Deborah Fraser (June 9, 1965 – May 15, 2022) was a South African gospel singer. She began her career in 1985 as a backing singer, and recorded her own album in 2000, titled ''Abanye bayombona'', which became commercial success sold over 1 million copies in South Africa.
Fraser's tenth studio album ''Uhambo'' (2016), produced hit single "Ngeke ngiyeke ukuthandaza".
She won the first
SABC
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is the public broadcaster in South Africa, and provides 19 radio stations (Amplitude modulation, AM/Frequency modulation, FM) as well as 6 television broadcasts and 3 OTT Services to the general ...
Crown Gospel Music award in the Best Female Artist category, among other awards
SAMA for best gospel, Metro award for best gospel, and
Kora for best gospel artist.
Career
In 1984, Fraser relocated to Johannesburg and worked as the backup vocalist for
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles of ''isicathamiya'' and ''mbube (genre), mbube''. They became known internationally after singing with American Paul Simon on his 1986 album ''Grace ...
,
Lucky Dube
Lucky Philip Dube (pronounced ''duu-beh'';
luckydubemusic.com, Retrieved 19 October 2007
,
Brenda Fassie
Brenda Nokuzola Fassie (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004) was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop" or the "Madonna of The Townships." Fas ...
,
Rebecca Malope,
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and f ...
, and Jonas Gwangwa.
In the year 2000, her first studio album ''Abanye Bayombona'', was released.
Following the success of her first album she was signed by Universal Music.
In September 2008, she bagged a role as a Judges on ''Shine'' gospel show.
In April 2010, Fraser made her screen debut on drama series, ''Hola Mpinji!'' playing role of Ebony.
At the
23rd ceremony of South African Music Awards her album ''Uhambo'' was nominated for Best Traditional Faith Album.
On 12 April 2019, her studio album ''OkaJehova Akanqotshwa'' was released.
Personal life
Fraser was married to Nigerian pastor Sockey Okeke. In October 2021, Fraser was honored by the Trinity International Bible University with a
doctorate of philosophy
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research. The name of the deg ...
in the sacred space of music.
Death
She died on 15 May 2022 at the age of 56, at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, after suffering a stroke.
Discography
Studio albums
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fraser, Deborah
1965 births
2022 deaths
20th-century South African women singers
South African gospel singers
Singers from Johannesburg
People from eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
21st-century South African women singers