Who is Myles Smith? Winner of TikTok’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year

MYLES Smith's music career progressed from posting covers online to becoming a platinum-selling artist in just a couple of years.

In December 2024, the singer-songwriter from Luton was crowned Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the inaugural TikTok Awards.

Who is Myles Smith?

Myles Smith is a 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Luton who has rapidly risen to prominence in the UK music scene.

Starting from humble beginnings of posting acoustic covers online, he has developed a unique musical identity that resonates with a wide audience.

His journey represents a modern path to musical success, leveraging  social media platforms to showcase his talent and connect with audiences.

Myles' story is a testament to the changing landscape of music discovery and the power of digital platforms in launching musical careers.

Musical journey

Myles' musical roots trace back to his childhood, when he began performing at open mic events and pubs when he was just 12 years old.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, he started sharing cover songs online, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his career.

In 2022, he gained widespread attention with his acoustic rendition of The Neighbourhood's song Sweater Weather, which was initially released a decade earlier in December 2012.

Stargazing

His breakthrough hit Stargazing peaked at number four on the Official UK Charts, marking a significant milestone in his musical journey.

Released in May 2024, the platinum-selling single has also had over 240k creations on TikTok.

Speaking about the process of writing Stargazing, Myles told : "It was something that was birthed out of being with the people that I loved in a space that I loved.

"I was out in Malibu in LA, my first time ever there, and distinctly different from where I grew up.

"I was with songwriter Jesse Fink and a songwriter-producer Peter Fenn, who I’ve collaborated with before.

"I just signed with my label [RCA Records], and I was like: 'I want to write something that’s really warm, fun and happy.' I came up with the hook pretty instantaneously.

"It was just us jumping around, about day five into writing — looking at each other with guitars and having the time of our lives.

"It came from the idea of the people that you love, the things that you love, always being present in your life, maybe in a way you don’t recognise or see."

Myles remarkable achievements in his carer so far include:

• Making the shortlist for the BBC’s 2025's Brit Rising Star Award
• Performing at Glastonbury
• Hosting a virtual concert in Fortnite
• Making it onto former US President Barack Obama's summer playlist

TikTok's Breakthrough Artist of the Year

On December 3, 2024, Myles was crowned Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the inaugural TikTok Awards, further cementing his status as a rising star in the music industry.

He said: “Thank you for this award, I appreciate it!

"This goes to show that TikTok has given us the ability to share our music with the world and put British music back on a pedestal.”