Sam Smith

Sam Smith, born Samuel Frederick Smith on May 19, 1992, in London, is an English singer and songwriter. They rose to prominence in 2012 with their feature on Disclosure’s hit single “Latch,” which reached number eleven on the UK Singles Chart. The following year, they featured on Naughty Boy’s chart-topping single “La La La.”

Smith’s debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour (2014), was a massive success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart and spawning hits like “Stay with Me,” which achieved global success, peaking at number one in the UK and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album earned Smith four Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album and Record of the Year.

In 2015, Smith won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for “Writing’s on the Wall,” the theme song for the James Bond film Spectre. Their second studio album, The Thrill of It All (2017), also debuted at number one in both the UK and the US, with the lead single “Too Good at Goodbyes” topping the UK charts.

Smith continued their success with collaborations like “Promises” with Calvin Harris and “Dancing with a Stranger” with Normani, both of which charted highly internationally. In 2020, they released their third studio album, Love Goes, and in 2022, their single “Unholy” with Kim Petras became their first number-one hit in the US, earning them another Grammy Award.

Smith has been recognized with numerous accolades, including five Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, and an American Music Award. They are the first openly non-binary musician to achieve a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and to win a Grammy Award. Smith’s albums have made a significant impact on the music industry, with In the Lonely Hour being the best-selling debut album of the 2010s in the UK.

Growing up in a Jewish family in London, Smith attended Thomas More Primary School and was involved in music from a young age, participating in jazz bands and musical theatre. They studied singing and songwriting under jazz pianist Joanna Eden and were a member of the Bishop’s Stortford Junior Operatics and the Cantate Youth Choir. Smith released their first singles in 2008 and 2009, gradually building their career until their breakthrough with “Latch.”

Smith’s career has been marked by their powerful voice, emotional lyrics, and ability to connect with audiences worldwide. Despite facing challenges, including being bullied as a child and undergoing liposuction at age 12, Smith has risen to become one of the most successful and influential artists of their generation.