Macy Gray

Natalie McIntyre was born in Canton, Ohio,{{Cite web |first=Jenna |last=Lemoncelli|date=March 4, 2022 |title=Macy Gray dissects 'laughing' LeBron James reaction from All-Star Game |url=https://nypost.com/2022/03/04/macy-gray-responds-to-lebron-james-all-star-reaction-in-video/ |access-date=March 30, 2022 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Nick|title=Macy Gray: My family values|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/04/macy-gray-my-family-values|access-date=July 13, 2014 |work= The Guardian|date=August 4, 2012}} the daughter of Laura McIntyre, a math schoolteacher,{{cite news|title=Dr. Laura Fisher McIntyre|url=http://www.walsh.edu/dr-laura-fisher-mcintyre|access-date=July 13, 2014|publisher=Walsh University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125026/http://www.walsh.edu/dr-laura-fisher-mcintyre|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}} and Otis Jones.{{cite news| last= Diu| first= Nisha Lilia |title= Macy Gray interview: 'I was a clown'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/7741360/Macy-Gray-interview-I-was-a-clown.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/7741360/Macy-Gray-interview-I-was-a-clown.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=May 30, 2010}}{{cbignore}} Her stepfather was a steelworker, and her sister is a biology teacher. She has a younger brother, Nate, who owns a gym in West Philadelphia and was featured on the season five finale of Queer Eye.{{cite web|first=James |last=Kleinmann|title=TV Review: Queer Eye season 5|publisher=The Queer Review|url=https://thequeerreview.com/2020/05/25/tv-review-queer-eye-season-5-netflix/|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=June 6, 2020}} She began piano lessons at age seven.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/sep/06/macy-gray-us-singer-and-actor |title= Macy Gray: 'I always had a kind of funny voice and it never occurred to me that I could sing' |first= Michael| last= Cragg| work= The Guardian |date= September 6, 2012| access-date=January 6, 2017}} 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.

Gray attended elementary school with Brian Warner (later known as musician Marilyn Manson) although they did not know each other.{{cite news |last=McGrath |first=Nick |date=August 3, 2012 |title=Macy Gray: My family values |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/04/macy-gray-my-family-values |newspaper=The Guardian}} She attended more than one high school, including a boarding school which asked her to leave due to her behavior.

She attended the University of Southern California and studied scriptwriting.

File:Macy gray.jpg

While attending the University of Southern California, she agreed to write songs for a friend. 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.

