Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes was born in Lambeth, South London. Her sound is a rich blend of neo-soul and alternative R&B. It carries the distinct flavors of her Irish and Bangladeshi heritage.
She grew up in Elephant and Castle, later moving to Ladbroke Grove. These South London streets became the bedrock of her lyrical wisdom. Her music speaks directly to identity, relationships, and the changing city.
Her debut album, “Skin,” arrived in October 2021. It cracked the UK Top 5 and earned a Mercury Prize nomination. This success confirmed her place among Britain’s most compelling new songwriters.
The Brit Awards nominated her for Rising Star in 2020. The BBC’s Sound of 2020 poll placed her fourth. The industry quickly recognized a unique and powerful voice.
Her work explores self-reliance and gentrification with emotional honesty. She writes with a streetwise wit that feels both current and timeless. Her songs offer a clear window into her life and the time she lives in.
Exploring the Early Roots and Influences
Long before studio recordings, her musical education began in the passenger seat of her father’s car. He curated a global soundtrack during drives, blending Nick Cave with Pakistani music. He framed each song as part of her heritage.
South London Heritage and Cultural Background
Growing up in Elephant and Castle shaped the person she would become. The area’s multicultural reality was her daily life. This environment provided a rich backdrop for her future songwriting.
She later moved to Ladbroke Grove at fourteen. These South London streets remained a core influence. They informed the lyrical wisdom found in her music.
Musical Beginnings and DIY Covers
A jazz workshop first sparked her interest in singing. By thirteen, she was uploading covers to YouTube. She tested her voice against artists like Laura Marling.
She taught herself guitar, piano, and bass. This DIY approach came before writing any original music. Her first album purchase was Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” setting a high bar.
A cover of Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack” at age fifteen changed everything. It gained over 600,000 views. This viral moment caught her future manager’s attention.
| Activity | Age | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| First YouTube Covers | 13 | Built confidence and online presence |
| Self-Taught Instruments | Teen Years | Gained skills for songwriting |
| Viral Ray Charles Cover | 15 | Attracted industry management |
Rise to Fame: Debut EPs and Breakthrough Moments
The path to prominence was built on a foundation of sharp, self-released EPs. Each project refined her neo-soul sound and expanded her audience.
Initial Releases and the Influence EP
Her first single, “New Manhattan,” arrived in 2016. It showcased a songwriter’s voice well beyond her years. The debut EP, “Influence,” followed in 2017.
It packed five tracks into a concise statement of intent. A major breakthrough came with a performance on COLORS. Her rendition of “Mother May I Sleep With Danger?” captivated millions online.
- “Reminiscence” (January 2019)
- “Perception” (June 2019)
This period also included landmark live shows. She graced the stages of Glastonbury and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Breakthrough with “Skin” and Industry Recognition
Television audiences discovered her on Later… with Jools Holland. This exposure led to significant industry nods.
The Brit Awards shortlisted her for the Rising Star award. The BBC Sound of 2020 poll placed her fourth among critics. These honors confirmed her status as a vital new artist.
After a planned tour was postponed, she focused on her first full-length project. The debut album “Skin” was released in October 2021. It entered the UK Top 5, a crowning achievement for years of dedicated work.
Artistry and Musical Style Evolution
Her sonic palette draws from diverse influences, creating a sound that feels both timeless and urgently modern. The artist builds her music on neo-soul foundations while incorporating experimental textures.
Fusion of Neo-Soul, R&B, and Alternative Sounds
Electric pianos and warm bass lines provide the backbone of her songs. She layers these with abstract synths and shimmering harps that create depth. The production carries a woozy, late-night quality reminiscent of classic trip-hop.
Her vocal delivery shifts between jazz-inflected power and conversational rap cadences. This refusal to stay in one emotional register makes each song unpredictable. The music maintains strong pop melodies despite its experimental edge.
Lyrically, she avoids self-help clichés in favor of witty observations. Songs like “Carmen” tackle beauty standards without offering easy solutions. “House With a Pool” addresses difficult relationships with light delivery that trusts the listener.
The way she blends influences creates music that belongs to multiple traditions. Her sound feels like a conversation over drinks rather than a performance. This approach makes each track feel personal and immediate.
Insights into the Creative Process Behind Juniper
Creating her second album became a process of balancing technical precision with raw emotional honesty. The four-year gap between releases allowed for deep artistic exploration.
From Demos to Drafts: Crafting Perfection
Some tracks demanded relentless refinement. The song “Perfect Crime” required twenty or thirty takes to capture its specific “janky” quality.
Other songs emerged spontaneously. Tracks like “Mother” and “Mathematics” were recorded in single sessions. This contrast defined her creative approach.
She embraced imperfection on the closer “Paris,” singing off-key to preserve emotional truth. The album became a study in knowing when rawness beats polish.
Collaborations and Sampling in Recent Projects
The record features meaningful personal samples. “19th Floor” opens with her grandmother’s voice from a South London tower block.
Her father discusses punk music on “Kingdom.” These audio fragments ground abstract songs in family geography.
“Pass the Salt” showcases a bold collaboration with Vince Staples. The track samples Serge Gainsbourg’s 1968 “Requiem pour un Con.”
“Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” became a viral hit despite modest chart performance. The song’s inclusion in FIFA 22 expanded its reach significantly.
Joy Crookes: A Closer Look at Personal Growth and Mental Health
The success of “Skin” came with a personal cost that few fans could see. Following the album’s promotion, the singer entered a difficult period. She describes it as a “very hedonistic phase” fueled by low self-worth.
This was a time of trying to escape her own body and life. The end of an abusive relationship triggered a severe decline in her mental health.
Overcoming Anxiety and Finding Artistic Freedom
Her anxiety became completely physical. It was not just panic attacks. She experienced an inability to keep food down, with vomiting attacks accompanying daily life.
Anxiety had become a part of her family, a part of her friendship group. Letting it go meant unlearning years of habitual behavior. She underwent what she calls “very intrusive” therapy to begin her recovery.
This journey directly shaped her music. The song “First Last Dance” captures the struggle. Its lyrics declare, “I won’t let anxiety take me, I won’t let it torture me.”
The track pairs this heavy subject with a light, Kylie-esque dance beat. It signals a refusal to let fear dominate life completely.
Real-Life Experiences Shaping Her Lyrics
Another track, “Somebody To You,” asks a piercing question. “Who am I when I’m out of your sight?” It addresses suffocating romantic relationships.
The song also critiques pressure from the music industry and public perception. She has been in this industry since childhood.
She insists her identity is complex. Her life is a plethora of things beyond music. By 2025, she describes feeling “very alive,” able to joke about experiences that would have destroyed her years prior.
This transformation, from being mentally unstable to finding new strength, is amazing. It shows a person reclaiming their health and their way forward.
Wrapping Up the Ultimate Guide on a Rising Star
Chart success across Europe confirmed what early listeners already knew. This London singer-songwriter creates music that travels. Her debut album Skin reached audiences in France, Germany, and beyond.
Four years between albums revealed an artist committed to growth. Juniper arrived in 2025 with raw honesty. The record proves Joy Crookes values emotional truth above perfect polish.
She’s already working on her third album, describing herself as happy and free. Award nominations recognize her original voice. Yet she remains focused on the work itself.
Her journey shows that great music comes from living fully. The songs feel like conversations with someone who understands complexity. She delivers truth without easy answers.
