A FAMILIAR barrage of criticism was dispatched on social media in January, led by the likes of Lily Allen and Annie Mac, when Wireless Festival's line-up announcement included just three female acts.
Cutting through the noise, London-born rapper, artist and actor Little Simz wrote on Twitter: "Instead of wasting energy being mad about about what we don't have, especially in this country, create your own opportunities."
She also linked to the second edition of her self-curated Welcome To Wonderland festival, taking place in north London's Roundhouse this weekend, which features a majority of "beautiful, talented women of colour".
Simz values actions over words. It is an irrepressible spirit that will come as no surprise for those familiar with the 23-year-old, who has drawn praise from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z and collaborated with Gorillaz.
A doer since the age of nine when she first began performing, Simz built a studio in her childhood bedroom so she could start recording with friends.
Sitting on the bed of a west London hotel room, with her hood tucked behind her ears and clutching a hot water bottle to her chest, that hustler spirit feels a little distant. But then she begins talking.
"It wasn't a shot at Wireless," she says. "But obviously I'd seen so many people raving about the line-up. We know how things go in this country by now at this point.
"I'm not saying to keep quiet about it but let's do our own thing. I don't like to complain about things, I'd just rather do it. I understand not everyone can just put on a festival but let's speak about those things that are happening, that do have more women."
Born Simbiatu Ajikawo in north London, Simz embraced performing arts as a youngster, spending endless afternoons at the Roundhouse performing arts and concert venue near Camden; using their studios, observing artists and, eventually, performing. Then last year she linked up with the venue again, showcasing a range of rising stars before jumping up on stage herself alongside fellow rappers Stormzy and Kano.
"It was a safe space to go and create music and there wasn't many things like that around, so I took advantage," she says of the venue. "It was cheap, it was local, it was like finding a goldmine. I remember as a kid walking into the main space and going, 'Man, one day I'll play here'."
And like the left-field history of the Roundhouse, Simz always does things differently.
Her first album, the radical and cold A Curious Tale Of Trials + Persons, was unlike anything emerging from the British rap scene in 2015. A year later, she followed it up with concept record Stillness In Wonderland, which twists Alice In Wonderland to suit her story and unique brand of escapism.
Both were lauded by critics. And they were adamantly independent, released on her own label, Age 101 Music, as Simz rejected approaches from major players.
Keen to not limit herself to music as a teenager, she had roles in E4's Youngers and BBC show Spirit Warriors and auditioned for the role of Shuri in Marvel smash-hit Black Panther. She missed out to close-friend Letitia Wright which "is still a win".
In fact it worked out best for Simz, the musician, as she ended up touring with Gorillaz when the movie was being filmed. The collaboration started with a feature on the band's latest record before she performed the track live for a few shows and eventually told them she wanted the support slot for their European dates.
An artist who often partners her music with visual art, the slot with Damon Albarn's virtual band was the perfect partnership. But it was also a step up for Simz, who was yet to break the big arenas.
"I'd go in and see the venue before the sound check and it was like, 'Oh my days, is this what we're doing again today?' " she says, moving her hands to show how she had to adjust her gaze for the bigger crowds.
"Mentally and physically, I've never been that challenged. I've never been that pushed – it was a whole different ball game."
Despite missing out on Black Panther, she is still reading film scripts and remains open to returning to acting but insists it must feel organic.
"I just want to be the best version of me," she says. "We live in a society where we're always told we can't really do more than the normal. I'm a curious individual, I like to know why and how things work, so I think that's why I desire to do more. But I don't wanna be a Jack of all trades and a master of none."
In terms of music, her billing has been master-in-waiting for a good few years. Despite the positive reaction to her first two albums, there lingers a feeling among her supporters within the industry that she hasn't been given the level of respect she's earned. Possibly it's because of her independence. It also may be her gender, it has been suggested. (Though not by Simz herself who rejects the label of female MC – she is far more than that).
Whatever the reason, her third album could be a game changer. She ended up in the studio almost by accident when the Gorillaz tour finished at the end of 2017 and is now putting her final touches to the record.
"I was going through some personal s**t in life and just dipped to LA. I just needed to be in isolation," she says. While there, she ended up in the studio with old friend and producer Inflo (The Kooks, Michael Kiwanuka) who pushed her to prioritise storytelling over musical arrangements.
"He humbled the s**t out of me," she says with a wicked smile. "I have a way of making music that is comfortable and fitting for me. He was like, 'Forget all of that, the most important thing about you is your voice and what you have to say'. I ran with it and I challenged myself, I really did push myself."
If that means more witty, unique and twisted wordplay, coupled with this genuinely alternative artist's fierce determination and problem-solving spirit, it is only a matter of time before Little Simz hauls in the wider attention she deserves.
:: Little Simz Welcome To Wonderland takes place on Sunday at The Roundhouse in London.
