Background and career
Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born 7 November 1996), known professionally as Lorde ( LORD), is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. An influential figure in alternative pop music, she is known for her unconventional production style and introspective songwriting.
Lorde first gained recognition as a teenager during a talent show performance. After signing with Universal Music Group (UMG), she began working with producer Joel Little and released the extended play (EP) The Love Club EP (2012). Her debut single, "Royals", topped the Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy Awards, and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Her debut studio album, Pure Heroine (2013), achieved further critical acclaim and commercial success. The following year, Lorde curated the soundtrack for the 2014 film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
Lorde collaborated with producer Jack Antonoff on her next album, Melodrama (2017), which debuted atop the US Billboard 200 and has since been ranked among of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" by Rolling Stone. She explored indie folk and psychedelic styles on her third studio album, Solar Power (2021), before returning to an electronic-oriented sound for her fourth studio album, Virgin (2025).
Lorde's accolades include 20 Aotearoa Music Awards, two Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, a Taite Music Prize and a nomination for a Golden Globe Award. She appeared in Time's list of the most influential teenagers in 2013 and 2014, and the 2014 edition of Forbes 30 Under 30. In addition to her solo work, she has co-written songs for other artists, including Broods and Bleachers.
How Lorde makes money
Her debut single, "Royals", topped the Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy Awards, and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
