Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born November 7, 1996) was born in Takapuna, Auckland. She is a renowned New Zealand singer and songwriter. She is professionally known as Lorde. Her artistic name, inspired by aristocracy, reflects her unconventional musical style and introspective songwriting.
From a young age, Lorde expressed a keen interest in performing at local venues, and in 2009, she signed with Universal Music Group (UMG). She collaborated with producer Joel Little in 2011, and together they began recording music. The Love Club, their first extended play (EP), was self-released in 2012 and was available for free download on SoundCloud before UMG released it commercially in 2013. One of the singles from the EP, "Royals," became a chart-topping hit and quickly raised Lorde to prominence.
The same year, Lorde released her debut studio album, Pure Heroine, which was a commercial and critical success. The album featured introspective and mature themes that resonated with listeners, and Lorde's unique musical style set her apart from other artists.
In 2014, Lorde curated the soundtrack for the film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, and she recorded several tracks for it, including the single "Yellow Flicker Beat." The same year, she appeared on Time's list of the most influential teenagers, and Forbes' 30 Under 30.
Lorde's second studio album, Melodrama, was released in 2017, and it received widespread critical acclaim. The album topped the US Billboard 200 chart and solidified her status as a successful and unique artist.
In 2021, Lorde released her third studio album, Solar Power. This album ventured into indie folk and psychedelic styles, and although it polarized music critics and fans alike, it reached number one in Australia and New Zealand and charted inside the top-10 in numerous countries.
Throughout her career, Lorde has received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, and a Golden Globe nomination. She has also co-written songs for other artists, such as Broods and Bleachers. As of June 2017, Lorde has sold over five million albums worldwide, cementing her position as one of the most successful and unique artists of her generation.
