Joy Crookes is a British singer-songwriter from South London whose music blends neo soul, alternative R&B, and pop. Her debut album Skin arrived in 2021 to critical acclaim, and she returned in September 2025 with her second album Juniper. Known for her warm, emotive vocals and lyrics that often explore identity, family, and belonging, Crookes has become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary UK soul.
Born Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes on 9 October 1998 in Lambeth, South London, she grew up between two households after her parents separated. Her mother is Bangladeshi and her father is Irish, a dual heritage that has shaped both her worldview and her music. She has described herself as fully both Bangladeshi and Irish rather than split between them, and her songs frequently reflect that cultural duality.
Crookes first gained attention as a teenager posting covers online, then built a steady following through EPs such as Influence and Reminiscence. Her breakthrough came with Skin in 2021, which earned Mercury Prize and BRIT Award recognition. Now, with Juniper out in 2025, she is touring again and expanding her reach into acting with a debut role in the film Ish.
Who Is Joy Crookes? Ethnicity, Parents, and Religion
Joy Crookes (full name: Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes)
9 October 1998 (age 26)
Soul, R&B, Pop, Indie Pop
Bangladeshi (mother), Irish (father)
Key Insights About Joy Crookes
- Joy Crookes is a British singer-songwriter with a mixed Irish and Bangladeshi background, often reflected in her music’s cultural textures.
- Her second album Juniper was released in September 2025, receiving critical acclaim for its maturity and lyrical depth.
- She is known for being private about her personal life; no confirmed information on a husband or partner is publicly available.
- Her debut album Skin (2021) established her as a significant voice in UK soul, earning comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Celeste.
- She made her acting debut in Ish, which premiered in August 2025.
- Her musical influences include a wide mix of soul, R&B, reggae, hip-hop, and classic songwriters.
Joy Crookes at a Glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes |
| Date of Birth | 9 October 1998 |
| Birthplace | South London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | White (Irish) and Asian (Bangladeshi) |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, Pop, Indie Pop |
| Labels | Insanity Records, Warner Music UK |
| Debut Album | Skin (2021) |
| Second Album | Juniper (2025) |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, guitar |
Joy Crookes was born and raised in South London, specifically in the Elephant and Castle area, which she has often cited as formative to her identity and music. Her mother is Bangladeshi, from the Comilla or Dhaka region, and her father is Irish, from Dublin. According to an interview with The New York Times, her father moved to Britain to study engineering and met her mother there. Her parents separated when she was young, and she split time between two households in South London.
Regarding religion, Joy Crookes has not made any public statements about her religious beliefs. No reliable source confirms her affiliation with any faith, and this aspect of her personal life remains private.
What Genre Is Joy Crookes’ Music? Style and Influences
Joy Crookes is most often labeled as neo soul and alternative R&B, though her sound reaches beyond those categories. Coverage also describes her music as soul and R&B with elements of pop, jazz, and indie pop. German Wikipedia and other sources consistently place her within the soul and R&B tradition, with a vocal style that draws comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Musical Influences and Background
Her influences reflect her cross-cultural upbringing. In interviews, she has cited a wide mix of soul, R&B, reggae, hip-hop, and classic songwriters. Growing up in South London with a Bangladeshi mother and Irish father exposed her to different musical traditions, which she has woven into her own work. As she told The Line of Best Fit, her identity is fully both Bangladeshi and Irish, and that duality naturally informs the textures and themes in her songs.
The Song “When You Were Mine”
“When You Were Mine” is one of Joy Crookes’ most popular tracks. It appears on her debut album Skin and is a soulful, introspective song about a past relationship. The lyrics explore memory, loss, and the emotional weight of looking back at someone who once mattered deeply. The track showcases her strength as a songwriter and her ability to pair personal storytelling with warm, understated production.
Joy Crookes’ music is often described as neo soul and alternative R&B, but her sound also draws on pop, jazz, and indie pop. For a good entry point, start with “When You Were Mine” and “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” from Skin, then move to the more mature, introspective tracks on Juniper.
What Happened to Joy Crookes? Latest Career Updates
Joy Crookes has been steadily active since her breakthrough. Far from any controversy or hiatus, her career has progressed naturally through recording, touring, and new creative ventures. The main development in 2025 is the release of her second album Juniper on 26 September 2025, according to evoke.ie. The album has been described as a stylistic evolution, incorporating more live instrumentation and introspective songwriting.
New Album: Juniper (2025)
Juniper is Joy Crookes’ second studio album and follows her debut Skin by four years. The album was released in September 2025 and has received critical acclaim for its maturity and lyrical depth. According to Wikipedia, the album marks a clear artistic progression, with Crookes taking more control over production and sound direction.
Tour and Live Performances
Crookes has been touring in support of Juniper with dates extending into 2025. While a detailed standalone “Juniper tour 2025” itinerary with all venues has not been published in the available sources, she has been performing at major festivals and venues in the UK and Europe. Fans can expect additional dates to be announced as the album cycle continues.
Acting Debut
In August 2025, Joy Crookes made her acting debut in the film Ish. This marks a new direction for the singer-songwriter, expanding her creative work beyond music. No further details about additional acting projects have been announced.
While Crookes is touring in support of Juniper, a complete, verified list of tour dates and venues for a standalone “Juniper tour 2025” has not been published in the available sources. Some details may change, and fans should check her official website for the most current information.
