Jorja Smith and Kali Uchis make their way to Live Nation's Revention Music Center in Bayou Place this weekend. The female duo continue their North America Spring tour through the Bayou City
. They're doing a total of 18-shows ending up in Toronto at the end of this month.
Smith released her first full-length LP, Lost & Found, last June and completed her supporting fall tour in December. The rising British star was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys.
Smith says she grew up listening to reggae, punk, hip-hop, and R&B, and wrote her first song at eleven years-old. Smith describes being "obsessed" with Amy Winehouse's 2003 debut album Frank as a teenager and was inspired by the singer's raw approach to songwriting. She said her songs are about social issues: "When things are going on in the world, I think it's important to touch on them, because as a musician, you can make people listen. As soon as people press play, you've got their attention." She cites Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Mos Def, and The Streets as influences. Her singing has drawn comparison to the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Alicia Keys.