What you need to know:
There is no doubt that Sam Smith is an important figure for the LGBTQ+ community and his evolution in music proves it.
If we are very clear about something, it is that Sam Smith is one of the most important figures in the music industry today. And it is no wonder, because it is definitely one of the best voices we have these days. And although she has been on top of the world for almost a decade now, she has gone through a lot of changes over time.
It seems like yesterday when the world knew the voice of Samuel Frederick Smith in “Latch” with Disclosure. Although he had already been breaking stones for a while, it was thanks to this milestone that he began his path to stardom. With songs like “Stay With Me” and “I’m Not the Only One”, Sam gained international popularity and the attention of many people.
Let’s review the evolution of Sam Smith
However, despite having a very effective formula that could have easily been repeated to make his next albums, Sam Smith did not remain pigeonholed in what came out perfectly. We say this because with The Thrill of It All and Love Goes, confirmed that he could enter more genres and, above all, say more things through his songs.
Although perhaps the highest point of his genius as an artist – to date – was seen in Gloryhis fourth album where, for the first time in his career, Sam shows himself openly and openly as he is., being a voice for LGBTQ+ culture in the mainstream. Although to get to that, the singer had to go through a lot and here we will review the evolution and path of this great artist.
‘In The Lonely Hour’: The beginnings of a promising career
In 2014, after an EP that did not have the impact that was expected and after becoming known with Disclosure, Sam Smith released his debut album, In The Lonely Hour. With this great album, in addition to giving us hits that went around the world (and that even brought it to Mexico for the first time for the Corona Capital that year) and combining the melancholy of heartbreak with an emotional voice and sincere lyrics, conquered the entire planet.
However, in the middle of the album release, Sam made a very important announcement: he declared himself openly gay, which made him a representative of the community in the music industry.. Even more when when Smith won four Grammys in 2015 and thanked the man that album is about for breaking his heartWell, if it hadn’t been for him, maybe he wouldn’t have returned home with the prizes.
‘The Thrill of It All’: Sam Smith’s first major change
For 2017 and after releasing several singles, Sam Smith left everyone with a square eye. Beyond his physical change, surprised us with The Thrill of It Allhis second album in which, unlike his previous work, He showed a much more mature and reflective side that we did not know about until then..
Throughout this album, Sam created a kind of personal diary in which he talks about broader and more complex topics. Proof of this are the songs “Too Good at Goodbyes” and “Pray”, which made it clear that he had both artistic and personal growth. although at the same time, it maintained something of its essence and the style that differentiated it from the rest..
However, in this same period and in an interview for The Sunday Times, Sam Smith publicly declared himself gender queerstating the following “I feel like both a woman and a man”. For 2019 came out as a non-binary gender person and changed his pronouns to they/themafter years “at war” with her gender. And it was thanks to this that she began to feel freer both on and off stage.
‘Love Goes’: Smith’s experimentation and self-knowledge
In 2020, when the world was still in chaos due to the pandemic, Sam Smith decided to transform his career once again with his third studio album, Love Goes. It was with this album that he broke with the expectations that had been imposed on him within the industry and in society, as we saw him looser and exploring new genres (such as R&B and electronic), expanding his musical horizons.
The example of this new direction in Smith’s career are great songs like “Diamonds” and “How Do You Sleep?”, who stood out from the rest of the album’s tracklist for their rhythm and vibes, in addition to collaborating with artists such as Calvin Harris, , Demi Lovato, Burna Boy, Labrinth and Normani. However, Perhaps the most valuable thing about this era is that Sam made it clear to everyone that he had already found himself as an artist and as a person. Which gave him confidence to dress up and do whatever he wanted.
‘Gloria’ or the album where we met the real Sam
Finally we come to Sam Smith’s most recent album. That’s right, we talk about Gloryan album that is definitely a before and after in his career. And it is no wonder, because in him, openly shows himself as a non-binary person, denying any stereotype and standing up to society, dressing how she wants and looking physically how she prefers.
And that is noticeable on the album, because we can hear a more free and self-confident Sam, on Smith’s deepest album to date. Through a compact and fluid collection of pop songs, she showcases her vocal versatility and personal growth, with lyrics about her experiences as a queer person who was raised Catholic.
The biggest proof of this is “Unholy”, where Sam Smith collaborates with Kim Petras (another important artist for the LGBTQ+ community today that we have already told you about) and in whose video he makes it very clear what facet he is in as an artist, showing his most daring, theatrical and even irreverent side.
Sam Smith is one of the important voices
In addition to its evolution and musical change, Sam Smith has been important in raising his voice for the LGBTQ+ community in the music industry, using her position to raise her voice for equality and acceptance of all regardless of gender or preference. But not only that, thanks to the fact that he has always shown himself to be an authentic and sincere person who has inspired many around the world to be honest with themselves and love themselves just as they are..
There is no doubt that Sam’s path, as an artist and person, has had it all. However, Through her songs and her attitude towards the world, she became a symbol of empowerment that has impacted many who feel misunderstood and find in Smith’s music the strength to little by little, bring out their true self..
