Sam Smith

Who Is Sam Smith?

Sam Smith, born in London on May 19, 1992, is a renowned singer and songwriter who gained international recognition with their powerful vocals and emotive music. Smith first entered the music scene as the featured vocalist on Disclosure’s 2012 hit song “Latch,” which helped establish their distinctive sound. Their debut single, “Lay Me Down,” followed shortly after, marking the beginning of a successful career. In 2014, Smith released their debut album In the Lonely Hour, which included the chart-topping hit “Stay With Me.” This song became a global anthem and earned Smith four Grammy Awards, including prestigious honors for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. In 2019, Smith publicly announced their preference for non-binary pronouns, furthering their advocacy for inclusivity.

Early Years

Born in London, Sam Smith’s musical journey began at a young age. They displayed a natural talent for singing, and by 2009, Smith’s emerging career gained media attention, particularly when their mother, a successful banker, was reportedly fired for allegedly using company time to promote her child’s singing career. At this stage, Smith had only recorded two songs. During their teenage years, Smith attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, while simultaneously nurturing their musical abilities. Influenced by iconic soul artists like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, Smith worked toward building a future in the music industry.

First Hits

Sam Smith’s breakthrough came when they lent their voice to Disclosure’s 2012 track “Latch.” The song showcased Smith’s signature falsetto over an electronic beat, captivating both listeners and critics alike. “Latch” climbed to the top of the UK singles chart, and Smith’s distinctive vocal style caught the attention of a wider audience. This success was followed by the release of their single “Lay Me Down.”

Smith continued to make waves in 2013 with another high-profile feature, this time on Naughty Boy’s “La La La,” a Bollywood-inspired track that quickly reached No. 1 on the UK charts. The following year, Smith released their debut EP Nirvana, which featured an acoustic version of “Latch.” In February 2014, Smith scored another hit with “Money on My Mind,” and by May 2014, their highly anticipated debut album In the Lonely Hour was released in the UK. The album’s emotional depth and evocative ballads solidified Smith as a major force in contemporary music.

Coming Out and Awards Success

In the same month that In the Lonely Hour was released, Sam Smith made a significant personal revelation: they came out as gay. Despite the album’s theme of love, Smith shared that they had never experienced it firsthand. In an interview with Fader, Smith explained, “I’ve never been in a relationship before. In the Lonely Hour is about a guy I fell in love with last year, and he didn’t love me back. I was in a very dark place.”

That “dark place” eventually led Smith to remarkable achievements. At the 2015 Grammy Awards, they took home four awards, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Stay With Me.” During their acceptance speech, Smith reflected on their journey: “Before I made this record, I was doing everything to try and get my music heard. It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and people started to listen.”

More Disclosure and James Bond

Smith continued their musical momentum in 2015, releasing a re-recorded version of “Lay Me Down” as a duet with John Legend. The track reached No. 1 on the UK pop charts and raised funds for the charity initiative Comic Relief. Smith also contributed vocals to “Omen,” a track from Disclosure’s sophomore album Caracal.

In a groundbreaking move, Smith entered the James Bond universe, lending their voice to the theme song “Writing’s on the Wall” for Spectre. Co-written with Jimmy Napes, the song became a No. 1 hit in the UK and earned Smith both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in 2016. Smith dedicated the Oscar win to LGBT communities worldwide, marking a significant moment in both their career and advocacy for equality.

Second Album: ‘The Thrill of It All’

Smith’s sophomore album, The Thrill of It All, debuted in 2017 with the lead single “Too Good at Goodbyes.” The album quickly achieved commercial success, reaching No. 1 on both the UK and US charts. Smith’s collaborations with Calvin Harris on “Promises” and with Normani on “Dancing with a Stranger” further solidified their presence in the mainstream music scene.

In 2019, Smith released “How Do You Sleep?” followed by a cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” later that year. The artist also teased new material with the February 2020 single “To Die For,” which was initially set to be the title of their upcoming album. However, in March, Smith announced a delay in the album’s release due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Decision to Use Non-Binary Pronouns

In 2019, Smith made another personal and public announcement: they would begin using non-binary pronouns (they/them). “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender, I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out,” Smith shared on Instagram. “I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision, but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think.” This step was part of Smith’s broader journey of self-acceptance and authenticity.