English crooner Sam Smith steadily garnered attention for a pair of featured spots on Disclosure’s “Latch” in 2012 and Naughty Boy’s “La La La” the following year. However, the singer-songwriter seemingly became the overnight talk-of-the-town when he stepped out on his own and dropped his critically acclaimed debut effort, In the Lonely Hour, in 2014 only days after turning 22. Album single, “Stay With Me,” became an international phenomenon, exhibiting Smith’s incredible range and ability to affect emotion through his moving brand of R&B, soul and pop. His inaugural full-length earned the singer plenty of accolades along the way, including six Grammy nominations. He took home four of those awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. In his home country, he won British Breakthrough Act at the 2015 Brit Awards.
Selected Discography: In the Lonely Hour (2014)
Related Artists: Taylor Swift, Sia, Ed Sheeran
Further Reading: 2015 Grammys: Relive the Best Moments, Sam Smith Has Four Grammys, Man Who Broke His Heart Has Zero, Sam Smith Unveils Tearjerker Music Video for ‘Lay Me Down’