Skylar Grey
Holly Brook Hafermann (born February 23, 1986), known professionally as Skylar Grey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 2004, at the age of 17, Grey signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and a recording contract with Linkin Park's Machine Shop Recordings under the name Holly Brook. Her debut studio album, Like Blood Like Honey (2006), served as her only release with the label.
Skylar Grey
Holly Brook Hafermann[1]
Holly Brook[2]
February 23, 1986
Mazomanie, Wisconsin, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
- record producer
- Vocals
- piano
- guitar
2004–present
In 2010, Grey co-wrote Eminem's hit single "Love the Way You Lie" with producer Alex da Kid, who then signed Grey to his record label Kidinakorner, an imprint of Interscope Records. Grey's second album, Don't Look Down (2013) peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, while her third album, Natural Causes (2016) was met with critical acclaim despite failing to chart. Her 2021 single, "Last One Standing" (with Polo G, Mozzy and Eminem) marked her first entry—at number 78—on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist. The following year, her self-titled fourth album (2022) was released independently to continued acclaim.
Grey is also known for providing guest vocals on several hit singles, such as Fort Minor's "Where'd You Go", Diddy's "Coming Home", Dr. Dre's "I Need a Doctor", Nicki Minaj's "Bed of Lies", and Macklemore's "Glorious". Additionally, she has written songs for a number of prominent performers including Kehlani, G-Eazy, Alicia Keys, Ciara, Christina Aguilera, Zedd, Nick Jonas, Céline Dion, and CeeLo Green.
Artistry[edit]
Musical style and influences[edit]
Grey has listed Bon Iver, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Shirley Manson of Garbage, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead, Marilyn Manson, Bob Dylan, Fiona Apple, Neil Young, Sarah McLachlan, Eminem, Death Cab for Cutie and Alana Davis as her influences.[89][90][91][92]
Stage name[edit]
Grey explained that she thought her stage name "represents the unknowns in life. People seem to be afraid of the unknowns, but I'm the complete opposite. I dive into the unknown because I feel like that's where all your possibilities come from."[93] She explained to Beatweek that she chose "grey" with an e rather than an a because "I like to do things the original way" and because "it's more masculine. I'm not a very feminine person."[94]
