Little Simz named in IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch

IMPALA is the European organisation for independent music companies and national associations. The new programme replaces IMPALA’s annual European Independent Album of the Year Award, which ran for 10 years. It will see a new set of participating artists who will be announced each spring and members are free to propose artists based on various factors such as diversity and innovation, as well as commercial success.

Little Simz joins artists from 30 countries across over 30 music genres. Curated by IMPALA’s members and its broader network and launched through a partnership with YouTube, 100 Artists to Watch will spotlight key independent artists across Europe at different stages in their careers.

“IMPALA’s remit is to boost diversity across Europe, so it’s great to be introducing this new programme with YouTube,” IMPALA executive chair Helen Smith said. “The idea is to help shine a light on the range of talent the independent sector works within Europe.”

YouTube’s Dan Chalmers added: “The independent sector is a key partner for YouTube and we are really excited about our collaboration with IMPALA on 100 Artists to Watch in Europe. YouTube gives creators and artists a platform to reach the world and enables them to get noticed across borders”.

Born Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, Little Simz is behind four studio albums and a host of EPs and mixtapes, including her latest body of work Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. In October last year, she won the Best International Flow trophy at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards.