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“I treat the internet with respect because it literally turns you into the dirtiest, angriest, least grounded person you can be.”
Now, Gray's YouTube channel begins with his first Angel video (aptly titled “Let Me Introducing Myself”) posted 11 years ago, followed by “Getting a Record Deal” three years later. Within a few years, his thumbnail evolved from a homemade video blog in lowercase letters to a professional music video dotted with the VEVO logo.
“I never thought I would actually become a singer from there,” he continues. “I didn't think that was realistic because I'm from a completely normal town and I come from a family. Well, a very strange family actually,” he warns, “but I… I'm definitely not a Nepobaby!'' Despite his rapid growth, Gray tries to stay grounded in who he is. “For me, it's essential to act like a human being and actually live an authentic life,” he nods. “Maybe if I didn't write the songs myself, I wouldn't have cared so much. But I am, and I have to live a life that I can actually relate to.”
Gray's current priority is finding friends to have coffee with. “I have about four close friends who are basically family, but I don't really know anyone. I'm trying to change that.” Seems like an oddly specific goal, doesn't it? “I feel like I need to get better as a member of society,'' he says with a laugh. “I'm really bad at having friends who just drink coffee and don't want to get married.”
But despite industry trends and internet noise, Gray has found it surprisingly easy to stay calm. As he prepares to release his most technicolor, pop-star-esque album yet, he's working just as hard behind the scenes to maintain his resolute humanity.
“At the end of the day, this is music, and it's literally about emotion. If you like the music you're making and it's moving people, you win,” he says. “But I'm really grateful. I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to have a roof over my head. I'm not trying to say, 'Where's my yellow M&M?' Of course, there are days when I feel overwhelmed after not seeing my friends for months, but at the end of the day, it's a huge honor. So I have to shut up. ”
“Found Heaven” is out now on Island Records.