Joy Crookes is Taking on the World
The Bangladeshi Irish singer, whose rich voice has been compared to that of Amy Winehouse, chats with us about compliments that are “too big,” writer's block, and London's best South Asian food.
Joy Crookes is only 20 but her sound feels older and richer. The Bangladeshi-Irish South Londoner has often been compared to Amy Winehouse, but Crookes denies it: “I don’t want to go around thinking I’m the shit.” And yet, the two singers have undeniable similarities — depth, texture, and a soul that seems to echo through generations.
Crookes grew up listening to Nina Simone (she tries to live by Simone's words, “freedom is no fear”), Nellie Furtado, Sarah Vaughan, and old roots reggae. She's set to release her EP this month and spoke to us about compliments that are ‘too big’, writer's block, and London's best South Asian food.