Nia Smith tells us about her stunning debut single ‘Give Up The Fear’

Hotly-tipped British soul star Nia Smith has released her debut single ‘Give Up The Fear’, as well as telling Rolling Stone UK how the track is a powerful reflection of reclaiming your own inner child.

The track – which is produced by Grammy winner and frequent Adele collaborator Jimmy Napes – comes after Smith developed a captive audience on TikTok, where her cover of Adele’s ‘Set Fire To The Rain’ has scored in excess of over 3 million views.

Not only that, but she has already supported the likes of Mahalia and global Afrobeats star Tems at their respective sold-out London shows.

“Give Up The Fear represents power, reclaiming your power, being carefree and stepping forward,” Smith explained to Rolling Stone UK.

“The story behind the song is about finding your inner child and going back to that place where you’re creative at thinking. “

Of the video, which you can watch in full below, she added: “The idea behind the video was a one-take shot thing, really low-key. Also when kids learn to ride a bike they just learn, I can’t remember learning how to do it, I just did. So having me and kids riding bikes throughout the video would show that.  It was shot in my hometown of Brixton where I grew up.”

Though this is Smith’s first release, she’s been writing songs from the age of 14, before attending a succession of prestigious music schools, including the Brit School, followed by ELAM.

Her interest in music, meanwhile, stemmed from her dad’s record collection playing around the house and she was brought up on a versatile musical diet listening to a range of artists from Aretha Franklin to Lauryn Hill, Adele, Amy Winehouse. “I would steal his iPod and learn the lyrics,” she said. 

As for the rest of 2024, Smith is holding lofty ambitions – with more music on the horizon.

“I like to take it day by day,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll do some more shows & an EP. You know, maybe a tour- I would love to do a tour.”

Off the back of this one, stunning track, you’d sense that this is a foregone conclusion. Stay tuned throughout 2024 to hear more from Nia Smith.