Macy Gray

Biography

Macy Gray, born Natalie Renée McIntyre on September 6, 1967, in Canton, Ohio, is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress renowned for her distinctive raspy voice. As a child, she was shy and was often teased for her unique voice, but she also learned to play classical piano and developed a passion for writing. After high school, she attended the University of Southern California to study screenwriting.

Career Beginnings

While at USC, Gray began singing for a friend's jazz band, which sparked her career in music. She started performing at various clubs and cafes in Los Angeles. In 1994, she signed with Atlantic Records but her debut album was never released, and she was dropped from the label. After a brief return to Ohio, a producer convinced her to come back to Los Angeles, and she eventually signed with Epic Records in 1998.

Breakthrough with "On How Life Is"

Gray's debut album, "On How Life Is," was released in 1999. The album's second single, "I Try," became an international smash hit, propelling the album to multi-platinum status. The song earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001 and was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The album sold over seven million copies worldwide.

Subsequent Career and Other Ventures

Following her initial success, Gray released several more studio albums, including "The Id" (2001), "The Trouble with Being Myself" (2003), and "Big" (2007). She has released ten studio albums to date. Throughout her career, she has sold over 25 million records globally. Gray has also ventured into acting, with roles in films such as "Training Day," "Spider-Man," "Scary Movie 3," and "For Colored Girls."

Recent Years

In recent years, Macy Gray has continued to tour and release new music. In 2023, she released the album "The Reset". She has also participated in several seasons of "The Masked Singer" in different countries. In 2025, Gray is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut album "On How Life Is" with a tour across Europe and the United States.