Kelly Fraser death: Inuk singer who covered Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ dies aged 26
Fraser was ‘extremely passionate about trying to improve conditions for Inuit people’, her producer said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kelly Fraser, the Canadian pop artist who gained worldwide attention for her Inuit-language cover of “Diamonds” by Rihanna, has died aged 26.
Fraser was known for her advocacy efforts for her indigenous culture, and wrote or translated songs into the Inuit language of Inukitut with the aim of using pop music to raise awareness of it.
Her friend and producer Thor Simonsen said he was told of Fraser’s death the day after Christmas by her family. The family declined to release details, including the cause of her death.
She grew up in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, Canada, and was living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Her debut album Isuma was released in 2014, and a follow-up, Sedna, was released three years later. Sedna was nominated for indigenous music album of the year at Canada’s Juno music awards.
In a 2017 statement that accompanied the release of Sedna, Fraser said the album’s goal was to heal those suffering from the results of colonisation, including the “damaging effects of residential school and forced relocation”.
Fraser was “extremely passionate about trying to improve conditions for Inuit people” and wanted to help young people understand the history that contributed to their difficulties, Simonsen said.
“There is a great need for Inuit artists to directly speak to those affected from the past.”
At the time of her death, Fraser had been working on a third album, titled Decolonize.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments