Joy Crookes – Biography, Parents, and New Album Juniper 2025
Joy Crookes has become one of the most distinctive voices in British soul, blending rich storytelling with a sound that draws from her multicultural upbringing. With the release of her second album Juniper in September 2025 and her acting debut in the film Ish, the London-born singer-songwriter continues to expand her creative reach. This profile covers her background, family, relationships, career milestones, and the questions that fans most frequently ask.
Born in Lambeth, South London, in 1998, Crookes grew up navigating two cultures: her father’s Irish roots and her mother’s Bengali heritage. That duality has shaped not only her identity but also the lyrical and visual world of her music. From early YouTube covers to Mercury Prize-nominated albums, her trajectory reflects steady artistic growth.
Who Is Joy Crookes? Biography and Identity
Joy Crookes at a Glance
- Full Name: Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes
- Born: 9 October 1998 (age 26)
- Nationality: British
- Ethnicity: Bengali (Bangladeshi) and Irish
- Occupation: Singer-songwriter, musician
- Genres: Neo soul, alternative R&B, indie pop
- Debut Album: Skin (2021)
- Second Album: Juniper (September 2025)
Key Insights into Her Career
- Crookes is a British artist of Bengali and Irish descent whose music often explores personal and cultural identity.
- Her second album Juniper, released in September 2025, received widespread critical acclaim for its honesty and emotional depth.
- There is no verified information about a husband or current partner; Crookes has not publicly disclosed her relationship status.
- The gap between her debut album Skin (2021) and Juniper (2025) led to online curiosity about “what happened,” but no controversy has been reported.
- She made her acting debut in the film Ish, which premiered in August 2025.
- Her musical style has drawn comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill.
- She was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop/R&B Act at the 2022 Brit Awards.
Fast Facts About Joy Crookes
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full birth name | Joy Elizabeth Akther Crookes |
| Date of birth | 9 October 1998 |
| Place of birth | Lambeth, London, England |
| Father’s background | Irish |
| Mother’s background | Bengali (from Bangladesh) |
| Upbringing | Raised in Elephant and Castle, later West London |
| Labels | Insanity Records (Sony) |
| Key early recognition | BBC Sound of 2020 (fourth place) |
| Debut album impact | Skin reached UK Top 5, nominated for Mercury Prize |
| Acting debut | Film Ish (August 2025) |
Who Are Joy Crookes’ Parents and What Is Her Ethnicity?
Joy Crookes is of dual Irish and Bangladeshi descent. Her father is Irish and her mother is Bengali from Bangladesh. She has spoken openly about growing up with a “dual identity,” which she considers a driving force behind her visuals and musical concepts. In interviews, she has expressed frustration with reductive questions about how her heritage influences her music, calling such queries “stupid” in a conversation with Trippin.
Her early years were spent in Elephant and Castle, a diverse area of South London, before moving to West London at age 14. The mix of sounds she absorbed at home ranged from Nick Cave and King Tubby to Kendrick Lamar and Gregory Isaacs. Her parents’ diverse musical tastes helped shape the eclectic style she would later develop.
Regarding religion, no specific information is publicly available. Crookes has not identified with any particular faith, and the sources do not confirm whether she practices a religion. Some online speculation suggests she was raised in a Muslim household, but she has never publicly addressed this.
Joy Crookes has described her mixed Bengali and Irish background as central to her identity. She actively represents “Desi” girls in her work, and her music videos often incorporate visual elements from both cultures. The singer has called simplistic questions about her heritage “stupid,” preferring that listeners focus on the art itself.
Is Joy Crookes Married? Relationship and Personal Life
There is no public record of Joy Crookes being married or having a husband. While she has written songs about romantic relationships and has discussed a past abusive relationship that inspired much of her album Juniper, she has not disclosed a current partner. Her relationship status remains private, and the available biographies contain no mention of a boyfriend or husband.
Her music, however, does offer glimpses into her emotional experiences. The album Juniper was inspired by her struggles with anxiety and a “hedonistic period” following an abusive relationship. Yet she has carefully separated her personal life from public scrutiny.
What Happened to Joy Crookes? Career Update and New Album Juniper
Crookes released her second studio album Juniper on 26 September 2025 to critical acclaim. The album marks a maturation in both sound and subject matter, addressing themes of identity, anxiety, and healing. A deluxe version followed on 31 October 2025, featuring the bonus track “Fade Your Heart,” which was also included in the soundtrack of EA Sports FC 26.
Two lead singles preceded the album: “Pass The Salt,” featuring Vince Staples (January 2025), and “Mathematics,” featuring Kano (February 2025). The latter became her first number one on the British Asian Music Chart.
