Originally from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, Kelly Fraser has performed countless concerts across Canada, especially in the Arctic (Nunavut/Nunavik), where she is extremely well-known.
Like many Inuit, Kelly has been through many personal struggles, ranging from substance abuse, the loss of her father and others to suicide, to name only a few. Kelly uses her pain as inspiration to make art that can positively impact other native youths. She seeks to spread her messages of joy, healing, and cultural pride through a blend of traditional Inuit music and modern production.
Her new album is influenced by contemporary pop, EDM, and hip-hop. Kelly sings and raps in both English and Inuktitut, seamlessly blending the two languages with her powerful, insightful, and politically-relevant lyrics. Her goal is to make the music speak to both Inuit and Qallunaat (“southerners”).
Besides her busy schedule as a recording and performing artist, Kelly teaches Inuktitut language lessons, does cultural and motivational speaking, teaches songwriting, and helps to organize Nunavut Hitmakerz, a project which aims to give underprivileged Nunavummiut youth opportunities to learn creative expression and technical skills. She recently completed her degree in Native Studies at NVIT in British Columbia and is currently living in Ottawa.