Little Simz, the UK rapper, actor, and general whirlwind of creativity, revealed that she’s had to push back the release of her much-buzzed-about Lotus album until June, courtesy of a surprise movie role that arrived at the 11th hour.
“Hey guys, I’m having to postpone my album due to the scheduling of shooting a movie that just came in,” Simz wrote. “Not the best for me or you no I know trust me at tried so many different ways around it just means I can’t do the film otherwise.”
Although the details of the movie are still under wraps, the choice wasn’t easy for Simz. Her message comes off like a text from a best friend who’s unapologetically honest and loves you so much that they plead with you to be the best version of yourself. “If there was ever a time that I’m requesting your grace and patience, it is now. I’m sorry, maynnnnnnnnn, I f*g am. “But just a few more extra weeks than yours.”
It’s a modern artist’s quandary trying to do two or more parts simultaneously, each competing for the time, heart, and creative energy he can devote to the other. For Simz, whose sensibility has always gone well beyond the mic, the move into film was a natural progression, having already established herself as a strong screen presence with past acting roles in Hollywood or maybe indie cinema. Came calling again with an offer she couldn’t refuse.
There’s the immediate disappointment Lotus was already penciled in on calendars and unspooled on playlists in anticipation. But in light of Simz’s candor about the delay and her history of consistently delivering profoundly personal and thought-provoking projects, it is easier to trust that the wait will be worth it.
This moment embodies what makes Little Simz such a compelling artist in many respects: her humanity. She doesn’t gloss over the bumps in the road or act like the hustle is without interruptions. She welcomes fans into the messiness of it all: the last-minute decisions, the difficult choices, the times when you’ve got to bet on yourself, even if it means asking people to wait a little longer.
If there’s someone we can rely on to turn a late-in-the-year hiccup into something that makes that wait worthwhile, it’s Little Simz. Be it onstage, in the studio, or front of a camera, she’s consistently served up art that challenges, heals, and inspires. Lotus may be flowering slightly behind schedule, but there is no question it’s coming and more prosperous for the journey Simz is embarking on in the interim.
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