Joy Crookes doesn’t fit neatly into one box: born to a Bangladeshi father and Irish mother and raised in South London, she makes music that draws from all those corners of her identity and lands somewhere entirely her own. Here’s how her heritage, biggest hits, rise to fame, and distinct sound fit together.
Born: 9 October 1998 ·
Origin: South London, England ·
Genres: Alternative/Indie, Soul Pop ·
Biggest hit: “Skin” (over 100 million streams) ·
Monthly listeners: 7.3M (Spotify) ·
Instagram followers: 532K
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Born 9 October 1998 in Lambeth, South London (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Debut EP Influence released 2017 (iHeart (music platform))
- Breakthrough single “Skin” (2021) surpassed 100M streams (i-D (youth culture magazine))
- Net worth not publicly disclosed
- Religious beliefs are private
- Current romantic relationships not confirmed
- Recording contract terms are not public
- 2017: Debut EP Influence (iHeart) (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- 2019: Signed with Insanity Records (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- 2021: “Skin” goes viral (i-D) (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- 2024: Sophomore album Juniper (The Independent) (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- 2025 touring plans promising new material (The Independent (UK newspaper))
Six facts that form the backbone of her biography:
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes |
| Date of Birth | 9 October 1998 |
| Place of Birth | South London, England |
| Genres | Alternative, indie pop, soul |
| Labels | Insanity Records, Sony Music UK |
| Years Active | 2017–present |
What is Joy Crookes’ ethnicity?
Joy Crookes is of Bangladeshi and Irish descent. Her father is Bangladeshi and her mother is Irish, a mix she has openly discussed in interviews. BBC News (UK broadcaster) describes her as “Bangladeshi-Irish”, while The Independent (UK newspaper) calls her a “London-born Irish-Bangladeshi soul singer”. She was born in the Lambeth district of South London and raised in Elephant and Castle, according to Harper’s BAZAAR (fashion and culture magazine).
She has often spoken about navigating multiple identities. In an interview with Hotpress (Irish music magazine), Crookes said: “I am the only brown person in an Irish family.” That perspective seeps into her songwriting, where themes of displacement and belonging recur.
Crookes’ mixed heritage is not a footnote — it’s the engine of her music. By refusing to pick one identity over another, she taps into a universal experience that resonates with listeners from multicultural backgrounds everywhere.
The pattern: Her ethnicity is a well-documented fact, but its influence on her artistry is something she continues to explore publicly.
What is Joy Crookes’ biggest hit?
Her most streamed song is “Skin”, released in 2021. According to i-D (youth culture magazine), the track has accumulated over 100 million streams across platforms. Other notable singles include “When You Were Mine” (2020) and “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now”, both of which helped build her early following.
“Skin” went viral on TikTok and became the lead single for her debut studio album of the same name, released in October 2021 via Insanity Records. i-D notes that the album debuted to critical acclaim, with tracks like “19th Floor” — named after her grandmother’s apartment on the 19th floor in South London, per Euphoria Magazine (arts and culture platform).
The catch: While “Skin” is her commercial peak, earlier singles like “Two Nights” and “Early” charted on the UK Asian Top 40, according to Deezer (streaming platform), showing her appeal was building long before the viral moment.
“Skin” gave Crookes worldwide recognition, but it also set high expectations for her follow-up. For an artist who resists genre boxes, the pressure to repeat a monster hit can be a creative hurdle.
What this means: Crookes’ biggest hit is a clear statistical fact — but her catalogue proves she’s far from a one-hit wonder.
How did Joy Crookes become famous?
Rise through YouTube covers
She began posting covers on YouTube as a teenager. A cover of “Hit the Road Jack” earned early attention. BBC News credits that cover as her breakthrough exposure, leading to a growing online audience.
Signing with Insanity Records
In 2019, Crookes signed with Insanity Records, a UK independent label. That same year, she was named fourth in the BBC Sound of 2020 poll, per BBC News. The recognition gave her mainstream credibility before she had released a full album.
Debut EP and breakthrough
Her debut EP Influence dropped in 2017, followed by Reminiscence in 2019, which included the single “Two Nights”. Then came “When You Were Mine” (2020), a song that caught fire on streaming services. But it was “Skin” in 2021 that cemented her fame. i-D reported that the track’s TikTok virality drove millions of new listeners to her catalogue in weeks.
Sophomore album Juniper
Her second album Juniper arrived in 2024. The Independent described it as a more mature sound, with the single “Painkiller” inspired by an abusive relationship.
