Alternative R&B singer Macy Gray was born and raised in Canton, OH,
growing up on a steady diet of classic soul and early hip hop.
A classically-trained pianist,
she only began singing while studying screenwriting
at the University of Southern California,
recording a demo with a group of musician friends
after the scheduled vocalist failed to show up at the studio.

From there Gray sang with a local jazz band,
also becoming a sought-after session vocalist;
signing to Epic,
she issued her debut album On
How Life Is in mid-1999.

What followed was critical praise and comparison,
a string of live performances and awards.

~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide