PREMA SMITH
HUSH HUSH BIZ SINGLE REVIEW
This Is Me
Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, the enigmatic Australian R&B artist Prema Smith has been cultivating a devoted fanbase and racking up impressive streaming numbers. Now, with his latest release, This Is Me, he’s joined forces with Grammy-winning luminary Jackie’s Boy (Justin Beiber, David Guetta, Madonna) to deliver a sumptuous retro R&B pop confection. The track showcases irresistible hooks, a soulfully emotive vocal performance, and poignant lyrics that champion self-love and pursuing one’s aspirations in spite of naysayers. Hailing from Sri Lanka and raised in Tasmania, Prema has navigated cultural hurdles that have ultimately shaped his musical essence. His oeuvre is steeped in positivity and emotional resonance, leading him to found Self Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to promoting mental health awareness. Prema’s music radiates an infectious optimism, fostering a profound emotional bond with his audience while incorporating elements of positive mindfulness, or as he dubs it, ‘good food for thought’. Driven to inspire and empower people’s mindsets, Prema Smith has established Self Appreciation Day—a celebration of self-love and recognition while advocating for mental health awareness within communities. This Is Me artfully melds pop and R&B sensibilities, boasting an inescapable chorus hook and an uplifting message, all underscored by Prema’s velvety, captivating vocals. As the singer-songwriter himself puts it, ‘I’m going to be as authentic [and] genuine as possible.’ This Is Me embodies that sentiment, with its roots firmly planted in Prema’s own experiences.
The artist elaborates, ‘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.’ Beyond its potential as a chart-topping anthem of self-affirmation, This Is Me delivers a universally relatable message, poised to reverberate with listeners across the globe.
