Little Simz has become the youngest artist to curate London’s Meltdown festival, overseeing the lineup for the 11-day event in June.

In the festival’s 30th edition, she takes over the baton from Chaka Khan, who brought the likes of Incognito, Lady Blackbird and Les Amazones D’Afrique to Meltdown in 2024. Little Simz said it was “an honour” and that her as-yet unannounced lineup was “going to be epic”.

Thirty-year-old Simz, real name Simbiatu Ajikawo, has become one of the most acclaimed rappers in the UK, winning the Mercury prize for her fourth album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Having already won best new artist at the Brit awards in 2022, she is up for best hip-hop/grime/rap act at this year’s ceremony.

She maintains a regular release schedule, surprise-releasing her fifth album No Thank You with a week’s notice in 2022, then releasing the seventh instalment in her Drop EP series in 2024. Last year also brought her first Top 40 single appearance, guesting on Coldplay’s We Pray. Fans are hopeful for another full-length later this year.

Jane Beese, head of contemporary music at the Southbank Centre where Meltdown is held, said: “Little Simz’ ability to forge new genre-defying ideas and her ambition to inspire the next generation of creators aligns with what the Southbank Centre’s artistic programme and vision stands for.”

She joins an illustrious list of former curators, including David Bowie, Patti Smith, Ornette Coleman and more.