Artist Profile: Joy Crookes

Joy Crookes is a singular voice in contemporary British music, blending soul, jazz, and R&B with deeply personal storytelling rooted in her multicultural South London upbringing. Her music is a vibrant reflection of identity, heritage, and social consciousness, delivered with a distinctive voice that connects past and present.

Born in 1998 in Lambeth and raised in the culturally rich but rapidly changing Elephant and Castle neighborhood, Crookes is the daughter of an Irish father and a Bangladeshi mother. This mixed heritage profoundly influences her perspective and artistry, as she embraces both sides fully, refusing to be split into halves. From an early age, her father introduced her to a wide palette of sounds—from Pakistani music to reggae and hip-hop icons like Kendrick Lamar and Gregory Isaacs—embedding a diverse musical foundation that would shape her sound.

Crookes’ musical journey began in her teens, quickly gaining attention for her mature songwriting and evocative voice. Her debut album, Skin (2021), marked a major milestone, showcasing her ability to weave personal narratives of love, identity, and social issues with lush, genre-blurring compositions. The album features influences ranging from jazz legends like Billie Holiday to contemporary artists such as Solange and D’Angelo. It was critically acclaimed and commercially successful, reaching the UK top five, and led to sold-out tours in the UK and the US, including a notable U.S. television debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Beyond her debut, Crookes continues to evolve artistically. Her recent EP Reminiscence explores themes of memory, relationships, and the realities of life in a gentrifying London, maintaining her signature blend of candid storytelling and soulful soundscapes. Her music often incorporates voice notes and everyday sounds from her family and community, adding intimate layers to her work.

Culturally, Joy Crookes stands out as a powerful voice for mixed-race identity and the complexities of modern urban life. She challenges simplistic labels, pushing back against comparisons like “the next Amy Winehouse,” emphasizing her own unique place in music. Her work highlights the experiences of multicultural Britain, addressing themes of gentrification, racial identity, and belonging with nuance and empathy. Her performances and interviews reflect a thoughtful engagement with her heritage and environment, making her a significant figure in contemporary discussions on culture and music.

Currently, Joy Crookes remains active with new music releases and tours planned through 2024 and into 2025, continuing to build her profile internationally. Collaborations with other artists and appearances at major festivals are part of her expanding footprint. Her future outlook is promising, with a growing fanbase and critical recognition positioning her as one of the most compelling young voices in soul and contemporary music.

In sum, Joy Crookes is an artist who combines rich cultural roots, sophisticated musicality, and socially conscious lyricism to create deeply resonant music that speaks to a generation navigating identity and change in a multicultural world.