With her latest album Lost & Found, Jorja Smith has been nominated for the Best New Artist at the Grammys 2019 and she has been named Best Female Solo Artist at the 2019 Brit Awards. She dedicated the award, with her words: "...to all the little girls and women who are just being themselves and loving everything they are doing..."
Lost & Found can be described in so many different ways. It is a stunning album. An attempt to re-explain many puzzles that have been told before but never understood. A manifesto that seems to have a fragile structure but double dares everyone and everything for straight 46 minutes.The portrait of a strong woman who can show her hard resistance even when she speaks of her feelings. She has the courage to put herself directly in the focus, clearly shares her weaknesses and fears and talks a few about how hard it can be to rebuild things right. Jorja created an anthem to be referred to as a classic in the near future although it is already a classic for many of us. Lost & Found is a road map for beginners; but for those who are already on the road, it is another perfect expression of being stuck between the past and the future.
Jorja Smith released Blue Lights on Soundcloud in 2016 after she moved to London. It's an amazing track and maybe the most significant work of hers. She was inspired by the post-colonialism in grime music and the never-ending conflict between the police and grime culture which is mostly represented by people of color. The frustration that Jorja felt deeply was a result of witnessing a scene which 11-year-old kids running away from the police. They were running, not because they committed a crime, for they were taught to feel guilty for being black. Either Europe or America, white supremacy and police brutality still manifests itself all over the world. The direct or indirect interference of law enforcement agencies to cultures, communities and private spaces is still ongoing. It's really important to point out that Jorja was only 18 when she made this song. Her self-discovery was still on, she was realizing herself and becoming from a young woman to a strong and talented activist who wants to "turn those blue flashing police lights into strobe fairy lights."
Her lyricism takes over with the first verse. The British artist embraces those little kids with a couple of advise, shows empathy towards them like a big sister. She tries to make them feel safe and OK. With the second verse and the third, she appears as a majestic urban poet and carries the track to another level. Her nonchalant voice keeps you inside the track constantly while the tension runs high with the repeating sirens and her amazing flow.
In the same year Blue Lights was released, the oscar-winning movie Moonlight by Barry Jenkins was also in theatres. It's such a masterpiece and one of my favorites of all time. I do not know if I'm digging up too much but Blue Lights also reminds me these unforgettable words from the movie: "In moonlight, black kids look blue."
If we only knew all the metaphors both the artists gave us, we would be more than surprised by how sad blue is and what it means to them. Isn't it beautiful how completely seperate forms of art meet each other with colors and shapes. I love it.
Lyrics:
[Intro]
I wanna turn those blue lights into strobe lights
Not blue flashing lights, maybe fairy lights
Those blue lights into strobe lights
Maybe even fairy lights, not blue flashing lights
[Verse 1]
Don't you run when you hear the sirens coming
When you hear the sirens coming
You better not run 'cause the sirens not coming for you
What have you done?
You went to school that day
Was a bit late but it was a Monday
Kept after class for answering back
You apologized, where's the harm in that
[Chorus]
I wanna turn those blue lights
What have you done
Into strobe lights
There's no need to run
Not blue flashing lights
If you've done nothing wrong
Maybe fairy lights
Blue lights should just pass you by
[Verse 2]
Gun crime into your right ear
Drugs and violence into your left
Default white headphones flooding the auditory
Subconscious waves you accept
You're sitting on the 4 back home
"Where you at, G? Answer your phone!"
Pause the poison to answer his message
Your boy sounds rushed, fears for his adolescence
[Chorus]
I wanna turn those blue lights
What have you done
Into strobe lights
There's no need to run
Not blue flashing lights
If you've done nothing wrong
Maybe fairy lights
Blue lights should just pass you by
[Verse 3]
Tall black shadow as you're getting off the bus
Shadow shows no emotion so what's even the fuss?
But the face of your boy casts a darker picture
Of the red handed act, he's gonna whisper;
"Look blud I'm sorry 'cause I know you got my back
He was running, I couldn't think, I had to get out of that"
Not long ago you were miming to the "Shook Ones"
Now this really is part two 'cause you're the shook one
Hands you the tool as you question your friendship
How's man like you gonna make me a convict?
Level of a felon when I've done nothing wrong
Blood on my hands but I don't know where it's from, oh
You got blood on your hands but you don't know where it's from
[Bridge]
You better run when you hear the sirens coming
When you hear the sirens coming
Better run when you hear the sirens coming
'Cause they will be coming for you
Run when you hear the sirens coming
Better run when you hear the sirens coming
When you hear the sirens coming
The blue lights are coming for you
[Chorus]
I wanna turn those blue lights
What have you done
Into strobe lights
There's no need to run
Not blue flashing lights
If you've done nothing wrong
Maybe fairy lights
Blue lights should just pass you by
[Outro: Jorja Smith & Dizzee Rascal]
"Blud, when you hear the sirens coming"
Don't you run when you hear the sirens coming
"Blud, when you hear the sirens coming"
Don't you run when you hear the sirens coming
What have you d-d-d-done done
Don't you run
Don't you run
Don't you run when you hear the sirens coming
You can learn more about Jorja Smith here:
About The Curator - Mert Turan
I was born on the day "Evil Empire" album by Rage Against the Machine was released and I brought those lucky bastards 3 Grammy nominations. I live in Ankara, Turkey and study Philosophy at Middle East Technical University. I have worked professionally in the music industry for more than 4 years, specializing in studio recording, sound editing and mixing. I previously worked for musicto both as an intern and a curator. During my internship with musicto I gained valuable experience on the music business, social media and community management. I love being a part of this community.
