Born on June 11, 1996, in London, England, Jorja Smith grew up surrounded by music. Her mother, a jazz singer, and her father, a musician, encouraged her to explore her creative side from a young age. Smith's early influences range from soul and R&B legends like Aretha Franklin and Etta James to contemporary artists like Amy Winehouse and Lana Del Rey. These diverse influences have contributed to her distinctive sound, which seamlessly blends elements of soul, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.