JORJA SMITH- BLUE LIGHTS
In her “Blue Lights,” Jorja offers new fans a chance to see the mix of personal observation and social commentary from the eyes of a young adult.
In the wake of so many black-and-brown men, women and children being gunned down by police-sanctioned brutality, Jorja Smith’s “Blue Lights” comes at the right time, picking up where those like Yasiin Bey, Lauryn Hill and Curtis Mayfield left off at. A classically trained vocalist, Jorja Smith used her influences to inspire her songwriting and continued to broaden her musical palate during secondary school.
“Blue Lights,” produced by Joice, was actually within a collection of beats that resonated with Jorja Smith on another level. The first verse you hear on the track was entirely freestyle, showcasing the otherworldly skill Jorja Smith has that you will instantly love. “Blue Lights is a song I wrote around a year ago,” she explained to i-D. “It questions why you should have a guilty conscience even if you’ve done nothing wrong. The video is about a black male who portrays three different paths he could’ve gone down in life… as a boxer, a police officer and as a guy in a hoodie.”
This perception that society and authority have its hooks into him is evident throughout the Drew Cox directed video. The arresting black-and-white visuals presented offer a powerful social commentary to the listeners, while impressively securing Jorja Smith’s debut to our memory banks. Keep an eye out for more from this talented soul, as we’re sure there is plenty more music to come from Jorja this year.