emotional lyrics.
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Jorja Smith is a British singer-songwriter from Walsall who rose to prominence in the mid-2010s, earning early praise from Drake and recognition from the Brit Awards and Grammys before her Mercury Prize-nominated debut album, Lost & Found. She built her reputation on introspective soul and R&B, establishing her as one of the UK's leading young voices in that genre.
She has now released her third album, What Are the Odds, made with producer P2J, which shifts towards dance genres such as UK garage, funky house and Afrobeats rather than the reflective sound she is known for. In interviews around the release, she has spoken about the toll of fame, including exhaustion and public comment on her appearance, and about taking time away in her home town before making the record.
The album features guest artists including Wizkid and Devlin, and although its sound is more club-oriented, several tracks still deal with serious themes such as grief and lost friendship. Smith has also rejected the idea that the album represents a "comeback", noting that she has continued touring since 2017.