Fraser T Smith

Early life and education

Fraser grew up in Marlow, Buckinghamshire and received education in Marlow and Reading having attended Reading Blue Coat School and Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. After leaving school, Smith attended Woolwich Polytechnic for a year before leaving the faculty having won a scholarship to study at the West London Institute.

Having spent a year at the West London Institute studying music, Smith started his career playing guitar in pubs and clubs both as a solo musician and in bands. In 1992, Smith met Rick Wakeman with whom he toured and recorded. Smith then went on to work with Tony Hadley. He also worked extensively with Adam Wakeman. 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 hits such as Rui Da Silva's number one "Touch Me" and Tim Deluxe's "It Just Won’t Do".

Career

In 1999, Smith was introduced to the then-unknown Craig David and spent the next five years working as his guitarist performing on television and radio around the world, 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. By working with Craig David, Smith was able to develop his production skills, remixing and songwriting. They remixed songs together under the pseudonym of Treats and have written songs such as “World Filled With Love”, “6 Of 1 Thing” and “Hot Stuff”. Smith decided to stop touring and performing and went on to focus on songwriting and production full-time.

In 2012, Smith won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year with Adele for 21 having produced, co-written and mixed "Set Fire to the Rain". He was also nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for his writing on "Broken Strings". In 2015, Smith was also nominated for Album of the Year in the 57th Grammy Awards for his contribution to Sam Smith's album, In the Lonely Hour.

Between 2013-2016, Smith worked with long time collaborator Kano on his critically acclaimed album, "Made In The Manor". The record was subsequently shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Music Prize and nominated for Album Of The Year at the Brit Awards 2017. It went on to win best album at the MOBOS.

At this time, Smith also collaborated with Mexican duo Jesse & Joy on their huge award-winning album, "Un Besito Mas" 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. The single "Ecos De Amor" was nominated for Song Of The Year and Record Of the Year. Un Besito Mas also won a Grammy award for Best Latin Pop Album and a Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Album Of The Year.

In 2016, Smith teamed up with Dave and went on to write and produce his EP Six Paths, along with 169. The single 'Wanna Know' was subsequently picked up and remixed by Canadian artist, Drake.

The same year, Smith was approached by grime and hip hop artist Michael Omari, better known as Stormzy. 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 lead single"Big For Your Boots". Gang Signs & Prayer has received critical acclaim on release and has been publicly supported by fellow artists Ed Sheeran, Adele and Niall Horan.

Smith has most recently been working with Calum Scott, Gorillaz, Anne-Marie, Ray Blk, Jon Bellion, Dave (rapper) and Jorja Smith