Macy Gray | |
|---|---|
 Gray in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Natalie Renée McIntyre (1967-09-06)September 6, 1967 (age 58) Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | University of Southern California (BA) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Works | Macy Gray discography |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Labels | |
Natalie Renée McIntyre (born September 6, 1967),[2] known professionally asMacy Gray, is an AmericanR&B andsoul singer. She is known for her distinctive raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced byBillie Holiday.[3] Her 1999 single, "I Try", was her commercial breakthrough; the song peaked at number five on theBillboard Hot 100, wonBest Female Pop Vocal Performance at the43rd Annual Grammy Awards, and preceded her debut studio album,On How Life Is (1999). Since then, she has released ten studio albums.
Gray has won aGrammy Award from five nominations, and sold over 25 million records worldwide by 2018. She has appeared in several films, includingTraining Day,Spider-Man,Scary Movie 3,Lackawanna Blues,Idlewild,For Colored Girls, andThe Paperboy.[4][5] She was inducted into theNational Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2014 in her hometown ofCanton, Ohio.
Natalie McIntyre was born inCanton, Ohio,[6][7] the daughter of Laura McIntyre, a math schoolteacher,[8] and Otis Jones.[9] Her stepfather was a steelworker, and her sister is a biology teacher.[9] She has a younger brother, Nate, who owns a gym inWest Philadelphia and was featured on the season five finale ofQueer Eye.[10] She began piano lessons at age seven.[11] A childhood bicycle mishap resulted in her noticing a mailbox of a man named Macy Gray; she used the name in stories she wrote and later decided to use it as her stage name. She was late developing and did not learn to hold conversation until just before her tenth birthday.[9]
Gray attended elementary school with Brian Warner (later known as musicianMarilyn Manson) although they did not know each other.[11][12] She attended more than one high school, including a boarding school which asked her to leave due to her behavior.[11]
She attended theUniversity of Southern California and studied scriptwriting.[4][9]
While attending theUniversity of Southern California, she agreed to write songs for a friend.[13] A demo session was scheduled for the songs to be recorded by another singer, but the vocalist failed to appear, so Gray recorded them herself.
I started forming bands and writing songs just for fun and then I really got into it and got attached to it. Then a friend of mine asked me to be a singer in his jazz band. He gave me all these jazz CDs and I studied all these different singers and I kind of taught myself how to sing for a gig, but I didn't take it seriously until later.[11]
She then met writer-producer Joe Solo while working as a cashier inBeverly Hills.[14] Together, they wrote a 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.[13] Although Gray did not consider her unusual voice desirable for singing,[11]Atlantic Records signed her. She began recording her debut record but was dropped from the label upon the departure ofA&R manTom Carolan, who had signed her to the label.[15] Macy returned to Ohio but in 1997Los Angeles basedZomba Label Group Senior VP A&R manJeff 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.[16][17] In 1998, she landed a record deal withEpic Records.[18] She performed on "Love Won't Wait", a song on theBlack Eyed Peas' debut albumBehind the Front.[19]
Gray worked on her debut album in 1999 with producerDarryl Swann.[20] Released in the summer of 1999,On How Life Is became a worldwide smash.[21] The first single, "Do Something", stalled on the charts, but the second single, "I Try", made the album a success.[22] "I Try" (which was originally featured inLove Jones and theJennifer Aniston-starring romantic-comedyPicture Perfect in 1997)[23] was one of the biggest singles of 1999,[24][25] and subsequent singles ("Still" and "Why Didn't You Call Me") ensured the album became triple platinum in the U.S.[26] and quadruple platinum in the UK.[27]
In2001, Gray won theGrammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "I Try", which was also nominated for theSong of the Year andRecord of the Year Grammys.[28] She then collaborated withFatboy Slim, theBlack Eyed Peas, andSlick Rick (on the song "The World Is Yours", from theRush Hour 2 soundtrack), as well as acting for the first time, in the thrillerTraining Day.[29] In August 2001, Gray was booed at thePro Football Hall of Fame exhibition game after forgetting the lyrics to theAmerican national anthem.[30]
Gray'sThe Id featured appearances byJohn Frusciante andErykah Badu on the single "Sweet Baby" (which was co-written with longtime collaborator Joe Solo).[31] The album peaked at number eleven on theBillboard 200.[32] It fared even better in the UK, where it reached number one on theUK Albums Chart and was certified gold by theBPI.[33]
