Quotes from Jorja Smith

A lot of stuff doesn't faze me. I think it's because I was brought up in a small town, and normally, when you're from a small town, when you see a famous person, you'd be like, 'Oh my god. This never happens,' but I've always kind of been like nonchalant.

My voice makes the genre because I sound like me on all my songs - I've made my own genre: Jorja Smith.

It's very special that I can go through things - and write them down and record them - and so many people can relate. Not everybody can get out who they are and really feel better after they write.

I get so many people coming up to me being like, Aahhh! And I'm like, what the hell? I'm just me!

My dad will always criticize me. He doesn't care if it hurts my feelings. If I start acting a certain way, he would be like, 'Who do you think you are?' So many people can tell me, 'You're amazing,' but I don't think it. I'm really hard on myself.

So many people can tell me, 'You're amazing,' rather, but I don't think it. You know, so, I don't go around thinking this. I'm really hard on myself. I think that's quite good.

Both my parents have been big influences on me wanting to do music. My mum's always been, 'Just do it. Just sing.'

I've always loved music since I was 11. I used to play keyboard, and I would write music. So since 11, I've been falling in love with music.

With a label, pressure is added. Being independent, you don't feel a lot of pressure.

I'm not with a label, so I haven't ever felt pressure to be a certain way. I've got a cool team who just love music.

When I found 'New Chain' by Col3trane, honestly, I couldn't stop playing it. It's a good road trip song because the beat just drives on.

A road trip in Cuba is probably top of my list.

I've got so many melodies in my head.

Michael Jackson was a Gemini. Kanye, Lauryn Hill, a lot of people that are amazing artists are Geminis.

A dream of mine is to write a 'Bond' theme tune.

I did classical singing at school. I did exams in that. I'd sing soprano, and we'd sing in German; we'd do Schubert for my pieces, in Latin, French... I really enjoyed that. I kind of miss it.

I used to blame myself for a lot of things, and I apologise loads. I don't do it any more, but when I was in the studio - and it was my song - I'd say 'sorry' every time I got a note wrong.

There's this issue where I'm really doing well and got hate 'cause I'm too light-skinned. I understand why people say that - throughout history, the lighter you are, that's how it's been. But it's not my fault. My mom and dad had me! I look how I look.

The people who are the most powerful and have the most money sometimes don't value other people.

There's always so much energy from me and my band. Lots of fun and twists in each song.

There's always been music in my house growing up. In the kitchen, there's a speaker, and we'd always have my mum's iPod in it - she never makes food without listening to music. And I used to watch 'Top of the Pops' with my dad.

Obviously I've grown up around YouTubers, people getting millions of hits, but I was never anywhere near that.

I like a new challenge.

My favourite number is 11.