Patti Smith is an influential American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and poet who became a prominent figure of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses. Often called the "punk poet laureate," she fused rock and poetry in her work, creating a unique and powerful artistic voice. Beyond her music, Smith is an accomplished writer and visual artist, earning the National Book Award for her 2010 memoir Just Kids. Her enduring career is marked by a commitment to artistic integrity, political activism, and a profound spiritual and intellectual curiosity.