Macy Gray
The ability to compose refreshingly honest music that deeply touches listeners is a rarity in the music world. Only a few artists possess this talent – but R&B/Soul singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Macy Gray certainly does. With her vibrant voice, unwavering sense of soul, and funky spirit, Gray knows how to harness the power of music – and that’s exactly what sets her apart from her contemporaries.
Originally from Canton, Ohio, Gray moved to Los Angeles to study screenwriting at USC. While in school, she began writing songs for her friends and found her own voice when the singer meant to record the demos didn’t show up. On that fateful day, a legendary career was born.
Gray achieved her breakthrough in 1999 with the release of her triple platinum debut album On How Life Is. Since then, she has become a prominent figure in the R&B and soul scene. She has built a loyal fan base worldwide and has sold over 25 million albums in total. As a five-time GRAMMY® nominee, Gray won the GRAMMY® Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance in 2000 for her iconic song “I Try” and was also honored with two BRIT Awards.
Today, more than two decades after the start of her impressive career, the versatile and matured artist has collaborated with outstanding musicians such as Bobby Brown, Ariana Grande, and Galactic – just to name a few. Even live, she remains a force of nature and fills concert halls in nearly every corner of the world. Her talents also extend far beyond music. She appeared in Tyler Perry's Black Reel Award-winning film For Colored Girls and has been featured in the series Brotherly Love, the film Cardboard Boxer, and the hit NETFLIX series Fuller House. Additionally, she delivered a now-legendary performance in Training Day alongside Oscar®-winner Denzel Washington – one of many milestones in her acting career.
Gray continues to pursue ambitious goals and made a stunning return to the music scene in 2024 with her newly released single “I AM” – a duet with BIG FREEDIA. With this powerful song, the two make a clear musical statement again and create an inclusive, positive anthem for eternity. In the tradition of bounce music, this bass-heavy, dance-inducing track gets people off their seats and onto the dance floor to shake “what the good Lord gave them.” The positive message permeates the soul and becomes the personal mantra: “I AM WHO I AM.” It reminds everyone who hears it that they are enough and should be proud of themselves. “Imagine a world where you can be. Be who you are and let me be me. I’m telling everybody. I am who I am.”
In 2023, Gray released the album The Reset with her band The California Jet Club. With this, she aimed to further stimulate the discussion about developments in today’s world while also helping to redefine what pop music should be – without sacrificing great music, good vibes, and a strong message. About the album's first single, “Thinking of You,” Gray says: “It’s a song about resilience and was heavily inspired by what we as a nation have learned over the past twelve months during the pandemic. The song encompasses my insights into the power of human connection and self-love and celebrates the unyielding spirit and courage we have shown as a country in the fight against the virus.”
The album is titled The Reset because Macy – like so many of us – feels that this awkward and often painful time is precisely that: a restart. “God tells us to rethink the things we do … how we live. Like Pandora’s box, many things have come to light that people had stopped paying attention to. The world is experiencing a reset. Whether it is a good or bad one remains to be seen. I used to believe that everything happens for a reason. Today … I just don't know anymore.”
One of the most impressive new songs is “America.” Like many of Macy's songs, this lyric came together spontaneously at the microphone, inspired by her band’s music. “I just remember feeling really let down by my country. I don’t know if I ever felt that way before … walking around telling everyone: ‘I live in the greatest country in the world’ – and then suddenly the thought: ‘Maybe I don’t.’
Having a president who was so negative and divisive, and that it was completely okay with so many people. Neighbors suddenly showed what they really stood for. I know America has its flaws and we have a long way to go. But I can’t remember ever feeling so disappointed. I only found the words when I was at the microphone and my drummer was playing that beat. I started singing, then Billy and Alex worked on it further. The song was written pretty quickly.”
For their cover version, the band chose the sensitive topic “Cop Killer” – a controversial heavy metal song from the time when rap star Ice-T decided to make music with his band Body Count. Macy was there at the time. That was in 1992. Through today’s Black Lives Matter movement, the song is still shockingly relevant 30 years later.
The theme of escapism runs through two central songs on The Reset. The more reflective of the two is “Alien,” which poses the intergalactic question: “Where can you go to just live?” Macy explains: “Sometimes I feel like we’ve all been led to work our entire lives – well into our 60s, just to meet our obligations! I then wonder: ‘Was that really the big plan?’ If so – why can’t I just ride off into the sunset without all that?”
For those who don’t have Jeff Bezos’ wealth to travel to space, The California Jet Club offers the next best refuge with “Disco Song” – all in retro style: the club. Macy shares: “2 Chainz posted a clip on Instagram of a girl playing classical piano music while twerking. That was Jhonni Blaze (known from the TV show Love and Hip Hop). I shared the video, tagged her, and she wrote to me directly: ‘Oh my God, I would love to meet you someday!’ I wanted to meet her too, so she came from Atlanta to California. I had this song ‘Disco,’ whose music I liked, but I found my lyrics awful! So I asked her: ‘Do you hear anything for this?’ She completely saved me from sounding like an old person on my own song! Tommy then developed the recurring hook (“All I need is / A little bit of bump and grind / Do me ’til I’m satisfied / F’ around and do a line”). I then wrote the verses and the chorus.”
Another song with a special character is the second single “Undone,” a heavenly pop-blues ballad in the style of Shirley Bassey. It was written for Macy by producer Tommy Parker (a.k.a. Thomas Lumpkins) and his niece Nakiesha Marie Pick. “He had never produced with a live band before, so we all learned something together,” Macy says. “Tommy’s mainstream sound (Ariana Grande) mixed with what we do worked out really well. He had already prepared the song completely at home. I then went into the studio alone and recorded the vocals. I thought strings were missing, but it was already too late – 11 PM – to invite musicians. So I called my friends Maiya Sykes and Whitey and asked them if they could sound like strings. They ended up doing the big operatic background vocals.”
The highlight of “Undone” is the music video (premiere at the trendy Soho House in West Hollywood) featuring drag performer Frankie J. Grande in the leading role. Macy explains: “The video actually came about somewhat by chance. I was supposed to be in Australia at that time to participate in ‘The Masked Singer.’ I had been following Frankie on Instagram. During the pandemic, he made this series where he got out of the bathtub and sang songs. He wore makeup and was shirtless – very quirky theater. I thought: ‘What if Frankie undresses in the bathroom (laughs) and sings?’ Director Guido brought in the choreography and lighting design. We were also able to work with T. David Binns, who I studied with at USC. His editing is incredible and makes the video what it is.”
Before the release of “Thinking of You,” Gray released her tenth studio album RUBY [Artistry Music/Mack Avenue], marking another creative highlight in her career. Inspired by the raw R&B and smoky jazz that are particularly dear to her, Gray looked back at her musical roots while also taking a step forward. Together with producers Johan Carlsson (Michael Bublé, Maroon 5), Tommy Brown (Jennifer Lopez, Fifth Harmony, Travis Scott), and Tommy Parker Lumpkins (Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber), she combined these influences with new, multilayered, and mysterious soundscapes.
Macy Gray – celebrated musician, actress, activist, and strong personality – has never hesitated to speak out about what needs to be said and to follow her words with action. The musical oeuvre she has created throughout her career showcases her extraordinary vision and uncompromising dedication to her art. Her elegant, sensual, and mature approach to R&B draws from decades of musical history. At the same time, her ability to still sound modern, innovative, and fresh is why she remains a distinctive anomaly in music – an artist appreciated by millions around the world.
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
