Jorja Smith announced as BRIT Awards 2018 Critics Choice Award winner

Jorja Smith has been announced as the first recipient of a 2018 BRIT Award, taking home the coveted title of BRIT’s Critics Choice winner.

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Rag’n’Bone Man and Sam Smith (among others), Jorja’s win makes her the 11th artist to win the Critics Choice since Adele was first crowned the title back in 2008. She was initially shortlisted a week back alongside Mabel and Stefflon Don.

Jorja’s success since her Blue Lights debut in 2016 has seen her win accolades from across the industry; most notably from Drake who featured Smith twice in his recent More Life collection.

On winning the award, Jorja said: “I cannot believe it, it’s been an unforgettable 2017 during which I’ve fulfilled so many of my dreams and this is such a special way to end the year… and to be part of an all female shortlist alongside Mabel and Stefflon Don, who’ve both had incredible 2017s, makes it even better! There’s lots more to come in 2018 from all of us and I will do my best to make it another memorable year!”

Jorja will receive her award at the BRITs 2018 nominations launch on 13 January. The awards ceremony itself will return on 21st February.