Search queries about “what happened” to Crookes largely refer to the four-year gap between Skin (2021) and Juniper. During that time, she worked through personal challenges and refined her sound. No scandal or controversy has been reported.
Tour Activity
No tour dates for 2024 are documented. Her main touring activities align with the 2025 release of Juniper and the film Ish. She headlined London’s Jazz Cafe earlier in 2025, as noted by Notion.
Some sources incorrectly list Juniper as a 2024 release. All verified biographies and official channels confirm the album was released in September 2025. Likewise, there is no evidence of a 2024 tour; Crookes’ recent live activity is tied to 2025 events.
Has Joy Crookes Been in a Film? Acting and Media Appearances
Joy Crookes made her acting debut in the film Ish, which premiered in August 2025. While details of her role have not been widely publicized, the move into acting marks a significant expansion of her career. Earlier, in December 2017, she performed the song “Mother May I Sleep with Danger” on A Colour’s Show, and in 2025 she contributed “Fade Your Heart” to the EA Sports FC 26 soundtrack. Her film and soundtrack work suggests a growing presence beyond music.
Joy Crookes Career Timeline
- 2015 – Release of debut single “New Manhattan.”
- 2017 – EP Influence released.
- 2019 – EP Perception released.
- 2020 – Voted fourth place on BBC’s Sound of 2020.
- 2021 – Debut album Skin released, later nominated for the Mercury Prize.
- 2022 – Nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop/R&B Act at the Brit Awards.
- August 2025 – Acting debut in film Ish.
- September 2025 – Second album Juniper released to critical acclaim.
- October 2025 – Deluxe edition of Juniper with bonus track “Fade Your Heart.”
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born in London in 1998 to a Bengali mother and Irish father. | Her specific religious beliefs or practice. |
| Second album Juniper released in September 2025. | Current relationship status; no confirmed partner since 2023. |
| She is not married and no public record of a husband exists. | The exact reasons for the four-year gap between albums. |
| Ethnicity is Bengali-Irish (mixed race). | Details of any future film or television roles. |
| Acting debut in Ish (August 2025). | Whether she will tour in 2025 or 2026. |
What Does Joy Crookes Represent in British Music?
Joy Crookes belongs to a generation of British soul artists who openly weave multicultural identity into their work. Her music resonates with listeners who see themselves reflected in stories about navigating two cultures, mental health struggles, and personal growth. The high search volume for “ethnicity” and “religion” indicates strong public curiosity about her heritage, while queries about a “husband” reflect a common misconception about unmarried female artists. Crookes’ growing profile, from Mercury Prize nomination to film debut, positions her as an artist who defies easy labels. She stands alongside other British soul artists who are reshaping the genre.
Sources and Where to Find Verified Information
“Joy Crookes is a British singer-songwriter of Irish and Bangladeshi descent, born in Lambeth, South London.” — Wikipedia
“Her music is a blend of neo soul, alternative R&B, and indie pop, drawing comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill.” — All American Speakers
Additional reliable sources include her official website, Spotify artist profile, Instagram, iHeartRadio biography, and Notion interview. For deeper context on her heritage, Trippin’s feature provides first-person insight.
Summary: Who Is Joy Crookes in 2025?
Joy Crookes is a 26-year-old British singer-songwriter of Bengali and Irish heritage who released her critically acclaimed second album Juniper in September 2025 and made her acting debut in Ish the same year. She has not publicly shared details about her religion, relationship status, or tour plans, but her music continues to connect deeply with audiences. Explore more about UK music festivals for further context on the scene she inhabits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joy Crookes
What is Joy Crookes’ most famous song?
“When You Were Mine” and “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” are among her most streamed tracks.
Where is Joy Crookes from?
She is from South London, England, specifically Lambeth and Elephant and Castle.
How did Joy Crookes start her music career?
She began posting covers on YouTube as a teenager after attending a jazz and blues workshop.
What genre is Joy Crookes’ music?
Her music blends neo soul, alternative R&B, and indie pop with jazz influences.
Does Joy Crookes have any siblings?
Available public records do not confirm siblings; she has not publicly discussed them.
What film did Joy Crookes appear in?
She made her acting debut in the film Ish, which premiered in August 2025.
When did Joy Crookes release Juniper?
Juniper was released on 26 September 2025.
Is Joy Crookes on tour in 2025?
Specific tour dates have not been announced; her recent live activity includes a headline show at the Jazz Cafe in London.
What is Joy Crookes’ ethnicity?
She is of Bengali (Bangladeshi) and Irish descent.
Who are Joy Crookes’ parents?
Her father is Irish and her mother is Bengali from Bangladesh.
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