Little Simz: Producer Split, Gorillaz & New Album Lotus

When an artist parts ways with their longtime creative partner, the next chapter can go one of two ways. For Little Simz, the 2023 split with producer Inflo didn’t slow her down—it sparked a new wave of collaboration and a sixth studio album, Lotus, out June 6, 2025. This article pieces together what happened, where she’s headed, and the facts behind the headlines.

Mercury Prize win: 2022 ·
Studio albums released: 5 ·
Longtime producer split: 2023 ·
Gorillaz collaboration: 2023 ·
Netflix ‘Top Boy’ role: 2019–2023 ·
New album ‘Lotus’ release date: June 6, 2025

Six key biographical facts, one pattern: Little Simz’s career arc mixes rapid creative output with a fiercely private personal life.

Who has Little Simz fallen out with?

Details of the split with her longtime producer

Little Simz ended her creative partnership with producer Inflo in 2023 after years of collaboration. The BBC reported that her album Lotus was “the first work since the split” and that she “almost quit music” before its release. The exact reasons for the breakup have not been publicly detailed by either party, but the departure marked a clear turning point in her sound and production team.

Impact on her career trajectory

• The split forced Little Simz to build a new production network. Lotus features production primarily by Miles Clinton James (Online Radio Box via Facebook).
• She appears to have seized creative freedom: 8 of Lotus’s 13 tracks include collaborators (This Is Not Happening).
• The album earned standing ovations at festival previews, suggesting the new direction resonates with fans (Roskilde Festival).

The pattern: Simz transformed a creative rupture into a period of expansion, not retreat.

Was Little Simz in Gorillaz?

Her collaboration with Gorillaz

Little Simz featured on the Gorillaz track Garage Palace, released in 2017 via the Humanz deluxe edition (Spotify). Pitchfork noted the link‑up at the time. She also joined the band live for performances, adding her energy to Gorillaz’s already eclectic lineup.

Role in the band’s live performances

• Little Simz appeared on stage with Gorillaz during their tour for Humanz, delivering her verse from Garage Palace.
• She is not a permanent member of Gorillaz. The band remains the creative project of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett (Gorillaz official website).
• Speculation about a new Gorillaz album in 2025 remains unconfirmed (Reddit community chatter).

The implication: Little Simz is a guest collaborator, not a band member. Her connection with Gorillaz is historical but not ongoing as a fixed fixture.

Is Little Simz from Nigeria?

Her family background

Little Simz was born in Islington, London, England (Wikipedia – early life). She has repeatedly spoken about her Nigerian heritage in interviews; both her parents are of Nigerian descent.

Connection to Nigerian heritage

• She has referenced Nigerian culture in her music and visuals, including motifs from Yoruba tradition.
• Her real name, Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, reflects Yoruba naming conventions.
• She has performed in Nigeria and maintains a strong fanbase there, but she is British-born and holds UK citizenship.

What this means: Her background enriches her art without defining it narrowly.

Has Little Simz got children?

Her family life

Little Simz does not have children. Wikipedia – personal life lists no children, and she has not mentioned any in public interviews. She keeps her family life strictly private, declining to discuss plans for motherhood or relationships.

Public statements about motherhood

• No known interviews discuss her desire for children.
• Her social media and press coverage focus on music and professional milestones, not personal family updates.

The catch: She guards her privacy so tightly that even basic personal milestones remain unconfirmed.

Does Little Simz have a partner?

Her relationship status

Little Simz has not publicly confirmed a partner. She maintains a high level of privacy around her personal life, and no reliable reports confirm a current relationship. The Wikipedia entry notes her relationship status is “private.”

Public appearances with a partner

She has not been photographed at events with an apparent romantic partner, nor has she spoken about a significant other in interviews. This aligns with her general approach of separating her art from her private life.

The pattern across these reports: Little Simz has emerged from a period of professional upheaval with a clear artistic identity. For listeners and industry observers, the choice is between viewing the producer split as a creative risk that paid off or as a temporary setback she turned into momentum. Either way, Lotus cements her as one of the most resilient voices in British hip‑hop.