Macy Gray was born in Canton, Ohio, growing up in a home where her musical talent could be nurtured. As a child, she spent many hours listening to her parent’s tremendous album collection, which exposed her to many different types of music. Macy also received instruction/lessons in classical piano. Gray now admits that for many years she was embarrassed by her self-proclaimed “funny” voice, saying that the other kids used to make fun of her, so much so that she eventually decided to stop talking!

A while later, Macy Gray relocated to Los Angeles, where she enrolled in a screenwriting class at USC. There, she became friendly with a few musicians/songwriters who welcomed her to their world and soon after, she began performing with them. At first, she was singing old jazz standards at local clubs but soon began experimenting on her own, creating a unique sound of hip-hop, soul, reggae and old school funk. Needless to say, she stirred quite a raucous throughout the L.A. music scene. In 1998, Macy Gray captured a record deal with Epic Records and became involved with producer/manager Andy Slater. Together, they began work on Gray’s debut for Epic Records, On How Life Is, in June 1998. In early 1999, Gray wrapped up a her last performances at L.A.’s Viper Room, where she had been performing regularly, and started a mini-tour across the U.S.. On How It Is came out to fantastic reviews during the summer of 1999.