Brooke Gabrielle Ligertwood, formerly known as Brooke Fraser, was born on 15 December 1983 in New Zealand. She has gained recognition as a prominent singer and songwriter, with one of her notable achievements being the success of her hit track “Something in the Water,” released in 2010. Brooke Fraser’s musical journey includes the release of two studio albums, “What to Do with Daylight” (2003) and “Albertine” (2006), under the banner of Columbia Records.
Later, she inked a recording agreement with Wood + Bone.
In 2010, Fraser unveiled her third studio album, titled “Flags,” which has emerged as her most accomplished work to date. Another noteworthy addition to her discography is the album “Brutal Romantic,” launched in November 2014 under Vagrant Records. Notably, she also introduced her debut live album named “Seven” in 2022.
During her artistic path, Fraser’s involvement with the Australian Christian music ensemble Hillsong Worship is worth mentioning. She was an integral part of the group from 2005 to 2010 and, after a hiatus, rejoined in 2016. Fraser’s role encompassed songwriting and being the lead vocalist for the Grammy-winning composition “What a Beautiful Name,” attributed to her married name Brooke Ligertwood.
Her repertoire includes several well-received compositions, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with Hillsong Worship. Notable among these are tracks like “Hosanna,” “Lead Me To The Cross,” “Better,” “Who You Say I Am,” “King of Kings,” and “Awake My Soul.”
In her earlier years, Fraser, as the eldest child of former All Black Bernie Fraser and Lynda, grew up with a strong sporting heritage. Bernie Fraser, hailing from Lautoka, Fiji, boasts a lineage of Fijian, Portuguese, and Scottish origins. Brooke Fraser’s upbringing unfolded in Naenae, Lower Hutt, where she attended Dyer Street School, Naenae Intermediate School, and Naenae College.
The foundations of Fraser’s musical prowess were laid during her childhood, as she undertook piano lessons from the age of seven to seventeen. Songwriting became a part of her life at the tender age of twelve, and she self-taught herself to play the acoustic guitar by the time she turned fifteen.
Her creative journey progressed when she began contributing to Soul Purpose magazine at the age of fifteen, eventually assuming the role of its editor in 2002. Upon relocating to Auckland later that year, Fraser made the decision to shift her focus entirely to her music career, leading her to step down as editor.
Notably, Fraser’s musical potential garnered significant industry interest, resulting in a multi-album contract with Sony Music when she was just 18 years old. This agreement was secured after a competitive bidding process among different record labels.