Fraser T. Smith
{{Short description|English record producer and musician (born 1971)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Fraser T. Smith
| image = Fraser T Smith Portrait.jpg
| caption = Smith in March 2018
| birth_name = Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith
| alias = Future Utopia
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1971|02|08}}
| birth_place = Buckinghamshire, England
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|songwriter|musician}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|bass|drums|keyboards}}
| genre = {{hlist|Grime|pop|hip hop|indie rock|progressive rock}}
| years_active = 1995–present
| label = {{hlist|70Hz|My Audiotonic}}
| associated_acts = Gorillaz
| website = {{URL|frasertsmith.com}}
}}
Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith (born 8 February 1971), known professionally as Fraser T. Smith, is an English record producer, songwriter and musician. Some of the singles he collaborated on include Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain", James Morrison's "Broken Strings", Tinchy Stryder's "Number 1" and Taio Cruz's "Break Your Heart".{{cite web |url=http://themanifesto.co/feature/2014/03/fraser-t-smith |title=— The Manifesto |publisher=Themanifesto.co |date=2014-03-26 |access-date=2014-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531123947/http://themanifesto.co/feature/2014/03/fraser-t-smith |archive-date=31 May 2014}} In 2016, Smith teamed up with Stormzy to produce his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer, which won Best Album at the 2018 Brit Awards. Earlier that year he produced seven tracks on Kano's Made in the Manor album and co-produced the debut EP from South London rapper Dave. Smith has also worked with Sam Smith.
Smith released his debut album, 12 Questions, on 30 October 2020. The record is based on a series of 12 questions all born of Smith’s own anxieties about the world, discussing issues such as faith, freedom, race, gender, wealth, equality and ecology. Smith collaborated with Dave, Kano, Ghetts, Bastille, Idris Elba and Stormzy.{{Citation|title=Stewart, Rev. Hugh Fraser, (1863–23 Jan. 1948), Emeritus Reader in French; Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; Fellow of Eton College; Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur|date=2007-12-01|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u232220|work=Who Was Who|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u232220 |access-date=2021-10-26|url-access=subscription}}
On 18 March 2021, Smith was presented with a RSL (Rockschool Ltd) Fellowship.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-18|title=RSL Honorary Fellowship: Fraser T Smith|url=https://www.rslawards.com/rsl-fellow-fraser-t-smith/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=RSL Awards|language=en-GB}} In August 2021, Dave and Smith were nominated for the Ivor Novello Awards 2021 in the Best Contemporary Song category for "Children of the Internet".{{Cite web|date=2021-08-10|title=Nominations announced for The Ivors with Apple Music 2021|url=https://ivorsacademy.com/news/nominations-announced-for-the-ivors-with-apple-music-2021/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=The Ivors Academy|language=en-GB}} Dave and Smith subsequently won. This was their third Ivor Novello win in four years. The song is performed by Future Utopia. This was producer Smith’s new project and features Dave and Es Devlin.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-21|title=Fraser T Smith, Dave & Es Devlin's 'Children Of The Internet' Wins 2021 Ivor Novello For Best Contemporary Song|url=https://grmdaily.com/ivor-novello-awards-2021-winners/|access-date=2021-10-26|first=Courtney|last=Wynter|website=GRM Daily|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Celeste, Obongjayar, Dave and Fraser T Smith win at Ivor Novello awards 2021|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/celeste-obongjayar-dave-fraser-t-smith-win-at-ivor-novello-awards-2021|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=2021-10-26|website=The Line of Best Fit|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Edmonds|first=Lizzie|date=2021-09-21|title=Harry Styles among first-time winners at Ivor Novello Awards|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/ivor-novello-awards-harry-styles-firsttime-winners-b956576.html|access-date=2021-10-26|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=The Ivors 2021: Full Winners List|url=https://headlinermagazine.net/blog/the-ivors-2021-full-winners-list.html|access-date=2021-10-26|website=headlinermagazine.net}}
Career
