Macy Gray
Macy Gray | |
---|---|
Gray performs in Memphis, April 2011 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Natalie Renee McIntyre |
Born |
Canton, Ohio, United States | September 6, 1967
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 1999–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Website |
macygray |
Macy Gray (born Natalie Renée McIntyre; September 6, 1967)[2] is an American R&B, jazz and soul singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actress, known for her distinctive raspy voice, and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday.
Gray has released six studio albums, and received five Grammy Award nominations, winning one. She has appeared in a number of films, including Training Day, Spider-Man, Scary Movie 3, Lackawanna Blues, Idlewild and For Colored Girls. Gray is best known for her international hit single "I Try", taken from her multi-platinum debut album On How Life Is.
In 2016, Gray made a large artistic leap by changing labels to record an album produced with binaural sound. Stripped (Chesky Records, 2016)[1] marked the singer's first steps into the world of audiophile recordings.
Early life and career
Macy Gray was born in Canton, Ohio,[3] to Laura McIntyre, a math teacher, and Otis Jones.[4] While studying scriptwriting at the University of Southern California,[5] she agreed to write songs for a friend, and a demo session was scheduled for the songs to be recorded by another singer. When the vocalist failed to turn up, Gray recorded them herself. She then met writer-producer Joe Solo while working as a cashier in Beverly Hills.[6] Together, they wrote a large collection of songs and recorded them in Solo's studio. The demo tape gave Gray the opportunity to sing at jazz cafés in Los Angeles.[7] Despite Gray's dislike of her own voice,[8] Atlantic Records signed her. She began recording her debut record but was dropped from the label upon the departure of A&R man Tom Carolan, who had signed her to the label.[9] Macy returned to Ohio but in 1997 Los Angeles based Zomba Publishing Senior VP A&R man Jeff Blue, convinced her to return to music and signed her to a development deal, recording new songs based on her life experiences, with a new sound, and began shopping her to record labels.[10][11] In 1998, she landed a record deal with Epic Records.[12] She was on one of the songs from the Black Eyed Peas' debut album, "Love Won't Wait".[13]
Music career
On How Life Is (1999–2001)
Gray worked on her debut album in 1999 with producer Darryl Swann.[14] Released in the summer of 1999, On How Life Is became a worldwide smash.[15] Despite the first single "Do Something" stalling on the charts, the release of the second single "I Try" made the album a success for Gray.[16] "I Try" (which was originally featured in Love Jones and the Jennifer Aniston-starring romantic-comedy Picture Perfect in 1997)[17] was one of the biggest singles of 1999,[18][19] and subsequent singles "Still" and "Why Didn't You Call Me" ensured the album became triple platinum in the US,[20] quadruple platinum in the UK,[21] and in Canada.[22]
In 2001, Gray won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "I Try", which was also nominated for "song of the year" and "record of the year".[23] She then collaborated with Fatboy Slim, the Black Eyed Peas, and Slick Rick (on the song "The World Is Yours", from the Rush Hour 2 soundtrack), as well as acting for the first time, in the thriller Training Day.[24] In August 2001, Gray was booed off the field at the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition game after forgetting the lyrics to the American national anthem.[25]
The Id and The Trouble with Being Myself (2001–2005)
Gray's The Id featured appearances by John Frusciante and Erykah Badu on the single "Sweet Baby" (which was co-written with longtime collaborator Joe Solo).[26] The album peaked at number eleven on the Billboard 200.[27] It fared even better in the UK, where it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the BPI.[28] The underperformance in the United States, compared to her debut album, may have been due to The Id being released just a week after the September 11, 2001 attacks.[29]
In 2002, she appeared in Spider-Man and contributed a remix of her song "My Nutmeg Phantasy" to its accompanying soundtrack. Gray also worked with Santana on the track "Amoré (Sexo)", for his album Shaman.[30][31]
Also in 2002, she appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD in tribute to Nigerian afropop pioneer Fela Kuti, Red Hot and Riot. She appeared on a remake track of Kuti's classic, "Water No Get Enemy" alongside prominent neo soul, hip hop and R&B artists, D'Angelo, the Soultronics, Nile Rodgers, Roy Hargrove, and Kuti's son, Femi Kuti.
