Monday May 15, 2023
In the ever-changing musical landscape, Prema Smith, the Australian R&B artist, has steadily gained attention since his debut in 2019. With his latest release, This Is Me, he collaborates with the accomplished Grammy-winning songwriter Jackie’s Boy (Justin Bieber, David Guetta, Madonna) to create a soulful retro R&B pop track with a contemporary edge.
The song combines catchy hooks, an emotive vocal performance, and thoughtful lyrics that emphasize self-love and the pursuit of dreams, undeterred by others’opinions. Hailing from Sri Lanka and raised in Tasmania, Prema has navigated cultural challenges, using them to shape his distinctive musical persona. His work is marked by an enduring positivity and emotional depth, inspiring him to initiate Self Appreciation Day as a means to promote mental health awareness.
Prema’s music emanates a genuine optimism, fostering a connection with listeners and incorporating aspects of positive mindfulness—or, as he refers to it, ‘good food for thought.’ Driven to uplift and empower people’s mindsets, Prema Smith has established Self Appreciation Day—a tribute to self-love and acceptance, while advocating for mental health awareness within communities. This Is Me skilfully blends pop and R&B elements, featuring a memorable chorus hook and an inspiring message, complemented by Prema’s smooth vocal delivery.
The singer-songwriter himself states, ‘I’m going to be as authentic [and] genuine as possible.’ This Is Me embodies this sentiment, with its roots in Prema’s own experiences. The artist explains, ‘This Is Me derives from a deeper truth of my tenacious upbringing. Being adopted into a white family, growing up in Tasmania at the beginning of the 90s, I was constantly bullied and told that I don’t belong and to go back to where I come from.
This song is about all my struggles and failures that I have endured.’ With its tempered but powerful message, This Is Me holds the potential to resonate with audiences on a personal level.
