Josh Tranter & Rachael Lewis
BBC WM
Shyamantha Asokan
BBC News, West Midlands
BBC
Jorja Smith was born in Walsall in 1997 and began writing songs aged 11
Brit Award-winning musician Jorja Smith has made the Black Country accent go viral on social media.
The 27-year-old from Walsall recently released new single Crush with AJ Tracey, which features her rapping.
Thousands of fans across the globe picked up on her accent, with many saying they “love” it and were trying to find out where it was from.
Walsall Tiktoker Madson Hodgson said: “Never in my life have I heard someone saying that Walsall is the most exotic accent in the UK.”
Bonnie Jenkins, who went to the same school as Jorja Smith, said she inspired others to sing
Mr Hodgson said it was good to see such positive comments about the accent online.
“It’s normally slander,” he said. “‘Eugh, where’s that accent from?’ I don’t want to hear that no more – never again!”
In Walsall, people are feeling “proud” their accent was being recognised globally.
Libby Wood told BBC Radio WM of her thoughts about the news.
“It’s got a bad rep everywhere, people think it makes people sound stupid, that we’re slow, but I think it’s a really nice accent,” she said.
“It makes me think of family, I think it’s very warm and friendly.”
How is the Black Country accent exotic?
Smith was born in Walsall in 1997 and began writing songs aged 11.
She earned a music scholarship at Aldridge School in Walsall and was found by a music manager when she was 15.
Bonnie Jenkins, who was a few years below Smith at school in Aldridge, said: “I think she’s inspired a lot of people around here to sing to be fair.
“When I was at school, everybody was doing it. And obviously [it’s] made people more confident in their accent as well.”
Lisa Sweet said it made a nice change for people to like the accent.
Meanwhile, Lisa Sweet from the area said: “It makes a nice change, because most people don’t think our accent’s very good.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s exotic myself, personally, but it’s a nice thought.”
Smith’s debut album Lost and Found spent three weeks in the Top 20.
She has also won awards including the Brits Critics’ Choice Award and Best British Female Artist.