In 2002, she appeared inSpider-Man and contributed a remix of her song "My Nutmeg Phantasy" to its accompanying soundtrack. Gray also worked withSantana on the track "Amoré (Sexo)", for his albumShaman.[34][35]
Also in 2002, she appeared on theRed Hot Organization's compilation CD in tribute toNigerianAfropop pioneerFela Kuti,Red Hot and Riot. She appeared on a remake of Kuti's classic track "Water No Get Enemy" alongside prominentneo soul,hip hop and R&B artists,D'Angelo,the Soultronics,Nile Rodgers,Roy Hargrove, and Kuti's son,Femi Kuti.[citation needed]
She recorded a duet withZucchero called "Like the Sun (From Out of Nowhere)", which featuredJeff Beck on guitar released in 2004 onZu & Co., a duet collection.[36][37] Her song "Time of My Life" was included in thesoundtrack to8 Mile.[38] A cartoon based on Gray's childhood was being developed, but it never came to fruition.[20][35]
In 2003, Gray released her third studio album,The Trouble with Being Myself, to rave reviews.[citation needed] The lead single, "When I See You", became a radio hit in the U.S. and a top-forty hit in the UK, although the album was not as well received by fans.[39] Nevertheless, it became Gray's third top twenty album in the UK.[40][41] A greatest hits collection and a live album were subsequently released:The Very Best of Macy Gray (2004) andLive in Las Vegas (2005). Additionally, Gray was featured onMarcus Miller's 2005 albumSilver Rain, on acover ofPrince's 1986 song "Girls & Boys". She also appeared on the soundtrack to the filmChicago withQueen Latifah andLil' Kim on "Cell Block Tango/He Had it Comin'".[42]
Gray began 2007 by being kicked off-stage at a concert inBarbados for profanity (which was part of the show), but she was not aware that it was against the law in that country.[43] She gave a public apology that night to avoid arrest.[44]
In March, Gray released her fourth studio album (sixth overall),Big.[45] Two singles, "Finally Made Me Happy" and "Shoo Be Doo", were released from the album.[44] "What I Gotta Do", another track from the album, is featured on theShrek the Third soundtrack. It has been considered Gray's comeback album, after a four-year hiatus since her last studio album.[46] The album was critically acclaimed and seen by some as her best work to date.[47] It features collaborations withNatalie Cole,Fergie,Justin Timberlake, andwill.i.am, who co-executive produced the album with Gray. It was moderately successful in the U.S., where it debuted and peaked at number 39 on theBillboard 200, becoming Gray's highest-charting album sinceThe Id.[48]Big reached number 62 on the albums chart in the UK,[49] her lowest-charting UK album, but it achieved some success in several other countries, includingSwitzerland, theCzech Republic, andFinland, reaching the Top 40 on their album charts.[50]
PBS'sSoundstage live concert series premiered a Gray concert on July 5.[51]
On July 7, 2007, Gray performed at theBrazilian leg ofLive Earth atCopacabana Beach inRio de Janeiro, Brazil.[52] 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".[53]
Early in 2009, Gray recorded the song "Don't Forget Me" for the soundtrack ofConfessions of a Shopaholic.[54]
The first single from Gray's fifth studio albumThe 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 byMicrosoft to promoteInternet Explorer 9.[citation needed] Both singles released from the album ("Beauty in the World" and "Lately") were top 10 hits on the USBillboardHot Dance Club Songs Chart.[citation needed]
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;[55] Andy Gill ofThe Independent gave it three out of five stars; whileAllMusic writer John Bush shared a similar sentiment and panned Gray's songwriting.[56]
However,The Boston Globe's James Reed commended its production,[57] and Jeremy Allen ofNME gave the album a 7/10 rating.[58]
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In 2011, Gray signed a deal with429 Records and started recording a series of covers for her next studio albumCovered. The album was officially released on March 26, 2012. The album's first single was "Here Comes the Rain Again" (originally performed byEurythmics).[59] On February 16, 2012, Gray participated in theSanremo Festival as a guest, performing alongsideGigi D'Alessio andLoredana Bertè.[60]
For the 40th anniversary of the 1972Stevie Wonder albumTalking Book, Gray covered the entire record and released herTalking Book as a tribute.[61]
In an interview withOprah Winfrey'sWhere 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 albumThe Way, released in October 2014 on Kobalt Records. A world tour was announced shortly after its release.[62]
In 2016, Gray's career continued with an album produced byChesky Records, the record label founded by Grammy-nominated composer and musicianDavid Chesky.Stripped was released September 9, 2016, and garnered almost unanimous praise from critics. The album debuted at No. 3 on theBillboard Jazz Chart.[1] Earlier that year, she was featured onAriana Grande's song "Leave Me Lonely" from her third studio album,Dangerous Woman.
