Poppy Ajudha

Poppy Ajudha
Ajudha in 2017
Ajudha in 2017
Background information
Born (1995-04-22) 22 April 1995 (age 31)
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2015–present
Label
  • Indigo Soul
Websitewww.poppyajudha.co.uk

Poppy Ajudha (born 22 April 1995) is an English singer-songwriter and producer. She released her debut and second EPs Femme and Patience (both 2018) and collaborated with the likes of Kojey Radical and Tom Misch. She won Soul Act of the Year at the 2019 Jazz FM Awards. She has since released the albums The Power in Us (2022) and Poppy (2024).

Early life

Ajudha was born to a white English mother and a father of black and Indo-Saint Lucian descent and grew up in Deptford, South London, where her father ran Paradise Bar. Her parents separated when she was young.

Ajudha applied but did not go to the BRIT School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology and Music from SOAS University of London.

Career

2015–2017: Beginnings

At age 20 in 2015, Ajudha released the single "David's Song" via Indigo Soul, which she wrote for her friend the saxophonist David Turay, who had passed away the year prior. She released her second single "Peace of Mind" in 2016 and then her third "Love Falls Down" in April 2017. She performed at the 2017 Love Supreme Jazz Festival.

2017–2019: Femme and Patience

That autumn in 2017, Ajudha released the singles "Spilling Into You" featuring Kojey Radical and "Tepid Soul". The music video for the former was nominated for Best Pop Video – Newcomer at the 2017 UK Music Video Awards. Both songs would appear on Ajudha's early 2018 debut EP Femme. The music video for "She is the Sum" from Femme was nominated for Best Pop Video – Newcomer at the 2018 UK Music Video Awards. In addition, Ajudha featured on the Tom Misch track "Disco Yes". She supported Misch and Jamila Woods on tour and performed at The Great Escape Festival.

Ajudha's second EP Patience followed in late 2018 as well as the single "White Water". Ajudha appeared on a Clash list of "women pushing UK jazz forward" and starred in a Napapijri Icons campaign. This was followed by the single "Devil's Juice" in 2019. Ajudha won Soul Act of the Year at the 2019 Jazz FM Awards. She performed on the Silver Hayes stage at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival among other festivals.

2020–2021: Further singles and collaborations

In early 2020, Ajudha collaborated with Moses Boyd on the track "Shades of You" and Mahalia on "Low Ride" and released the single "Strong Womxn". Ajudha then contributed a "Watermelon Man" cover to the jazz compilation album Blue Note Re:imagined and released the single "Black Joy. Black Peace. Black Justice".

Ajudha released the singles "Weakness" and "Change Your Mind" in 2021. Ajudha was a BBC Music Introducing Featured Artist and performed at Standon Calling. She also had features on the tracks "Darkest Hour" by Swindle with Daley and "Love You" by Tom Ford.

2021–present: The Power in Us and Poppy

In November 2021 with the single "London's Burning", Ajudha announced her forthcoming debut album The Power in Us would be released in spring 2022. "Playgod" and "NO!" were other singles from the album.

Ajudha returned in 2024 with the singles "My Future", "Ready" and "Girl Next Door" and her self-titled second album Poppy was released in late 2024. She performed at 2024 London Pride. Her original song "I Feel Free" featured on the soundtrack of the Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane. Ajudha embarked on a March 2025 headline tour.

Artistry

Ajudha's sound blends soul, jazz, pop and R&B. Ajudha's formative influences included Amy Winehouse, Adele, Lianne La Havas, Lily Allen and The Pussycat Dolls. Amid her degree, Ajudha began incorporating political themes into her lyrics.

Personal life

Ajudha is queer.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2017 UK Music Video Awards Best Pop Video – Newcomer "Spilling Into You" Nominated
2018 "She is the Sum" Nominated
2019 Jazz FM Awards Soul Act of the Year Won