Smith started his career playing guitar in pubs and clubs both as a solo musician and in bands.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov09/articles/it_1109.htm |title=Secrets of the Mix Engineers: Fraser T Smith |publisher=Soundonsound.com |access-date=2014-05-30}} In 1992, Smith met Rick Wakeman with whom he toured and recorded.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/2010/March22_4_20_43.html |title=A&R, Record Label / Company, Music Publishing, Artist Manager and Music Industry Directory |publisher=Hitquarters.com |access-date=2014-05-30}} Smith then went on to work with Tony Hadley and Rick's son Adam Wakeman.{{cite web|url=http://www.explore-multimedia.co.uk/ExM001.htm |title=Explore Multimedia |publisher=Explore Multimedia |access-date=2014-05-30}} In the mid-1990s, they formed Jeronimo Road, a progressive rock band. Smith then became involved in playing guitar in studio sessions, performing on over 200 records, including Rui da Silva's number one "Touch Me" and Tim Deluxe's "It Just Won't Do".{{cite web|author=Cassandra |url=http://musicbrainz.org/release/d7afcd00-aa8a-4fbe-8d37-902384348270 |title=Release "Touch Me" by Rui da Silva feat. Cassandra |publisher=MusicBrainz |date=2001-04-02 |access-date=2014-05-30}}{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Tim-Deluxe-Featuring-Sam-Obernik-It-Just-Wont-Do/release/591329 |title=Tim Deluxe Featuring Sam Obernik - It Just Won't Do (CD) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=2014-05-30}}
In 1999, Smith was introduced to the then-unknown Craig David and spent five years working as his guitarist performing on television and radio, as well as at concerts including the John Lennon Tribute Concert at Radio City Hall in New York, the Tsunami Relief Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and Live 8, London.{{cite web|url=http://www.gforcesoftware.com/artists/interviews/fraser-smith-craig-david-plan-b |title=Fraser Smith - From Craig David to Plan B |publisher=Gforce Software |access-date=2014-05-30}} They remixed songs together under the pseudonym of Treats and have written the songs "World Filled With Love", "6 of 1 Thing", and "Hot Stuff".{{Cite web|title=Songs written by Fraser T. Smith {{!}} SecondHandSongs|url=https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/53484|access-date=2021-10-26|website=secondhandsongs.com}}
In 2011, Smith won a Grammy Award for his work with Adele.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-23|title=Fraser T. Smith|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/fraser-t-smith/10109|access-date=2021-10-26|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en}}
In 2012, Smith was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for his writing on "Broken Strings".{{cite web |last1=CMU Editorial |title=Ivor Novello noms out |url=https://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/ivor-novello-noms-out/ |website=Complete Music Update |publisher=3CM UnLimited |date=21 April 2010}} In 2015, Smith was nominated for Album of the Year in the 57th Grammy Awards for his contribution to Sam Smith's album In the Lonely Hour.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2015-the-complete-winners-list-20150208|title=Grammy Awards 2015: The Complete Winners List|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=8 February 2015 }}
Between 2013 and 2016, Smith worked with longtime collaborator Kano on his album Made in the Manor, which was subsequently shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Prize{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36962513|title=Mercury Prize 2016: David Bowie gets posthumous nomination|work=BBC News |date=4 August 2016 |access-date=5 August 2016}} and nominated for Album of the Year at the 2017 Brit Awards.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38624740|title= Brit Awards 2017: The nominations|date=14 January 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=3 February 2017}}{{cite web|url= http://www.nme.com/news/music/brit-awards-2017-full-winners-list-1986346|title= BRIT Awards 2017 full winners list|date=22 February 2017|work=NME|access-date=23 February 2017}} It went on to win Best Album at the MOBO Awards.{{cite web |title=Kano named Best Album at 2016 Mobo Awards |url=https://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-11-04/kano-named-best-album-at-2016-mobo-awards/ |website=ITV News |language=en |date=4 November 2016}}
Smith also collaborated with Mexican duo Jesse & Joy on their album Un Besito Más, which was released in December 2015. At the 17th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, the album received the nomination for Album of the Year and won for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album.{{Cite magazine|title=Here Is the Complete List of Nominees for the 2017 Grammys|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7597556/grammys-nominees-complete-list-2017|access-date=2021-10-26|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}
In 2016, Smith was approached by grime and hip hop artist Stormzy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43224339|title=Meet the man Stormzy hugged at the Brits|first=Mark|last=Savage|work=BBC News |date=1 March 2018}} They spent ten months writing and producing his debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, released independently through #Merky Records on 24 February 2017. The album was supported by the lead single "Big for Your Boots".
