Little Simz: Is she in Top Boy and who is her character?

Music isn’t the only area the rapper excels in (Pictures: JMEnternational / Getty Images / Netflix)

Little Simz has continued an impressive 2022 by scooping the 2022 Mercury Prize best British album of the year with Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

Accepting her prize onstage, Little Simz said she was ‘very overwhelmed and grateful’ to receive the accolade.

‘To my family over here, my loved ones right here, I want to say a huge thank you to the Mercury for this incredible prize,’ she said as she received the award.

‘I want to say thank you to my brother and close collaborator Inflo… he’s known me since I was so young, he’s stuck by me, we created this album together.

‘There was times in the studio when I didn’t know if I was going to finish this record, I was feeling all the emotions and really going through it. He stuck by me and pushed me to deliver this album for you guys.’

The rapper beat fellow nominees Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Harry Styles, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, Joy Crookes, Kojey Radical, Nova Twins, Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Wet Leg, and Yard Act to the gong.

The rapper beat stiff competition for the coveted award (Picture: JMEnternational / Getty Images)

As well as a successful music career, Simz has also dipped her toes into acting after making her debut in BBC children’s series Spirit Warriors in 2010.

One of her most notable roles is in the hit gangster drama Top Boy, but who does she play in the series? Here’s what you need to know:

Who does Little Simz play in Top Boy?

Little Simz, real name Simbiatu Abisola Abiola, has played Shelley in the hit drama since series three.

She first enters the show as the carer of Dushane’s (Ashley Walters) mother Pat (Marsha Millar) before she begins a relationship with the gangster who becomes a father figure to her daughter Tish (Nifemi Shennowo).

Shelley is the best friend of Lauryn (Saffron Hocking), Jaq’s (Jasmine Jobson) sister, who works alongside Dushane.

As of series four she is also the owner of her own beauty salon.

Simz revealed that rapper Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson, who plays Sully on the show, was integral in her securing a role on the show.

‘The link came from Kano. They were gearing up for this season and I guess he put in a good word for me,’ she told The Guardian.

‘I had three auditions. The first time I walked out thinking “Ah I don’t think it’s mine” but then I got a recall.

She added that she was a huge fan of the original Channel 4 series, saying: ‘I was at school when it first came out and that’s what everyone was talking about – the fact that we finally had a TV show that represented us.’

Top Boy is available to stream on Netflix.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : ‘Overwhelmed and grateful’ Little Simz wins Mercury Prize 2022 with Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

MORE : What UK music festivals are cheaper than Glastonbury 2023?

She’s taking over the entertainment industry.