She recorded a duet with Zucchero called "Like the Sun (From Out of Nowhere)", which featured Jeff Beck on guitar released in 2004 on Zu & Co., a duets collection.[32][33] Her song "Time of My Life" was included in the soundtrack to 8 Mile.[34] A cartoon based on Gray's childhood was being developed, but it never came to fruition.[14][31]
In 2003, Gray released her third studio album, The Trouble with Being Myself, to rave reviews. The lead single, "When I See You", became a radio hit in the US and a top forty hit in the UK, although the album was not as well received by fans.[35] Nevertheless, it became Gray's third top twenty album in the UK.[36][37] A greatest hits collection and a live album were subsequently released: The Very Best of Macy Gray (2004) and Live in Las Vegas (2005). Additionally, Gray was featured on Marcus Miller's 2005 album Silver Rain, on a cover of Prince's 1986 song "Girls & Boys". She also appeared on the soundtrack to the film Chicago with Queen Latifah and Lil' Kim on "Cell Block Tango/He Had it Comin'."[38]
Return to music and Big (2007–2010)
Gray began 2007 by being kicked off-stage at a concert in Barbados for profanity (which was part of the show), but she was not aware that it was against the law in that country.[39] She gave a public apology that night to avoid arrest.[40]
In March, Gray released her fourth studio album (sixth overall), titled Big.[41] Two singles, "Finally Made Me Happy" and "Shoo Be Doo", were released from the album.[40] "What I Gotta Do", another track from the album, is featured on the Shrek the Third soundtrack. It is considered Gray's comeback album, after a four-year hiatus since her last studio album.[42] The album was critically acclaimed and seen by some as her best work to date.[43] It features collaborations with Natalie Cole, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, and will.i.am, who co-executive produced the album with Gray.
The album was moderately successful in the US, where it debuted and peaked at number 39 on the Billboard 200, becoming Gray's highest-charting album since The Id.[44] Big reached number 62 on the albums chart in the UK,[45] her lowest-charting UK album,[46] but it did achieve some success in several other countries, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Finland, reaching the top forty on their album charts.[47]
PBS's Soundstage live concert series premiered a Gray concert on July 5.[48]
On July 7, 2007, Gray performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[49] Gray and her band members wore clothes bearing political messages. Gray's dress carried the message "Darfur Red Alert".
In 2008, Gray launched a new campaign under the name " Nemesis Jaxson", with the single, "Slap a Bitch".[50]
Early in 2009, Gray recorded the song "Don't Forget Me" for the soundtrack of Confessions of a Shopaholic.[51]
The Sellout (2010–2011)
The first single from Gray's fifth studio album The Sellout, "Beauty in the World", is featured in the final sequence of the series finale, "Hello Goodbye", of the ABC television series, Ugly Betty. "Beauty in the World" was also used as the theme in multiple videos created by Microsoft to promote Internet Explorer 9. Both singles released from the album ("Beauty in the World" and "Lately") were top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs Chart.
Upon its release, The Sellout received generally mixed reviews from most music critics. Metacritic gave it an average score of 57, based on 15 reviews;[52] Andy Gill of The Independent gave it three out of five stars; while AllMusic writer John Bush shared a similar sentiment and panned Gray's songwriting.[53]
However, The Boston Globe's James Reed commended its production,[54] and Jeremy Allen of NME gave the album a 7/10 rating.[55]
Covered, Talking Book, and The Way (2011–present)
In 2011, Gray signed a deal with 429 Records and started recording a series of covers for her next studio album Covered. The album was officially released on March 26, 2012. The album's first single was "Here Comes the Rain Again" (originally performed by Eurythmics).[56] On February 16, 2012, Gray participated in the Sanremo Festival as a guest, performing alongside Gigi D'Alessio and Loredana Berte.