{{blockquote|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.}}

She then met writer-producer Joe Solo while working as a cashier in Beverly Hills.{{cite web|url=http://www.spectrasonics.net/news/news-content.php?id=2 |title= Joe Solo Hits it 'Big' with Macy Gray and Stylus RMX |publisher= Spectrasonics |date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=May 5, 2013}} 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.{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Macy Gray (1967- ) • |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/macy-gray-1967/ |access-date=March 8, 2022 |language=en-US}} Although Gray did not consider her unusual voice desirable for singing, 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.{{cite web |url= http://www.taxi.com/transmitter/0308/vp-ar-lava-records.html|title= Tom Carolan Vice President of A&R, Lava Records|first= Doug |last= Minnick|date= August 2003|publisher= Taxi Transmitter |access-date=May 14, 2011}} Macy returned to Ohio but in 1997 Los Angeles based Zomba Label Group 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1999/07/26/macys-parade|title=Macy's Parade|first= Louisa |last= Kamps|date=July 26, 1999|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=October 27, 2015}}{{cite web| url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Macy_Gray.aspx|title=Macy Gray|website= Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990|year= 2004 |publisher= The Gale Group, Inc.; republished online at Encyclopedia.com |access-date=October 27, 2015}} In 1998, she landed a record deal with Epic Records.{{cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Steve |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133848,00.html |title=Shades of Gray – Macy Gray |website=People |date=March 12, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=January 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109200710/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133848,00.html |url-status=dead }} She performed on "Love Won't Wait", a song on the Black Eyed Peas' debut album Behind the Front.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/blackpeas.htm |title=Black Eyed Peas – guest program |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=March 10, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114155335/http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/blackpeas.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Gray worked on her debut album in 1999 with producer Darryl Swann.{{cite news| url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-mar-25-ca-rack25-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Odd charm works only so long for Macy Gray | date=March 25, 2007 | access-date=May 12, 2010 | first1=Richard | last1=Cromelin | first2=Natalie | last2=Nichols | first3=Soren | last3=Baker}} Released in the summer of 1999, On How Life Is became a worldwide smash.{{cite web |url=http://www.sonybmg.com.au/artist/artistSiteLink.do?artistId%3D12467 |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208132300/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/artist/artistSiteLink.do?artistId=12467 |archive-date=December 8, 2008}} The first single, "Do Something", stalled on the charts, but the second single, "I Try", made the album a success.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/macy-gray-the-new-voice-of-soul-723699.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208030452/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/macy-gray-the-new-voice-of-soul-723699.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 8, 2008 | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Macy Gray: The new voice of soul | first=David | last=Usborne | date=March 4, 2000 | access-date=April 5, 2010}} "I Try" (which was originally featured in Love Jones and the Jennifer Aniston-starring romantic-comedy Picture Perfect in 1997){{cite web| url= https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/graymacy-trouble.shtml |first=Cynthia|last=Fuchs| title=Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself – PopMatters Music Review |work=PopMatters |date=August 1, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802161536/http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/graymacy-trouble.shtml|archive-date=August 2, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=January 2, 2011}} was one of the biggest singles of 1999,{{cite web | url=http://www.alaskajim.com/charts/yearlysingles/1999.asp | title=Top Songs of 1999 – US Singles Charts | website=Alaskajim.com | access-date=January 2, 2011 | archive-date=November 1, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101004113/http://www.alaskajim.com/charts/yearlysingles/1999.asp | url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://allcharts.org/music/years/usa-singles-1999.htm |title=USA Top Singles For 1999 |publisher=Allcharts.org |access-date=January 2, 2011}} and subsequent singles ("Still" and "Why Didn't You Call Me") ensured the album became triple platinum in the U.S.{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-macy-gray-koko-london-443292.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081208030457/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-macy-gray-koko-london-443292.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= December 8, 2008 | work=The Independent | location=London | title=First Night: Macy Gray, Koko, London | first=Ben | last=Walsh | date=April 4, 2007 | access-date=April 5, 2010}} and quadruple platinum in the UK.{{cite web| url= http://www.chicagoinnerview.com/archives/jan04_macy_gray.htm| title= Macy Gray| first= Jim | last= Famera| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090212202605/http://www.chicagoinnerview.com/archives/jan04_macy_gray.htm |date= January 2003| archive-date=February 12, 2009}}

In 2001, Gray won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "I Try", which was also nominated for the Song of the Year and Record of the Year Grammys.{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/21/grammy.night.01/index.html |work=CNN |url-status=dead |title=Madonna, Macy kick off Grammys |date=February 21, 2001|first=Jamie|last=Allen| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504091622/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/21/grammy.night.01/index.html |archive-date=May 4, 2008 }} 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.{{cite web|last=Moss |first=Corey |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445242/20010718/gray_macy.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010721080917/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445242/20010718/gray_macy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2001 |title=Macy Gray, Ludacris, LL Cool J On 'Rush Hour 2' Soundtrack – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=July 18, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}} In August 2001, Gray was booed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition game after forgetting the lyrics to the American national anthem.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010807/aponline133518_000.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111235956/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010807/aponline133518_000.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |title=Macy Gray Is Booed During Anthem |access-date=May 26, 2007|date=August 7, 2001 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

File:FEMA - 14639 - Photograph by Ed Edahl taken on 09-04-2005 in Texas.jpg

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).{{cite web|first= Teri |last= vanHorn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445307/20010720/gray_macy.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010726113118/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445307/20010720/gray_macy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2001 |title=Macy Gray Lets It All Hang Out on the Id – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=July 20, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}} The album peaked at number eleven on the Billboard 200.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12037979 |title=Macy Gray News |publisher=Yahoo! Music |access-date=January 2, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It fared even better in the UK, where it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the BPI.{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-old-vicbrthe-rza-subterania-londonbrkelis-astoria-london-667141.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202145258/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-old-vicbrthe-rza-subterania-londonbrkelis-astoria-london-667141.html| url-status= dead| archive-date= December 2, 2008|title=Macy Gray : Old Vic| newspaper=The Independent | location=London | first=Simon | last=Price | date=August 27, 2001 | access-date=April 5, 2010}}

