Little Simz hopes to inspire the next generation of artists.
The British rapper, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, says he wants to make the music industry more accessible.
“It's really important to me that people see me out there working because I want people to feel like my dreams are within their reach,” Sims said in a recent Elle cover interview.
The 30-year-old explained that she wanted to create an “experience” that would make young people feel like they could follow in her footsteps.
“I'm looking at ways to be more active, going to schools and youth centres,” she says. “I want to give young people experiences that they'll remember. I could be with them at a youth club and tomorrow I could be walking down the catwalk. I want them to see me and think, 'Yes, I can do that too.'”
The Gorilla hitmaker spoke out about budget cuts to youth clubs and the arts in the UK.
“It's frustrating. I can't imagine what my life would be like without it,” she told the magazine. “There's not that much to do where we grow up, so we end up traveling. Kids are naturally creative, so to try to stifle their creativity at such a young age is very damaging.”
She added: “Creativity is a way of life. If you nurture and value creativity, you learn how to understand things, how to make things, how to create, which will be very useful for your future. It's not just about drawing.”