News

Macy Gray, “The Sellout”

• 26th Feb 2010

Grammy award winning, 15 million album selling, singer-songwriter Macy Gray, one of the most unique and original artists to emerge in recent times, has her brand new album, “The Sellout”, released on May 17th through Concord Records/Island Records.

“The Sellout”, the artist’s first new record in over three years, features 12 new songs and was co-written and executive produced by Gray in Los Angeles throughout 2009. The album was mixed by four-time Grammy Award winner Manny Marroquin whose credits include top 10 singles for Lady Gaga, Jay Z, Rihanna, Alicia Keyes, Kanye West and John Mayer and collaborators on the album include T.I., Bobby Brown, The Bodyrockers’ Kaz James and Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum formerly of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver.

It’s clear from opening moments of the record’s first single, the irresistibly anthemic “Beauty In The World”, that The Sellout is the work of an artist who has reconnected with the essence of her creative gifts after a long, soul-numbing journey through the music biz’s star-making machinery. “The Sellout tells the story of how I found my salvation in just being myself instead of who other people thought I should be,” said the striking singer. “I had got to a place in my career where I tried everything that was asked of me and in doing so I lost sight of who Macy Gray really is. I spent over a year making this album without any pressure or opinions and being able to choose the co-writers, producers and artists that felt good to me. As a result, it really reflects my true identity. I feel like I have finally made the album I was capable of and that my fans wanted. These are some of my favorite songs that I’ve written.”
Sparkling melodies and personal lyrical insights dazzle throughout The Sellout, an authentic and confidently delivered statement from one of contemporary music’s most creative forces. The highlights are rich and plentiful including the alluring, soul-pop groove of “Lately”, “That Man” a mouth-watering slice of Ting Ting’s inflected 80’s new-wave, the Joan Jett meets T- Rex thump and screaming Slash guitar of “Kissed It”, and the beguiling, “Still Hurts”, a vulnerable, emotion filled ballad, just to name a few.

Macy Gray first burst onto the music scene with her debut album On How Life Is and the massive hit single “I Try” both of which went number 1 all over the world. The album went on to sell 7 million copies worldwide with Gray winning a Grammy and an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. Macy Gray has gone on to sell more than 15,000,000 albums worldwide and has been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards and 6 MTV Video Music Awards. She has collaborated on stage and in the recording studio with some of music’s greatest artists including Justin Timberlake, Common, Outkast, Rick Rubin, Carlos Santana, Erykah Badu, Fergie, will.i.am, John Frusciante (of Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nas, Mos Def and Natalie Cole, among many others. She has also appeared in numerous films including Training Day, Spider Man, Idlewild and the award winning HBO Film Lackawanna Blues.