Deborah Fraser speaks out about feeling 'unappreciated'

12 May 2017 - 14:18 By TshisaLIVE
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Deborah Fraser
Deborah Fraser
Image: Deborah Fraser via Instagram

After 32 years in the industry award-winning gospel star Deborah Fraser has revealed that she sometimes feels "unappreciated."

In an interview with Sowetan, Deborah explained that she felt like she didn't always get recognition for composing her own songs.

"I am not one to sing choruses. Of course I have at least two of them on each album, but I am one of those artists who composes her own music. I sit down, write and compose all the songs on my album," she explained.

However, despite the dedication and passion, Deborah felt that she didn't get much attention.

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"Sometimes I do feel like I never get recognised for this in the industry. It is OK for other artists to have albums and focus entirely on choruses because we are all praising God, but sometimes others get more attention," she added.

This is not the first time that the gospel star who has sold thousands of albums over the years has spoken out about 'feeling neglected' by the industry.

During a telling interview with Move! magazine two years ago, Deborah labelled the industry "dirty" for neglecting her.

"I don't know what changed but it still affects me. I still do great things in the industry. I'm still the same Deborah, but nobody really wants to involve me in what they do," she said at the time.

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Veterans feeling neglected isn't a problem only in the gospel industry. Earlier this year actress Lillian Dube cast the spotlight on the issue in the wake of  Joe Mafela's death in March.

"We (Lillian and Joe) spoke about the industry and how we were being marginalised and not being given enough respect for what we've done. We need to be honoured while we are still alive not forgotten," she said at the time.

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