For the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Stevie Wonder album Talking Book, Gray covered the entire record and released her Talking Book as a tribute.[57]
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey's Where Are They Now, Gray opened up about her problems with drug abuse, stating that she was ill-prepared for the level of fame she received. The interview coincided with the release of her album The Way, released in October 2014 on Kobalt Records. A world tour was announced shortly after its release.[58]
Stripped (2016)
In 2016 Gray began her career with Chesky Records. Stripped was released September 9, 2016 and garnered unanimous praise from critics. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard Jazz Chart.[1]
Other work
Gray appeared in the eighth season of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, playing for Habitat for Humanity. She finished in third place.[59]
In 2002, she was the voice for Seeiah Owens in the video game SSX Tricky.[60][61]
Gray sang the theme song for the Nickelodeon animated series As Told by Ginger, composed by Jared Faber and Emily Kapnek.[62]
In August 2008, Gray headlined at the 2008 Summer Sundae music festival in Leicester, England, performing cover versions of Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?", Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" and Radiohead's "Creep".[63] For the gig, her band wore pink Andy Warhol wigs.[64]
On September 28, 2008, Gray sang the American national anthem as part of the Israeli flag-raising ceremony at the Israeli consulate of Los Angeles.[65][66]
In 2008, Gray collaborated with Australian DJ and singer Kaz James on the song "Can't Hold Back". The single was released in early 2009 in Australia and is credited to Kaz James featuring Macy Gray.[67]
In 2009, Gray competed in season 9 of Dancing with the Stars with professional partner Jonathan Roberts. They were eliminated in a double elimination in week one.
In 2012, Gray performed the Michael Jackson song "Rock with You" for a special performance of the West End musical Thriller – Live for BBC Children in Need Pop Goes the Musical.
In 2015, Gray was featured on the song "Into the Deep" by Galactic.[68]
In 2016, Gray was featured on Ariana Grande's third studio album, Dangerous Woman on a track entitled "Leave Me Lonely".[69]
Also in 2016, Gray released Stripped,[1] her first album with Chesky Records.
Personal life
Gray opened the Macy Gray Music Academy in 2005.[70]
Discography
Studio albums
- 1999: On How Life Is
- 2001: The Id
- 2003: The Trouble with Being Myself
- 2007: Big
- 2010: The Sellout
- 2012: Covered
- 2012: Talking Book
- 2014: The Way
- 2016: Stripped
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Ally McBeal | Herself | "Hope and Glory" (season 3, episode 20) | |
2000—2001 | Saturday Night Live | Herself | "Freddie Prinze, Jr./Macy Gray" (season 25, episode 10) "Drew Barrymore/Macy Gray" (season 27, episode 3) | |
2001 | SSX Tricky | Seeiah Owens (voice) | Video game | |
2001 | Training Day | Sandman's Woman | ||
2002 | MDs | Jess | "Wing and a Prayer" (season 1, episode 7) | |
2002 | Spider-Man | Herself | Cameo | |
2003 | Scary Movie 3 | Herself | Cameo | |
2003 | Gang of Roses | Assassin | ||
2003 | When I Was a Girl | Herself | "Singers" (season 1, episode 11) | |
2004 | Around the World in 80 Days | Sleepy Frenchwoman | ||
2004 | Lightning in a Bottle | Herself | Cameo | |
2004 | American Dreams | Carla Thomas | "Real-to-Reel" (episode 12, season 2) | |
2004 | That's So Raven | Rhonda | "Taken to the Cleaners" (season 3, episode 4) | |
2004 | Blue's Clues | Herself | "Bluestock" (season 6, episode 9) | |
2005 | Lackawanna Blues | Pauline | TV movie | |
2005 | The Crow: Wicked Prayer | Carman | ||
2005 | Shadowboxer | Neisha | ||
2005 | Domino | Lashandra Davis | ||
2005 | Duck Dodgers | Diva (voice) | "Diva Delivery/Castle High" (season 2, episode 10) | |
2005 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Trixie's Grandmother/Miss Jenkinks (voice) | "Act 4, Scene 15" (season 1, episode 5) "Professor Rotwood's Thesis" (season 1, episode 8) | |
2005 | 1-800-Missing | Cleo | "A Death in the Family" (season 3, episode 13) | |
2006 | Idlewild | Taffy | ||
2007 | Macy Gray's Big Special | Herself | ||