Is Joy Crookes Married? Personal Life and Relationships
Joy Crookes is known for keeping her personal life private. Based on all available information from reliable sources, there is no confirmed evidence that she is married or has a husband. No interviews, biographies, or official records mention a spouse or long-term partner. The question of her marital status has been raised in searches, but no verified answer exists.
Similarly, there is no reliable information about who she is dating or has dated in the past. She has not publicly discussed relationships in interviews, and media coverage focuses almost entirely on her music and career. This privacy is consistent with how she handles other aspects of her personal background, such as religion.
Joy Crookes has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships, a spouse, or a partner. All claims about a husband or dating history remain unsubstantiated. She maintains a clear boundary between her public musical career and her private personal life.
Key Milestones in Joy Crookes’ Career Timeline
- 2016 – Released debut single “Who Are You?” at age 17.
- 2019 – Released EP Reminiscence, gaining wider recognition.
- 2021 – Debut studio album Skin released to critical acclaim; earned Mercury Prize and BRIT Award attention.
- 2023 – Performed at Glastonbury and other major festivals.
- 2025 – Released second album Juniper on 26 September; embarked on UK and European tour; made acting debut in Ish.
For more on British artists with similar career trajectories, read about James Arthur – Biography, Net Worth and Music Career.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Joy Crookes?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date (9 October 1998) confirmed via Wikipedia and interviews. | Religion: No public statements; Joy Crookes has not discussed her religious beliefs. |
| Ethnic background (Irish father, Bangladeshi mother) confirmed by multiple sources. | Marital status: No confirmed spouse or long-term partner; rumors are unsubstantiated. |
| Parent names: mother is Rezina Crookes, father is Irish (not publicly named). | Relationship history: She keeps personal relationships private; no verified information. |
| Discography (Skin, Juniper, singles) confirmed. | Upcoming tour details beyond announced dates may change. |
| Genre classification (soul, R&B, pop) widely reported. | — |
What Does Joy Crookes’ Music Represent in the UK Soul Scene?
Joy Crookes emerged in the late 2010s as part of a new wave of UK soul artists blending traditional soul with contemporary pop and R&B. Her mixed heritage appears frequently in lyrics exploring identity, belonging, and cultural duality. The 2025 album Juniper marks a stylistic evolution, incorporating more live instrumentation and introspective songwriting. She is often compared to artists like Celeste, Amy Winehouse, and Corinne Bailey Rae for her vocal tone and emotive delivery.
Her music resonates with a generation navigating questions of heritage, home, and selfhood. Songs like “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” and “When You Were Mine” show a writer who can move between personal confession and broader social observation. In interviews, she has spoken about how growing up between two cultures gave her a unique perspective that she channels into her art.
As noted in The Irish Times, Crookes has been outspoken about the challenges facing artists in the UK, including funding cuts and the cost of living crisis. She has described England as having “a way of f***ing people over constantly,” but remains committed to making music that speaks honestly about her experience.
Where Does the Information About Joy Crookes Come From?
The most comprehensive source for biographical and discography facts about Joy Crookes is Wikipedia, which draws on interviews and news articles from outlets such as The New York Times, The Irish Times, and The Line of Best Fit. Her official website at joycrookes.com provides tour dates, album announcements, and official merchandise. Her record label, Insanity Records, handles press releases and album credits. For the latest personal and promotional content, her official Instagram and YouTube channel are the primary sources.
“I’m fully both. I’m not half and half. I’m fully Bangladeshi and fully Irish.”
— Joy Crookes, speaking to Hot Press about her dual heritage
“England has a way of f***ing people over constantly. It’s a very difficult place to be an artist right now.”
— Joy Crookes, speaking to The Irish Times (2025)
A Quick Summary of Joy Crookes’ Life and Career
Joy Crookes is a 26-year-old British singer-songwriter of Irish and Bangladeshi heritage, born and raised in South London. She broke through with her debut album Skin in 2021 and released her second album Juniper in September 2025. Her music blends neo soul, alternative R&B, and pop, and she has been compared to artists like Amy Winehouse and Celeste. She keeps her personal life private, with no confirmed information about a husband or partner. For more on British artists with similar career trajectories, read about Jade Thirlwall – Age, Bio, Ethnicity and Solo Career 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joy Crookes
How old is Joy Crookes?
Joy Crookes was born on 9 October 1998, making her 26 years old as of 2025.
Where was Joy Crookes born?
She was born in Lambeth, South London, England.
What is Joy Crookes’ full name?
Her full name is Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes.
What are Joy Crookes’ most popular songs?
Popular songs include “When You Were Mine,” “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” “Skin,” “Someone Else’s,” and “You Mean The World To Me.”
Does Joy Crookes have siblings?
There is no public information about siblings; she has not disclosed any in interviews.
What happened to Joy Crookes’ career in 2024?
In 2024 she was preparing and recording her second album Juniper, which was released in early 2025. No major controversies or hiatus occurred.
What is Joy Crookes’ ethnicity?
She is of Irish (father) and Bangladeshi (mother) descent, and identifies as fully both.
Does Joy Crookes have a husband?
No confirmed information about a husband or spouse is publicly available. She keeps her personal life private.
What genre is Joy Crookes’ music?
Her music is most often described as neo soul and alternative R&B, with elements of pop, jazz, and indie pop.
When did Joy Crookes release her second album?
Her second album Juniper was released on 26 September 2025.
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