The pattern: Crookes’ rise isn’t a Cinderella story — it’s a patient build from covers to EPs to label signing to a viral single, each step solidifying a fanbase that values authenticity.
The bottom line: Crookes did not appear overnight; each stage of her career added a new layer of audience, which is why her breakthrough felt more like a culmination than a fluke.
How old is Joy Crookes?
Born on 9 October 1998, Joy Crookes is 26 years old as of 2025. Her birthplace is the Lambeth district of South London, according to Wikipedia. Her age places her in the same generation as other UK soul-pop breakout artists like Celeste and Griff, who also emerged in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Her full name — Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes — reflects her multicultural background: Akther is a common Bengali name, while Crookes is Irish. Wikipedia lists this as her legal name, though she performs simply as Joy Crookes.
What genre of music does Joy Crookes make?
Her sound blends alternative, indie pop, and soul. Platforms like Deezer label her “neo-soul”, while Wikipedia lists genres as alternative R&B and soul pop. Crookes herself has pushed back against strict categorization. In an interview with i-D, she said she wants to make pop music, not be boxed into neo-soul or R&B.
Her repertoire incorporates elements of R&B and folk. Critics describe her music as “soulful pop with introspective lyrics”. The song “Poison”, which she wrote at 15 (Hotpress), shows her early gift for narrative songwriting.
Crookes resists genre labels, yet the industry keeps applying them. For listeners, the best approach is to ignore the tags and listen to the music — it’s more honest that way.
Why this matters: Genre labels help algorithms, but they fail to capture Crookes’ core strength: storytelling that feels personal but universal.
Timeline
- — Born Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes in South London (Wikipedia)
- — Released debut single “New Manhattan” (iHeart)
- — Debut EP Influence on SoundCloud (iHeart)
- — Signed with Insanity Records; named BBC Sound of 2020 (#4) (BBC News)
- — Single “When You Were Mine” and EP Reminiscence (Deezer)
- — Debut album Skin released; “Skin” goes viral (i-D)
- — Sophomore album Juniper released (The Independent)
The pattern: each career marker builds on the last, from homemade covers to chart-igniting album tracks.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place are confirmed via Wikipedia.
- Her parents’ ethnicities are confirmed by BBC News and The Independent.
- Her biggest hit is “Skin” (verified by streaming data via i-D).
- She is signed to Insanity Records (iHeart).
What’s unclear
- Net worth is not publicly known.
- Religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.
- Current romantic relationships are private.
- Recording contract terms are not public.
The bottom line: the public record settles her origins and career landmarks, but leaves her private life and finances out of view.
In her own words and critical takes
“I am the only brown person in an Irish family.”
— Joy Crookes, speaking to Hotpress (Irish music magazine)
“She wants to make pop music, not be boxed into neo-soul or R&B.”
— i-D (youth culture magazine), in their album interview with Crookes
“Her new single ‘Painkiller’ was inspired by an abusive relationship.”
— The Independent (UK newspaper), reporting on her songwriting process
The pattern: the public record and Crookes’ own words agree — she resists boxes and writes from lived experience.
Joy Crookes has built a career on her own terms: mixing heritage, genre, and honest storytelling into music that feels both intimate and universal. For the British music scene, her trajectory offers a lesson in patience — she spent years on YouTube and EPs before one song turned her into a household name. For listeners looking for an artist who reflects the multicultural reality of modern Britain, Crookes is not just a singer — she’s a mirror. If the industry keeps trying to fit her in a box, it will miss the music that made her name.
Related reading: Joy Crookes album interview
Frequently asked questions
What is Joy Crookes’ real name?
Her full name is Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes, as listed on Wikipedia.
Does Joy Crookes have any siblings?
She has not publicly shared details about siblings. The information is not confirmed in available sources.
How many albums has Joy Crookes released?
As of 2025, she has released two studio albums: Skin (2021) and Juniper (2024). She also has several EPs: Influence (2017) and Reminiscence (2019).
Who produced Joy Crookes’ music?
Her debut album Skin was produced with collaborators including Blue May, Mikey J, and Sam Beste. i-D mentions the production team in their album feature.
Is Joy Crookes touring in 2025?
She has announced live shows for 2025. Check her official website for current tour dates.
What is Joy Crookes’ most famous song?
Her most famous song is “Skin”, which has over 100 million streams. i-D reported the streaming milestone.
Does Joy Crookes write her own songs?
Yes, she writes or co-writes all of her songs. The song “Poison”, written when she was 15, is an example of her early songwriting, per Hotpress.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.