Alice Smith

Life and career

Raised between Washington, D.C., and a farm in Georgia, Smith spent part of her schooling at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, where she sang in the gospel choir. She sang in Moomtez and Black Rock Coalition while studying history at Fordham University. In 2006, on the release her first album, Rolling Stone said, "Smith could easily be lumped in with expressive chanteuses like Norah Jones and Alicia Keys, but she has a broader palette than either." The magazine listed her as one of the 10 Artists to Watch in 2006.

Smith's debut album, For Lovers, Dreamers & Me, spanned genres from country to rock to funk. She borrowed the title from the Paul Williams song "Rainbow Connection", from The Muppet Movie. “We were just trying to think of a title, because I haven’t thought of a name after it was all done," she said in an interview with Hiphoprnbsoul.com. "We were thinking about the music and we were throwing ideas around. We were thinking about The Beatles and The Wizard of Oz and whatever else made us think of. Then something made me think of The Muppets. I don’t even know. It wasn't something in the forefront of my mind. I just thought of it and it came to me like that."

The song "Dream" was featured on a season-four episode of Entourage during the closing credits. "Dream" was also featured in the final act of episode four, season five, of the Showtime series The L Word ("Let's Get This Party Started"). In 2007, she was nominated for a Grammy Award under the Best Urban/Alternative category. However, the fallout from pressure of the success of her debut release meant that future recording efforts were shelved. After becoming a mother, Smith relocated from New York to Los Angeles, California.

In 2011, she collaborated with Aloe Blacc to contribute the track "Baby" to the Red Hot Organization's charitable album Red Hot + Rio 2. The album was a follow-up to the 1996 Red Hot + Rio. Proceeds from the sales were donated to raise awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS and related health and social issues.

Her second album, She, was released in March 2013.

In 2013, Alice performed the song "Cry" with Doyle Bramhall II at Madison Square Gardens as part of the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival.

In 2014, Prince released an interpretation of her song "Another Love" on his album with 3rdeyegirl, Plectrumelectrum. Smith also performed "Fool For You", "The One", "She", and "Don't Get Me Wrong", and "Dreams" at AfroPunk 2014.

In 2015, Smith's cover of "I Put a Spell on You" was featured on Nina Revisited... A Tribute to Nina Simone, also provided vocals for the 13. track, "OKAGA, CA" from the album "Cherry Bomb" by Tyler, the Creator.

In 2018, Smith's song "Fool For You" was featured in the Season 4 episode One of My Three Soups of the TV series Gotham.

She released Mystery, her third album, comprising seven songs, in October 2019.

In British filmmaker Isaac Julien's 2022 film Once Again (Statues Never Die), Smith plays an anonymous jazz singer, providing vocals for the song that opens and closes the film.

In 2025, Smith provided vocals for the soundtrack to the film Sinners by Ryan Coogler, singing with Miles Caton on the track "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)".

Personal life

Smith has one daughter with recording artist Citizen Cope.

Discography

Studio albums

Accolades

|- | 2008 | Grammy Awards | Best Urban/Alternative Performance | "Dream" | |

References

Reviews

• Giant Step - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me / Alice Smith
• Sound Generator - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me / Alice Smith
• Rainbow Network - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me / Alice Smith
• Music Emissions - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me / Alice Smith

References

1. "Alice Smith receiving virtual visitors in Nueva York, November 2020".
2. Evan Serpick. (September 7, 2006). "10 Artists to Watch 2006: Alice Smith".
3. "Alice Smith: Eclectic And Lovin' It". HipHopRnBSoul.com.
4. Kellman, Andy. (2013-03-19). "''She'' - Alice Smith : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".
5. Brandon Zachary. (2025-04-17). "''Sinners'' Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play". [[Screen Rant]].
6. "Stage Buzz: Citizen Cope at House of Blues Chicago".
7. (2012-11-13). "On Alice Smith, her Brilliance, and a Night at the Hamilton". [[Brightest Young Things]].
8. "Alice Smith - Chart history (Billboard 200)". [[Billboard.com]].
9. "Alice Smith - Chart history (Independent Albums)". [[Billboard.com]].
10. "Alice Smith - Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". [[Billboard.com]].
11. "Alice Smith ― Artist". [[Grammy Awards]].