2009 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Season 9 | |
2009 | Head Case | Herself | "The Wedding Ringer" (season 3, episode 1) | |
2010 | For Colored Girls | Rose/Lady in Pink | Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble | |
2012 | Percentage | Mama Cash | Post-production | |
2012 | The Paperboy | Anita Chester | ||
2013 | Mama Black Widow | Hattie Mae | Announced | |
2014 | The Grim Sleeper | Margette | ||
2015 | Brotherly Love | Mrs. Taylor | ||
2015 November Rule (2015 Film) Aunt Hildi (Hildiguard) | 2016 | Fuller House | Herself | "Funner House" (season 1, episode 3) |
2016 | Papa | Agent Sterling | ||
2016 | Cardboard Boxer | Den Mother |
Awards and nominations
Gray won five of seventeen nominations, including Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Brit Awards.
Awards and achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Eminem |
MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist for "I Try" 2000 |
Succeeded by Alicia Keys |
Preceded by Natalie Imbruglia |
Brit Award for International Female Solo Artist 2000 |
Succeeded by Madonna |
Preceded by Natalie Imbruglia |
Brit Award for International Breakthrough Act 2000 |
Succeeded by Kelis |
Preceded by "I Will Remember You (Live)" by Sarah McLachlan |
Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "I Try" 2001 |
Succeeded by "I'm Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado |
References
- 1 2 3 4 http://www.chesky.com/album/stripped
- ↑ Barnett, Laura (May 10, 2010). "Portrait of the artist: Macy Gray, singer". The Guardian.
Born: Canton, Ohio, 1967
; Soeder, John. "Macy Gray is philosophical about slumping sales". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 16, 2015.Ohio drivers-license records indicate she was born Sept. 6, 1967, making her 36.
- ↑ McGrath, Nick (August 4, 2012). "Macy Gray: My family values". The Guardian. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Dr. Laura Fisher McIntyre". Walsh University. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ↑ Diu, Nisha Lilia (May 30, 2010). "Macy Gray interview: 'I was a clown'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Newsroom " Archive " Joe Solo Hits it "Big" with Macy Gray and Stylus RMX". Spectrasonics. January 4, 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
- ↑ "Joe Solo, President – Head Producer, Solo Productions, Inc.: Zoom Information Business Directory at". Zoominfo.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "" + artTitle.replace("-","") + " – " + "The Heights" + " – " + "Arts & Review" + "". Bcheights.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Doug Minnick (August 2003). "Tom Carolan Vice President of A&R, Lava Records". Taxi Transmitter. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ↑ Louisa Kamps (July 26, 1999). "Macy's Parade". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ↑ "Macy Gray". Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ↑ Dougherty, Steve (March 12, 2001). "Shades of Gray – Macy Gray". People.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Black Eyed Peas – guest program". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- 1 2 Cromelin, Richard; Nichols, Natalie; Baker, Soren (March 25, 2007). "Odd charm works only so long for Macy Gray". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ↑ Usborne, David (March 4, 2000). "Macy Gray: The new voice of soul". The Independent. London. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ↑ "Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself – PopMatters Music Review". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Top Songs of 1999 – US Singles Charts". Alaskajim.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "USA Top Singles For 1999". Allcharts.org. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Walsh, Ben (April 4, 2007). "First Night: Macy Gray, Koko, London". The Independent. London. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ↑ Archived February 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "The Trouble With Macy Gray – Blogcritics Music". Blogcritics.org. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "CNN.com International". CNN. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008.