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith produced the Live Lounge Allstars' charity version of the Foo Fighters' "Times Like These", featuring twenty-four musicians recorded from their homes.{{Cite web |title=Fraser T Smith: How I brought 24 musicians together during lockdown for Radio 1's first Number One |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/35RvGLnlk74hX6YbhxhFDHs/fraser-t-smith-how-i-brought-24-musicians-together-during-lockdown-for-radio-1-s-first-number-one |website=BBC |access-date=2020-05-03}}
In 2018, Smith and the rapper Dave won an Ivor Novello Award for the track "Question Time".{{Cite news|date=2018-05-31|title=Ivor Novello Awards: Rapper Dave wins for political anthem Question Time|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-44318307|access-date=2021-10-26}} In 2020, they won an Ivor Novello Award for the track "Black".{{Cite news|date=2018-05-31|title=Ivor Novello Awards: Rapper Dave wins for political anthem Question Time|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-44318307|access-date=2021-10-26}}
Discography
= Studio album =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ Details ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:7em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;"| Album details |
| scope="col" style="width:0.5em;font-size:90%;" | |
|---|
| scope="row" | 12 Questions
|
|
=Selected song writing and production credits=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Artist !scope="col"|Title !scope="col"|Type !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Peak chart position |
|---|
| scope=row |2018
| Tom Grennan | Lighting Matches | Album (track "Sober") | UK #5 |
| scope=row |2018
| Calum Scott | Only Human | Album (7 tracks inc. "You are The Reason") | UK #4; US #66 |
| scope=row |2018
| Ramz | "Family Tree" | Single | UK #35 |
| scope=row |2019
| Anne-Marie | Speak Your Mind | Album (track "You Are The Reason") | UK #3; US #31 |
| scope=row |2019
| Dave feat. Fredo | "Funky Friday" | Single | UK #1 |
| scope=row |2019
| Dave | Psychodrama | Album (6 tracks) | UK #1 |
| scope=row |2019
| Tiesto, Jonas Blue & Rita Ora | "Ritual" | Single | US Hot Dance #13; UK #24 |
| scope=row |2019
| Stormzy | ''Heavy is the Head | Album (4 tracks) | UK #1 |
| scope=row |2020
| Raye | Euphoric Sad Songs | Mini-album (track "Please Don't Touch") | |
| scope=row |2020
| Live Lounge Allstars | "Times Like These" (cover) | Single ("Live Lounge Allstars charity single") |
| scope=row |2021
| Mysie | Undertones | EP | |
| scope=row |2021
| Easy Life | Life's A Beach | Album (2 tracks including "Nightmares") | UK #2 |
| scope=row |2021
| Kasabian | "Alygatyr" | Single |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" width="95%" |
| style="background:#F0E68C" width="23%"| Award show
! style="background:#F0E68C" width="4%"| Year ! style="background:#F0E68C" width="30%"| Category ! style="background:#F0E68C" width="30%"| Work ! style="background:#F0E68C" width="9%"| Result ! style="background:#F0E68C" width="4%"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| Grammy Awards
| 2012 | rowspan="2" | Album of the Year | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| {{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/fraser-t-smith/10109|title=Fraser T. Smith|website=grammy.com|publisher=The Recording Academy|access-date=10 September 2021}} |
| 2015
| In the Lonely Hour (Sam Smith) | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="3" | Ivor Novello Awards
| 2018 | Track of the Year | "Question Time" (Dave) | {{won}} |
| 2020
| Track of the Year | "Black" (Dave) | {{won}} |
| 2021
|Best Contemporary Song |"Children of the Internet" | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.frasertsmith.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Fraser T.}}
Category:English male songwriters
Category:English male guitarists
Category:English record producers
Category:English multi-instrumentalists