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.{{cite web|first1= Teri |last1= vanHorn| first2= Tina| last2= Johnson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441621/20010313/gray_macy.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618212747/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441621/20010313/gray_macy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 18, 2001 |title=Macy Gray Plans The Id LP, 'Spider-Man' Role |publisher= MTV |date=March 13, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/ar-294045-news--Macy-Gray |title=Macy Gray |publisher=Yahoo! Music |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224232313/http://music.yahoo.com/ar-294045-news--Macy-Gray |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}

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 of Kuti's classic track "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.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}

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 duet collection.{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/zucchero-050906.shtml |title= Unito Nella Diversitá: A Chat with Zucchero| first= Nikki| last= Tranter |website=PopMatters |date= September 6, 2005 |url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060205104323/http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/zucchero-050906.shtml| archive-date= February 5, 2006 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://ca.music.yahoo.com/Zucchero/Like-The-Sun-From-Out-Of-Nowhere/lyrics/21127475 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110718134307/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/Zucchero/Like-The-Sun-From-Out-Of-Nowhere/lyrics/21127475 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |title=Zucchero Like The Sun (From Out of Nowhere) lyrics on Yahoo! Music |publisher=Yahoo! Music |access-date=January 2, 2011 }} Her song "Time of My Life" was included in the soundtrack to 8 Mile.{{cite web|url=http://www.nutsie.com/song/Time%20of%20My%20Life/4718121?album_id=4718104&artist_id=1001467 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226031248/http://www.nutsie.com/song/Time%20of%20My%20Life/4718121?album_id=4718104&artist_id=1001467 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2008 |title='Time of My Life' on 8 Mile (album, cd) by Macy Gray (artist) |website=nuTsie.com |access-date=January 2, 2011 }} A cartoon based on Gray's childhood was being developed, but it never came to fruition.

In 2003, Gray released her third studio album, The Trouble with Being Myself, to rave reviews.{{citation needed |date= October 2011}} 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.{{cite web|first= Karu F. |last= Daniels|url= http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2007/02/05/macy-gray-back-into-the-swing-of-things/ |title=MACY GRAY: Back Into the Swing of Things – Entertainment Newswire |website= BlackVoices.com| publisher= AOL |date=February 5, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011}} Nevertheless, it became Gray's third top twenty album in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/macy_gray/reviews/5554 |title=Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself – Review |work=Uncut |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517214128/http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/macy_gray/reviews/5554 |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/vxqv/ |title=Music – Review of Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself |publisher=BBC |date=May 6, 2003 |access-date=January 2, 2011}} 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'".{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12037435 |title=Lil' Kim News |publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=December 12, 2002 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124114731/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12037435 |archive-date=November 24, 2006 }}

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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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/macy-gray/25835 |title=Macy Gray almost arrested for swearing |work=NME |date=January 15, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011}} She gave a public apology that night to avoid arrest.{{cite web|url=http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200708/1187845462.html |title=Macy Gray and Mixed Chicks go "BIG" – Macy Gray, Music, Mixed Chicks |publisher=Free-press-release.com |date=August 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}

In March, Gray released her fourth studio album (sixth overall), Big.{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/28/235056.php |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090715082128/http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/28/235056.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2009 |title=New Album Releases, 3-27-2007: Macy Gray, Ego Plum, Tim McGraw, Warren Zevon re-issues |publisher=Blogcritics.org |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011 }} Two singles, "Finally Made Me Happy" and "Shoo Be Doo", were released from the album. "What I Gotta Do", another track from the album, is featured on the Shrek the Third soundtrack. It has been considered Gray's comeback album, after a four-year hiatus since her last studio album.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-koko-londonbrmutya-buena-borderline-london-443857.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208030502/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-koko-londonbrmutya-buena-borderline-london-443857.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 8, 2008 | title=Macy Gray, Koko, London Mutya Buena, Borderline London, A haircut does not a comeback make|work=The Independent | location=London | first=Simon | last=Price | date=April 8, 2007 | access-date=April 5, 2010}} The album was critically acclaimed and seen by some as her best work to date.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/why-macy-gray-is-big-over-here-401149.html | work=The Independent | location= London | title=Why Macy Gray is big over here | first=Susie | last=Mesure | date=September 2, 2007 | access-date=April 5, 2010}} It features collaborations with Natalie Cole, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, and will.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 the Billboard 200, becoming Gray's highest-charting album since The Id.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053163/mcgraw-leads-seven-top-10-debuts-onto-billboard-200 |first=Katie| last=Hasty|date=April 4, 2007|title=McGraw Leads Seven Top 10 Debuts Onto Billboard 200 |magazine= Billboard |access-date=January 2, 2011}} Big reached number 62 on the albums chart in the UK,{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/album/14926 |title=Macy Gray – Big – Music Charts |website= Acharts.us |access-date=January 2, 2011}} her lowest-charting UK album, but it achieved some success in several other countries, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Finland, reaching the Top 40 on their album charts.{{cite web| first= Steffen |last= Hung |url=http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Macy+Gray&titel=Winter+Wonderland&cat=s |title=Macy Gray – Winter Wonderland |publisher=swisscharts.com |access-date=January 2, 2011}}