Gray released her tenth studio album,Ruby, in September 2018.
In 2001, she was the voice for Seeiah Owens in the video gameSSX Tricky.[63][64] Gray sang the theme song for theNickelodeon animated seriesAs Told by Ginger, composed byJared Faber andEmily Kapnek.[65] Gray also performed the song on the short-livedUPN romantic comedySecond Time Around starringBoris Kodjoe andNicole Ari Parker in 2004. In 2006 Gray appeared in the eighth season of Bravo'sCelebrity Poker Showdown, playing forHabitat for Humanity. She finished in third place.[66]
In August 2008, Gray headlined at the 2008Summer Sundae music festival inLeicester, England, performing cover versions ofRod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?",Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" andRadiohead's "Creep".[67] For the gig, her band wore pinkAndy Warhol wigs.[68] On September 28, 2008, Gray sang the American national anthem as part of the Israeli flag-raising ceremony at theIsraeli consulate of Los Angeles.[69][70] Also in 2008, Gray collaborated with Australian DJ and singerKaz 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.[71] In 2009, Gray briefly competed inseason 9 ofDancing with the Stars with professional partnerJonathan Roberts. They were eliminated in a double elimination in week one. In 2012, she performed theMichael Jackson song "Rock with You" for a special performance of theWest End musicalThriller – Live forBBC Children in Need Pop Goes the Musical.
In 2015, Gray was featured on the song "Into the Deep" byGalactic.[72] In 2016, Gray was featured on the song "Leave Me Lonely" byAriana Grande. In 2018, Gray was featured alongsideDolly Parton on a re-recording of "Two Doors Down" for theDumplin' soundtrack. In 2020, Gray was featured on the single "Out Of Love" by Canadian bandBusty and the Bass. The band also released a notable cover of Gray's "I Try" in 2016.
In 2021, Gray competed inseason three of theAustralian version ofThe Masked Singer as "Atlantis". On February 20, 2022, Gray performedThe Star-Spangled Banner at the2022 NBA All-Star Game. Gray represented her home state of Ohio at the 2022America Song Contest with the song "Every Night".
In 2023, Gray competed inseason ten ofThe Masked Singer as the wild card contestant "Sea Queen". She finished in fourth place.[73]
In 2025, Gray competed inseason six of theBritish version ofThe Masked Singer as "Toad in the Hole", which she was third to be eliminated. She subsequently walked off stage before later returning to unmask in front of the audience and panel.
Gray was married to Tracey Hinds, a mortgage broker, for about two years, but they divorced prior to her rise to prominence.[9] They have three children.[27] She opened the Macy Gray Music Academy in 2005.[74]
Studio albums
Headlining tours
Co-headlining tours
Opening act
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Training Day | Sandman's Wife | |
| 2002 | Spider-Man | Herself | |
| 2003 | Gang of Roses | Black Haired Woman | |
| Scary Movie 3 | Herself | ||
| 2004 | Around the World in 80 Days | Sleeping French Woman | |
| 2005 | Lackawanna Blues | Pauline | TV movie |
| The Crow: Wicked Prayer | Cara Mia | ||
| Shadowboxer | Neisha | ||
| Domino | Lashandra Davis | ||
| 2006 | Idlewild | Taffy | |
| 2010 | For Colored Girls | Rose / Lady in Pink | |
| 2012 | The Paperboy | Anita Chester | |
| 2014 | Percentage | Mama Cash | |
| The Grim Sleeper | Margette | ||
| Sacrifice | Nurse Williams | Short | |
| 2015 | November Rule | Alice | |
| Brotherly Love | Mrs. Taylor | ||
| Where Children Play | Helen Harrold | ||
| 2016 | Papa | Agent Macy Sterling | |
| Cardboard Boxer | Den Mother Chata | ||
| 2018 | Change in the Air | Donna | |
| 2021 | Dutch | Delores Murphy | |
| Phobias | Renée | ||