References

  1. ↑ Silvers, Isabella (18 October 2022). "Poppy Ajudha: "Regardless of how people see me, in my blood I'm still half-Black"". Mixed Messages. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 Whitehouse, Matthew (12 October 2017). "watch the video for poppy ajudha's spilling into you, ft. kojey radical". i-D. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Cornwell, Jane (29 May 2019). "Poppy Ajudha interview: 'I know it benefits me being a lighter skin colour. I want to talk about it'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Poppy Ajudha's Letter To Her Younger Self". Polyester Zine. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Murray, Robin (4 September 2015). "Premiere: Poppy Ajudha – 'David's Song'". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  6. ↑ Maher, Amelia (5 July 2016). "South London's Poppy Ajudha offers a revitalised take on modern jazz". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  7. ↑ Guggenberger, Christine (2 April 2017). ""Love Falls Down" Poppy Ajudha". C-Heads. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. ↑ Todd, Bella (20 April 2017). "Get totally immersed in the sound of Poppy Ajudha". Redbull. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  9. ↑ "Review: Love Supreme Festival 2017". Art Noise. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  10. ↑ Murray, Robin (24 November 2017). "Poppy Ajudha's 'Tepid Soul' Feels Completely Effortless". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. ↑ Keith, James (23 February 2018). "Poppy Ajudha releases socially conscious debut EP". Trench. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  12. 1 2 Aubrey, Elizabeth (26 February 2019). "Poppy Ajudha says it's an "honour" to discover she is one of Barack Obama's favourite artists". NME. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  13. ↑ Day, Lawrence (31 January 2018). "Phoebe Bridgers, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Poppy Ajudha, and more to play The Great Escape". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  14. ↑ "Poppy Ajudha Concert & Tour History". Concert Archives. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  15. ↑ Murray, Robin (7 December 2018). "Poppy Ajudha Shares New EP 'Patience'". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  16. ↑ Hassaine, Nour (4 November 2018). "Poppy Ajudha – White Water". Euphoria. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  17. ↑ Finnamore, Emma (30 October 2018). "Meet The Women Pushing UK Jazz Forward". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  18. ↑ Soormally, Sabrina (9 October 2018). "Napapijri launch new Icons campaign". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  19. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (15 March 2019). "Poppy Ajudha sparks a conversation on societal norms in new single "Devil's Juice"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  20. ↑ Daly, Rhian (25 June 2019). "Check out the full Glastonbury 2019 line-up and stage times here". NME. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  21. ↑ "Moses Boyd shares new single Shades of You with Poppy Ajudha". Crack. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  22. ↑ Renshaw, David (23 January 2020). "Rising U.K. artists Poppy Ajudha and Mahalia connect on "Low Ride"". The Fader. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  23. ↑ "Poppy Ajudha - Strong Womxn [Video]". DSTNGR. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  24. ↑ Murray, Robin (17 July 2020). "Listen To Poppy Ajudha's Take On Jazz Standard 'Watermelon Man'". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  25. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (4 September 2020). "Poppy Ajudha unveils moving new single "Black Joy. Black Peace. Black Justice."". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  26. ↑ Murray, Robin (28 January 2021). "Poppy Ajudha's 'Weakness' Is A Potent Love Song". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  27. ↑ "Poppy Ajudha releases emotional new single 'Change Your Mind'". Rolling Stone. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  28. ↑ "Featured Artist: Poppy Ajudha". BBC Introducing – London. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  29. ↑ Cooper, Leonie (27 March 2021). "From Strawberries & Creem to Standon Calling: 2021's best summer festivals". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  30. ↑ Smith, Niall (9 August 2021). "Swindle Recruits Daley, Poppy Ajudha For "Darkest Hour"". Complex. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  31. ↑ Thomas, Laviea (13 October 2021). "Tom Ford and Poppy Ajudha explore the interplay of romantic vulnerability on "Love You"". Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  32. ↑ Goggins, Joe (November 2021). "Poppy Ajudha announces details of debut album 'The Power In Us' – listen to single 'London's Burning' now". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  33. ↑ Heavisides, Simon (22 April 2022). "Poppy Ajudha's genre fluid The Power In Us offers powerful therapy in troubled times". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  34. ↑ Johnson, Tommy (15 March 2022). "Poppy Ajudha Shares Video For Powerful Single "PLAYGOD"". Ghettoblaster. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  35. ↑ Renshaw, David (10 August 2022). "Song You Need: Poppy Ajudha yells back at an infuriating world on "NO!"". The Fader. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  36. ↑ Tyler Damara Kelly (26 July 2024). "Poppy Ajudha sings of queer love on "Girl Next Door"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  37. ↑ Okundaye, Jason (22 November 2024). "Poppy Ajudha: Poppy review – frank lyrics elevate soulful, funky love songs". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  38. ↑ "Poppy Ajudha live at London Pride". The Line of Best Fit. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  39. ↑ Mondor, Kat (28 June 2024). "My Lady Jane Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play". ScreenRant. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  40. ↑ Antonio Rodriguez Molina (2 December 2024). "Poppy Ajudha: Long-standing soul stamina". Metal. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  41. ↑ "The Soulful Rebellion of Poppy Ajudha". Don't Die Wondering. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  42. ↑ Awbi, Anita (22 September 2017). "UK Music Video Awards 2017 shortlisters revealed". PRs for Music. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  43. ↑ "UK Music Video Awards 2018: all the nominations!". Promonews. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  44. ↑ Quinn, Peter (2 May 2019). "Jazz FM Awards 2019 - young guard triumphs". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 29 September 2019.