PBS's Soundstage live concert series premiered a Gray concert on July 5.{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/mgray/featured.htm |title=Soundstage . Macy Gray |publisher=PBS |date=July 5, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151259/http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/mgray/featured.htm |url-status=dead }}

On July 7, 2007, Gray performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/macygray |title=Live Earth Artist: Macy Gray |access-date=August 8, 2007 |work=Live Earth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831062826/http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/macygray |archive-date=August 31, 2007 }} 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".{{cite web|url=http://www.videostatic.com/vs/2008/12/watch-it-macy-g.html |title=Music Video News: WATCH IT: Macy Gray "Slap A Bitch" |publisher=Video Static |date=December 12, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605140546/http://www.videostatic.com/vs/2008/12/watch-it-macy-g.html |archive-date=June 5, 2011 }}

Early in 2009, Gray recorded the song "Don't Forget Me" for the soundtrack of Confessions of a Shopaholic.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Shopaholic-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B001N6FPR8 |title= Confessions of a Shopaholic: Original Soundtrack: Music |website= Amazon |access-date=January 2, 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}

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;{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/graymacy/thesellout |title=The Sellout (2010): Reviews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623150705/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/graymacy/thesellout |archive-date=June 23, 2010|work=Metacritic|access-date=July 1, 2010}} 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.{{cite web |first=John |last= Bush |title=Review: The Sellout |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1737389|pure_url=yes}} |publisher= AllMusic |access-date=June 24, 2010}}

However, The Boston Globe{{'}}s James Reed commended its production,{{cite news|last=Reed|first=James| url=https://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/06/21/macy_gray_the_sellout/ |title=Review: The Sellout|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060224/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/06/21/macy_gray_the_sellout/ |date=June 21, 2010|archive-date=March 4, 2016|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=July 1, 2010}} and Jeremy Allen of NME gave the album a 7/10 rating.{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Jeremy|url= https://www.nme.com/reviews/11375 |title=Review: The Sellout|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406164229/http://www.nme.com/reviews/11375 |date=June 18, 2010|archive-date=April 6, 2016|work=NME|access-date=July 1, 2010}}

File:Macy Gray in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Jan Prunk (2013).JPG

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).{{cite web |url=http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/429details/d_macygray.asp |title=Macy Gray |publisher=429 Records |date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402214327/http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/429details/d_macygray.asp |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }} On February 16, 2012, Gray participated in the Sanremo Festival as a guest, performing alongside Gigi D'Alessio and Loredana Bertè.{{Cite news|url=http://www.musicavideoblog.it/categorie/eventi/festival-di-sanremo-2012-macy-gray-in-duetto-con-gigi-dalessio-e-loredana-berte_art19853.html|title=Festival di Sanremo 2012: Macy Gray in duetto con Gigi D'Alessio e Loredana Bertè|newspaper=Musica Video Blog – Il primo video blog italiano dedicato al mondo della musica|access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203080941/http://www.musicavideoblog.it/categorie/eventi/festival-di-sanremo-2012-macy-gray-in-duetto-con-gigi-dalessio-e-loredana-berte_art19853.html|archive-date=February 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/10/macy-grays-cover-of-stevie-wonders-talking-book.html|first=Ben|last=Greenman|title= Macy Gray's album-length cover of Stevie Wonder]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325205012/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/10/macy-grays-cover-of-stevie-wonders-talking-book.html |archive-date=March 25, 2014|magazine=The New Yorker|date=October 29, 2012}}

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.{{cite web|title=Macy Gray on Her Drug Use And Reaction To Fame: 'I Was A Massive A**hole' (VIDEO) |url= https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/20/macy-gray-confessions-drug-use-fame_n_6005366.html?ir=Entertainmenttainment&ir=Entertainment|work=HuffPost|date = October 20, 2014|access-date=October 22, 2014}}

In 2016, Gray's career continued with an album produced by Chesky Records, the record label founded by Grammy-nominated composer and musician David Chesky. Stripped was released September 9, 2016, and garnered almost unanimous praise from critics. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. Earlier that year, she was featured on Ariana 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 game SSX Tricky.{{cite web|last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/ssxtricky/news.html?sid=2816990 |title=Celebrities lend their voices to SSX Tricky – Xbox News at GameSpot |publisher=GameSpot|date=December 10, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.culturecartel.com/review.php?rid=10004216 |title=Electronic Arts – 2001 – SSX Tricky Games Review |website=CultureCartel.com |date=November 22, 2002 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708213417/http://www.culturecartel.com/review.php?rid=10004216 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }} Gray sang the theme song for the Nickelodeon animated series As Told by Ginger, composed by Jared Faber and Emily Kapnek.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YVnFZoxC4U | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211109/3YVnFZoxC4U| archive-date=November 9, 2021 | url-status=live|title=As Told By Ginger (Theme Song) | date=August 19, 2008|via= YouTube |access-date=January 2, 2011}}{{cbignore}} Gray also performed the song on the short-lived UPN romantic comedy Second Time Around starring Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker in 2004. In 2006 Gray appeared in the eighth season of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, playing for Habitat for Humanity. She finished in third place.{{cite news|url=http://www.bravotv.com/Celebrity_Poker_Showdown/Players/About/Macy_Gray.shtml |title=Celebrity Poker Showdown |work=Bravo |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208010829/http://www.bravotv.com/Celebrity_Poker_Showdown/Players/About/Macy_Gray.shtml |archive-date=December 8, 2008 }}

In August 2008, Gray headlined at the 2008 Summer Sundae music festival in Leicester, England, performing cover versions of Rod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" and Radiohead's "Creep".{{cite web |url=http://www.summersundae.com/lineup/artist-detail.php?cat_id=5&year=2008&artid=393445 |title=Summer Sundae Weekender |publisher=Summersundae.com |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220203508/http://www.summersundae.com/lineup/artist-detail.php?cat_id=5&year=2008&artid=393445 |url-status=dead }} For the gig, her band wore pink Andy Warhol wigs.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20080808_sundae1.shtml |title=6 Music – Matt's Blog Day 1 |publisher=BBC |date=August 8, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2011}} 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.{{cite news|last=Bloomekatz|first= Ari B. |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-flag29-2008sep29,0,4260835.story |title=Consulate in Los Angeles raises Israeli flag|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101162930/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-flag29-2008sep29%2C0%2C4260835.story |archive-date=November 1, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 29, 2008}}{{cite news| last= Tugend| first= Tom| url= http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/item/israeli_flag_flies_at_consulate_for_first_time_20080928/ | archive-url= http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090725054212/http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/item/israeli_flag_flies_at_consulate_for_first_time_20080928/ | url-status= dead | archive-date= July 25, 2009 |title= Israeli flag flies at consulate for first time| work= The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles| date= September 29, 2008}} Also 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.{{cite web| url= http://www.kazjames.com/featuredInfo/home.do |title= Kaz James + Macy Gray Rumoured To Perform at Sydney's Future Music Festival!! | date= February 27, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312071445/http://www.kazjames.com/featuredInfo/home.do |archive-date= March 12, 2009 | website= KazJames.com| access-date=May 1, 2009}} In 2009, Gray briefly 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, she 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.{{cite web|title=Into the Deep |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/into-the-deep-mw0002850200/credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=December 11, 2015}} In 2016, Gray was featured on the song "Leave Me Lonely" by Ariana Grande. In 2018, Gray was featured alongside Dolly Parton on a re-recording of "Two Doors Down" for the Dumplin' soundtrack. In 2020, Gray was featured on the single "Out Of Love" by Canadian band Busty and the Bass. The band also released a notable cover of Gray's "I Try" in 2016.

In 2021, Gray competed in season three of the Australian version of The Masked Singer as "Atlantis". On February 20, 2022, Gray performed The Star-Spangled Banner at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. Gray represented her home state of Ohio at the 2022 America Song Contest with the song "Every Night".

In 2023, Gray competed in season ten of The Masked Singer as the wild card contestant "Sea Queen". She finished in fourth place.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-10-finale-recap-winner-runner-ups-ne-yo-john-schneider-1235847017/|title=The Masked Singer Season 10 Finale: Winner, Runner-Up Revealed|website=Variety|first=Michael|last=Schneider|date=December 20, 2023|access-date=December 21, 2023}}

In 2025, Gray competed in season six of the British version of The 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. They have three children. She opened the Macy Gray Music Academy in 2005.{{cite web |date=October 20, 2005 |title=Macy Gray Opens Her Own Music School |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/macy-gray-opens-her-own-music-school |url-status=dead |access-date=May 30, 2013 |publisher=Contact Music.com}}

{{Main|Macy Gray discography}}

Studio albums

• On How Life Is (1999)
• The Id (2001)
• The Trouble with Being Myself (2003)
• Big (2007)
• The Sellout (2010)
• Covered (2012)
• Talking Book (2012)
• The Way (2014)
• Stripped (2016)
• Ruby (2018)

• The Reset (with The California Jet Club) (2023){{cite web | last=Centeno | first=Tony M. | title=Macy Gray & The California Jet Club Share Global Dates For 'The Reset Tour' | website=iHeartRadio | date=July 6, 2023 | url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-07-06-macy-gray-the-california-jet-club-share-global-dates-for-the-reset-tour/ | access-date=February 7, 2025}}

Headlining tours

• The Trouble with Being Myself Tour (2003-2004){{cite magazine | title=Macy Looking For 'Trouble' On The Road | magazine=Billboard | date=February 28, 2003 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/macy-looking-for-trouble-on-the-road-72140/ | access-date=February 8, 2025}}
• Big Tour (2007){{cite web | title=Macy's Big Tour | website=Pollstar News | date=July 13, 2007 | url=https://news.staging.pollstar.com/2007/07/13/macys-big-tour/ | access-date=February 8, 2025}}
• The Way Tour (2015){{cite web | title=Macy Gray To Embark On 2015 Australian Tour | website=The Music | date=October 22, 2014 | url=https://themusic.com.au/news/macy-gray-to-embark-on-2015-australian-tour/iz-cn56BgIM/22-10-14 | access-date=February 8, 2025}}
• Stripped Tour (2017){{cite web | last=Tyas | first=Matt | title=Macy Gray Interview – 'Stripped Tour' | website=Manchester’s Finest | date=March 1, 2017 | url=https://www.manchestersfinest.com/music/macy-gray-interview-stripped-tour/#:~:text=Macy%20Gray%20is%20a%20couple%20of%20days,'Stripped'%20The%20album%20has%20a%20huge%20Jazz | access-date=February 8, 2025}}
• Ruby Tour (2018){{cite magazine | last=Alysse | first=Bianca | title=Macy Gray Announces New Album 'Ruby' & Upcoming Tour Dates: Exclusive | magazine=Billboard | date=May 14, 2018 | url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/macy-gray-interview-new-album-ruby-tour/ | access-date=February 8, 2025}}
• On How Life Is 25th Anniversary Tour (2025){{cite web | title=Macy Gray to perform in Zagreb on big anniversary tour | website=Croatia Week | date=February 5, 2025 | url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/macy-gray-to-perform-in-zagreb-on-big-anniversary-tour/ | access-date=February 8, 2025}}

Co-headlining tours

• The Reset Tour (2023){{cite web | title=Macy Gray Announces Fall 2023 'The Reset Tour' | website=RTTNews | date=July 8, 2023 | url=https://www.rttnews.com/3374469/macy-gray-announces-fall-2023-the-reset-tour.aspx | access-date=February 8, 2025}}

Opening act

• Everyday Tour (2001){{cite magazine | title=Macy Gray To Open DMB Stadium Dates | magazine=Billboard | date=February 20, 2001 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/macy-gray-to-open-dmb-stadium-dates-80496/ | access-date=February 8, 2025}}

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