- ↑ Moss, Corey (July 18, 2001). "Macy Gray, Ludacris, LL Cool J On 'Rush Hour 2' Soundtrack – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Macy Gray Is Booed During Anthem". The Washington Post. Associated Press. August 7, 2001. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
- ↑ Teri vanHorn (July 20, 2001). "Macy Gray Lets It All Hang Out on the Id – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Macy Gray News – Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Price, Simon (August 27, 2001). "Macy Gray : Old Vic". The Independent. London. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ↑ Archived July 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Teri vanHorn and Tina Johnson (March 13, 2001). "Macy Gray Plans The Id LP, 'Spider-Man' Role – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- 1 2 "Macy Gray on Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "PopMatters Music Interview | Unito Nella Diversitŕ: A Chat with Zucchero". Popmatters.com. September 6, 2005. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Zucchero Like The Sun (From Out of Nowhere) lyrics on Yahoo! Music". Ca.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ ""Time of My Life" on 8 Mile (album, cd) by Macy Gray (artist) – Music, Playlists, Songs, and Lyrics". nuTsie.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Roslyn on 2 August 2007 8:36 pm (February 5, 2007). "MACY GRAY: Back Into the Swing of Things – Entertainment Newswire". Black Voices. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself – Review". Uncut.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Music – Review of Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself". BBC. May 6, 2003. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Lil' Kim News – Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. December 12, 2002. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Macy Gray almost arrested for swearing | News". Nme.Com. January 15, 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- 1 2 "Macy Gray and Mixed Chicks go "BIG" – Macy Gray, Music, Mixed Chicks". Free-press-release.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "New Album Releases, 3-27-2007: Macy Gray, Ego Plum, Tim McGraw, Warren Zevon re-issues – Blogcritics Music". Blogcritics.org. July 2, 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Price, Simon (April 8, 2007). "Macy Gray, Koko, London Mutya Buena, Borderline London, A haircut does not a comeback make". The Independent. London. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ↑ Mesure, Susie (September 2, 2007). "Why Macy Gray is big over here". The Independent. London. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ↑ "McGraw Leads Seven Top 10 Debuts Onto Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Macy Gray – Big – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Macy Gray – Winter Wonderland". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Soundstage . Macy Gray". PBS. July 5, 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Live Earth Artist: Macy Gray". Live Earth. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
- ↑ "Music Video News: WATCH IT: Macy Gray "Slap A Bitch"". Video Static. December 12, 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Confessions of a Shopaholic: Original Soundtrack: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ The Sellout (2010): Reviews Archived June 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2010-07-01.
- ↑ Bush, John. "Review: The Sellout". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ↑ Reed, James. Review: The Sellout Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2010-07-01.
- ↑ Allen, Jeremy. Review: The Sellout Archived April 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.. NME. Retrieved on 2010-07-01.
- ↑ "Macy Gray". 429 Records. March 9, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
- ↑ Macy Gray's album-length cover of Stevie Wonder Archived March 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine., The New Yorker October 29, 2012
- ↑ "Macy Gray on Her Drug Use And Reaction To Fame: 'I Was A Massive A**hole' (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ↑ "Celebrity Poker Showdown – Online Poker Tournament – Feature – Bravo TV Official Site". Bravotv.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Ahmed, Shahed (December 10, 2001). "Celebrities lend their voices to SSX Tricky – Xbox News at GameSpot". Gamespot.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Electronic Arts – 2001 – SSX Tricky Games Review". CultureCartel.com. November 22, 2002. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "As Told By Ginger (Theme Song)". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Summer Sundae Weekender". Summersundae.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Air Now: 18:00 – 20:00. "6 Music – Matt's Blog Day 1". BBC. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Bloomekatz, Ari B. Consulate in Los Angeles raises Israeli flag Archived November 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.. Los Angeles Times. September 29, 2008.
- ↑ Tugend, Tom. Israeli flag flies at consulate for first time. The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. September 29, 2008.
- ↑ "Kaz James" Archived March 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. KazJames.com. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
- ↑ "Into the Deep". Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ↑ "Macy Gray Opens Her Own Music School". Contact Music.com. October 20, 2005. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Macy Gray. |
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Macy Gray |