Born in 1992 in London, singer-songwriter Sam Smith began exploring music at an early age, taking up piano and jazz as a child. His formative years were enriched through performances with the Youth Music Theater UK, as well as involvement with the Stortford Musical Theater Society and the Cantate Youth Choir. These experiences laid a solid foundation for his future as a musician, allowing him to hone his craft and develop his vocal abilities.

In 2012, Sam Smith gained significant recognition after featuring on Disclosure’s hit song “Latch,” which catapulted him to the forefront of the music scene. Following this success, he was featured on Naughty Boy’s chart-topping single “La La La,” a move that further solidified his presence before the release of his debut album. Smith subsequently signed with Capitol Records and released his debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour, in 2014. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and included hit singles such as “Lay Me Down,” “Money on My Mind,” and the global sensation “Stay with Me.”

“Stay with Me” found immense success, reaching number one in the UK and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album's popularity was also reflected in the top-ten performances of subsequent singles like “I’m Not the Only One” and “Like I Can.” In recognition of the album's impact, Smith won four Grammy Awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, including accolades for Best New Artist and Record of the Year.

In addition to his chart-topping singles, Smith ventured into writing for film, contributing the song "Writing's on the Wall" as the theme for the James Bond film Spectre in 2015. This achievement earned Smith both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. His sophomore studio album, The Thrill of It All, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, debuting at the top of both the UK and US album charts. The lead single, "Too Good at Goodbyes," further solidified his status as an international star.

The years following saw continuing success with collaborations and hit singles. The 2018 single "Promises," featuring Calvin Harris, peaked at number one in the UK, while "Dancing with a Stranger," a duet with Normani, reached the top ten in both the UK and the US. These tracks preceded the release of Smith's third studio album, Love Goes, in 2020. In 2022, his collaboration with Kim Petras, “Unholy,” became Smith's first number one single in the US and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, paving the way for the release of their fourth album, Gloria, in 2023.

Sam Smith's accolades are numerous, including five Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, and an American Music Award. Smith's debut album, In the Lonely Hour, stands as the best-selling debut album of the 2010s in the UK and achieved remarkable chart longevity. Notably, Smith made history as the first openly non-binary musician to release a song that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and to win a Grammy Award, cementing their place as a trailblazer in the music industry.