Biography
Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, known as Lorde, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter born on November 7, 1996, in Auckland to a Croatian mother. She went to Vauxhall School, Belmont Intermediate School, and Takapuna Grammar School before starting her music career. Lorde first caught attention with her talent show performances and signed with Universal Music Group in 2009 at just thirteen. Her 2011 collaboration with producer Joel Little helped shape her unique sound. In 2012, she self-released The Love Club EP on SoundCloud, which introduced her to the music scene and featured "Royals," her breakthrough single. This track saw remarkable success, topping charts around the world and spending nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. With over 10 million copies sold worldwide, "Royals" became one of the best-selling singles ever. Her debut album Pure Heroine came out in 2013, receiving both praise from critics and commercial success. The album made her known for her introspective songwriting and different approach to pop music. In 2014, she curated the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. Her second album, Melodrama, released in 2017 with producer Jack Antonoff, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was later included in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The album showed her growth as an artist while keeping the deep lyricism that marked her earlier work. Solar Power, released in 2021, had her trying out indie folk and psychedelic music styles, leading to mixed reviews from critics and the public. Her fourth album, Virgin, planned for 2025, marks a return to electronic-based pop music in collaboration with musician Jim-E Stack and has been positively received by critics.
Before Fame
Growing up in Auckland, Lorde nurtured her musical interests during her school years at Vauxhall School and later at Belmont Intermediate School and Takapuna Grammar School. Her mother’s Croatian heritage added to her multicultural background, and early exposure to different musical styles shaped her artistic growth. As a teenager, she took part in talent shows, which caught the attention of the music industry and led to her signing with Universal Music Group at just thirteen. Her collaboration with producer Joel Little, starting when she was fifteen, played a key role in developing the sound that would go on to gain worldwide recognition.
Key Achievements
- Won 20 Aotearoa Music Awards including Best Solo Artist
- Achieved two Grammy Awards for her musical contributions
- "Royals" spent nine weeks at number one on Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 10 million copies worldwide
- Melodrama album featured in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time"
- Received nomination for Golden Globe Award and won Taite Music Prize
Did You Know?
- 01.She was included in Billboard's 21 Under 21 list in 2014, recognizing her as one of the most influential young artists
- 02.Her stage name 'Lorde' was inspired by her fascination with aristocracy and royalty, which also influenced her hit single 'Royals'
- 03.She has co-written songs for other artists including New Zealand duo Broods and American band Bleachers
- 04.She appeared on Time magazine's list of most influential teenagers in both 2013 and 2014
- 05.Her song 'Royals' was written when she was just 15 years old and recorded in a makeshift studio
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aotearoa Music Award for Best Solo Artist | — | — |
| Billboard 21 Under 21 | 2014 | — |