Born and raised for most of his early life in a neighborhood in upper Manhattan in which he calls Harlems little cousin, a star was born. Gray, whos made up of black, Sicilian, and american indian, was blessed to grow up in an extremely musical household. His father is a singer and musician, and mother is a gifted lyricist. His younger sister Reina is also an aspiring singer. Grays father, being from Gary Indiana used to compete in talent shows against the Jackson Five and was always their strongest competition throughout the midwest.
R and b was instilled into Grays soul since his conception. Its all he knew growing up. Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Donnie Hathaway, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, Prince, among others, might as well have been members of his family. It seems he had no choice but to pursue a career in music, it was his first language.
Teaching himself to play piano and guitar, Grays voice and style is what sets him apart. A mix of old soul, combined with the music of his generation, New Edition, Jodeci, Boys to Men, SWV, and artists of today such as Faith Evans, Beyonce, R Kelly ,Dangelo, and Lauryn Hill make up the prototype which is Gray. Winning vocal awards all through high school and college, Gray was known for his talent. And unlike all of his friends, he graduated college to add more to his credibility. One thing that turns him off is when people say its good to have a degree to have something to fall back on. In Grays mind, theirs is no falling back. He is a scholar of rap and r & b, and knows the exact formula of how to "make it" in this complex industry. If he was solely a producer or songwriter, success would be in his corner. But hes not, theres so much more. When looking at Gray, its hard for people to match his face with his voice until he opens his mouth to prove that it is indeed him.
Angie Stone, who was a mentor to Gray and whom he worked with for years, said he was the "best thing since sliced bread" and this generations Marvin Gaye. Gray is in a world where it has seemed like real talent doesnt matter, and gimmicks are what sells records. But in the last couple of years, music has taken a turn to embrace the "soul" once more. So Gray, staying true to all of the legends that have made it, and the many that never have, finds it his obligation to save r & b, and secure it in its rightful place.. at the top!Layout by:
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