| Real Talk | Aisha | ||
| 2024 | Dutch II: Angel's Revenge | Delores Murphy | |
| 2025 | Sneaks | Adriana (voice) | |
| 2025 | The Astronaut | Val |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Videotech | Herself | Episode: "Videotech Special 7" |
| Sessions at West 54th | Herself | Episode: "Episode 3.2" | |
| 2000 | Ally McBeal | Herself | Episode: "Hope and Glory" |
| 2000–01 | Saturday Night Live | Herself | Episode: "Episode 30.12" & "30.18" |
| 2001 | Say It Loud: A Celebration of Black Music in America | Herself | Episode: "Express Yourself" |
| VH1 Presents the 80's | Herself | Recurring Guest | |
| 2002 | MDs | Jess | Episode: "Wing and a Prayer" |
| 2003 | The National Lottery Wright Ticket | Herself | Episode: "Episode 1.5" |
| When I Was a Girl | Herself | Episode: "Singers" | |
| MTV Cribs | Herself | Episode: "Oct 13, 2003" | |
| The Bronx Bunny Show | Herself | Episode: "Episode 1.8" | |
| 2004 | Blue's Clues | Herself | Episode: "Bluestock" |
| Simply the Best | Herself | Episode: "Episode 1.4" | |
| American Dreams | Carla Thomas | Episode: "Real-to-Reel" | |
| Duck Dodgers | Lady Chanticleer (voice) | Episode: "Diva Delivery/Castle High" | |
| That's So Raven | Rhonda | Episode: "Taken to the Cleaners" | |
| 2005 | Punk'd | Herself | Episode: "Episode 6.7" |
| American Dragon: Jake Long | Trixie's Grandmother (voice) | Recurring Cast: Season 1 | |
| 1-800-Missing | Cleo | Episode: "A Death in the Family" | |
| 2006 | Celebrity Poker Showdown | Herself | Episode: "Tournament 8, Game 5" |
| 2007 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself/Musical Guest | Episode: "Round 5 Results" |
| 2009 | Black to the Future | Herself | Episode: "Hour 4: The 00s" |
| Head Case | Herself | Episode: "The Wedding Ringer" | |
| Dancing with the Stars | Herself/Contestant | Contestant:Season 9 | |
| 2013 | Choccywoccydoodah | Herself | Episode: "Starstruck: All You Need Is Love" |
| Night of the Proms | Herself | Episode: "Episode 1.13" | |
| 2014 | Oprah: Where Are They Now? | Herself | Episode: "Charice's Surprising Revelation, Carmen Electra, Macy Gray & Shadoe Stevens" |
| 2016 | Fuller House | Herself | Episode: "Funner House" |
| 2017 | Through the Keyhole | Herself | Episode: "Episode 4.5" |
| Lip Sync Battle | Herself/Competitor | Episode: "Soul Train Special" | |
| 2019 | The Real Housewives of Potomac | Herself | Episode: "Good Will Haunting" |
| 2021 | Big City Greens | Kara Karaoke (voice) | Episode: "Okay Karaoke" |
| The Masked Singer (Australia) | Atlantis | Contestant:Season 3 | |
| The Real Housewives of Potomac | Herself | Episode: "Altar-ed State of Mind" | |
| 2022 | I Can See Your Voice | Herself | Episode: "Episode 5: Macy Gray, Loni Love, Jodie Sweetin, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Houghton" |
| American Song Contest | Herself/Contestant Ohio | Episode: "The Live Qualifiers Part 2" | |
| Women Who Rock | Herself | Main Guest | |
| 2023 | The Masked Singer (American) | Sea Queen | Contestant:Season 10 |
| 2024 | The Surreal Life | Herself | Main Cast: Season 8 |
| 2025 | The Masked Singer (British) | Toad in the Hole | Contestant:Series 6 |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | SSX Tricky | Seeiah Owens (voice) |
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Lightning in a Bottle |
| 2005 | All We Are Saying |
| 2009 | Life on the Road with Mr. and Mrs. Brown |
| 2021 | Mr Nelson on the North Side |
Born: Canton, Ohio, 1967;Soeder, John."Macy Gray is philosophical about slumping sales".The Plain Dealer. Archived fromthe original on January 10, 2015. RetrievedFebruary 16, 2015.
Ohio drivers-license records indicate she was born Sept. 6, 1967, making her 36.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
