Conan Gray
Biography
Conan Lee Gray, born on December 5, 1998, in Lemon Grove, California, is an American singer-songwriter. His father is of Irish heritage, and his mother is Japanese. Early in his infancy, his family relocated to Hiroshima, Japan, to be with his ailing grandfather. After his grandfather's passing, the family moved back to California. His parents divorced when he was three years old. Gray's childhood was marked by frequent moves due to his father's military career, with the family relocating nine times. He eventually settled in Georgetown, Texas, for his teenage years, a period that heavily influenced his music and art. After high school, he was accepted to UCLA and moved to Los Angeles in 2017.
Career Beginnings on YouTube
In 2013, at the age of 15, Gray started his YouTube channel, initially posting vlogs about his daily life in small-town Texas, baking videos, and sharing his art. He soon began uploading music, including covers and original songs. His self-released debut single, "Idle Town," came out in March 2017 and quickly gained significant traction online, amassing millions of streams and views. This was followed by his second single, "Grow," in September 2017. The success of his early music on YouTube and streaming platforms led to him signing a record deal with Republic Records in 2018.
Rise to Stardom
In November 2018, Gray released his debut EP, "Sunset Season," which included "Idle Town" and other tracks like "Generation Why" and "Crush Culture." The EP performed well, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. He embarked on The Sunset Shows tour to support the EP. Throughout 2019, he released several singles, including "The King" and the precursors to his debut album: "Checkmate," "Comfort Crowd," and "Maniac." By October 2019, his music catalog had garnered over 250 million streams. That same year, he won a Shorty Award for Best YouTube Musician.
Studio Albums
Kid Krow (2020)
Gray's debut studio album, "Kid Krow," was released on March 20, 2020. The album, described as a "coming of age" record, delves into his challenging childhood experiences. It was bolstered by the successful singles "Maniac" and "Heather," debuting at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200, which made him the biggest U.S. artist debut of the year. Other singles from the album included "The Story" and "Wish You Were Sober."
Superache (2022)
His second album, "Superache," was released on June 24, 2022. The album explores themes of childhood trauma, abuse, and love. It was preceded by singles such as "Astronomy," "People Watching," and "Memories." "Superache" debuted at number nine on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was praised for its lyrical honesty and evolved style.
Found Heaven (2024)
Gray's third studio album, "Found Heaven," was released on April 5, 2024. This album saw a shift in style, incorporating 80s aesthetics and an upbeat atmosphere. Singles from the album include "Never Ending Song," "Winner," "Killing Me," and "Lonely Dancers." "Found Heaven" debuted at number 14 on the U.S. Billboard 200.