ARJANWRITES.COM - Macy gray took the pop scene by storm when she was nominated for two Grammy Awards and her song "I Try" became a radio favorite in the spring of 2000. Her accompanying debut record "On How Life Is" eventually reached triple platinum status at the end of 2000.

Hailed as the savior of funk, Gray's persona was hard to resist. Her wacky lyrics, unique voice and potent soul-funk combination were a fresh addition to CD shelves, which were dominated by saccharine teen pop, Latin crossover hopefuls and that persistent, big-voiced gal from Canada.

Gray, whose real name is Natalie McIntyre, was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1970. Influenced by Prince, Sly Stone, James Brown and other soul greats, Gray developed a passion for music early in life. When she moved to Los Angeles to study screenwriting, she started to write lyrics and recorded a demo tape, which quickly circulated within L.A.'s music scene. Gray was invited to front a pop jazz band that played the L.A. hotel circuit, a lucrative gig that taught Gray the ropes of performing in front of a live audience.

She also organized a Hollywood after-hours club, called the "We Hours" with open-mike nights, DJ sets and performances of her own band. The weekly gatherings allowed her to jam with other starting musicians as she quickly developed an interest in rock and hip-hop in addition to her strong passion for soul and funk.

She was offered a record deal with Sony's Epic Records in 1998, which led to her debut release the next year.

"On How Life Is" highlighted Gray's unique vocal skills and infectious bursts of energy. The record is a collection of autobiographical tales that were best represented by the album's hit single "I Try."

With the release of her follow-up album "The Id" in 2001, Gray fell victim to disappointing record sales, which is often the case with post-breakout second albums. "The Id" failed to impress critics and audiences with its bombastic productions that merely appeared to serve as a platform for Gray's idiosyncrasies.