Kimbra is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand who was relatively unknown internationally before her feature on Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Born Kimbra Lee Johnson in Hamilton, New Zealand, she started performing as a teenager and released her early music in Australia, where Gotye was also based. Gotye discovered Kimbra’s work while looking for a female vocalist to duet with on the track. He came across her music—especially her soulful, expressive voice—and felt she was a perfect fit