Jensen Paige McRae[3] (born September 10, 1997)[4] is an American singer-songwriter and poet. She gained prominence for her debut singles "White Boy" (2019) and "Wolves" (2020). Her music has been recommended by Rolling Stone, Vulture, Nylon, NPR, and The Fader.[5][6][7] Her debut EP Who Hurt You? was released on June 25, 2021, followed by her debut studio album Are You Happy Now?, which was released on March 22, 2022.
Jensen McRae | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 10, 1997 Santa Monica, California |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, poet |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, guitar |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels |
|
Early life and education
editMcRae was born in Santa Monica, California[8] and raised in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.[9][10] She is of Black and Jewish descent.[10] She has been singing since childhood and began to study piano at age 7.[7] Her early music influences were Carole King, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, and Alicia Keys.[7] She attended a summer program, Grammy Camp, during high school, which helped her decide to pursue music as a career path.[7]
McRae received a bachelor’s degree in popular music performance from USC Thornton School of Music on a full-ride scholarship.[7][11]
Artistry
editMcRae is compared to folk artists like Tracy Chapman and describes her music as "folk-alternative-pop".[7] She is an alto.[10] She said that music industry professionals attempt to box her music into r&b and soul because she's a Black artist.[7] Her music was described by WNUR: "Her rich, soothing voice complements the poised rebellion rooted in her socially and politically conscious lyrics."[7][9] Her lyrics frequently reference personal experiences and larger social and political themes.[9]
Career
edit2017-2018: Early EPs
editMcRae released her first two EPs online during college, Lighter (2017) and Milkshakes (2018).[12]
2019-2021: Debut Singles
editHer debut single "White Boy" was released after her college graduation in 2019, followed by "Wolves" in 2020.[7][9]
In March 2020 she released "The Plague" in reference to the United States government's failure to respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
In January 2021, McRae tweeted "in 2023 Phoebe Bridgers is gonna drop her third album & the opening track will be about hooking up in the car while waiting in line to get vaccinated at dodger stadium and it’s gonna make me cry." The Tweet went viral, and Bridgers also retweeted it.[13] Soon after she released the parody vaccination theme song "Immune" in the style of Bridgers,[6] produced by Rahki.[6] That month she also collaborated with fellow Black folk artist Joy Oladokun on the track "Wish You the Best".[10]
2021-2022: Who Hurt You? and Are You Happy Now?
editIn March 2021 she released the track "Starting To Get To You," which was named one of NPR's 16 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing.[13]
Her debut extended play Who Hurt You? was released on June 22, 2021.[14] On February 22, 2022 McRae announced her debut studio album Are You Happy Now?. It was released on March 22, 2022 and features all of the songs from Who Hurt You? except "Immune".[15]
2023-Present: It Wasn't Supposed To Be Like This... and "Massachusetts"
editOn September 20, 2023, McRae released the visual EP It Wasn't Supposed To Be Like This... on her Youtube channel. In November 2023, she uploaded the first verse and chorus of an unnamed song that garnered popularity on TikTok.[16] She released the song under the name "Massachusetts" on June 11, 2024. This was her first release after signing with record label Dead Oceans.
Openers
edit- Noah Kahan - The Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) Tour (2024)
- MUNA - North American Tour (2022)
- Maude Latour (2022)
Discography
edit| Jensen McRae discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 1 |
| EPs | 1 |
| Singles | 10 |
Studio album
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Are You Happy Now? |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Who Hurt You? |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "White Boy" | 2019 | Who Hurt You? and Are You Happy Now? |
| "Wolves" | 2020 | |
| "The Plague" | Non-album single | |
| "Strange Fruit" | I Can't Breathe / Music for the Movement | |
| "Immune" | 2021 | Who Hurt You? |
| "skip.that.party" (with X Ambassadors) |
Non-album single | |
| "Starting to Get You" | Who Hurt You? and Are You Happy Now? | |
| "Gone" (with Chiiild) |
Hope For Sale | |
| "My Ego Dies at the End" | Are You Happy Now? | |
| "Happy Girl" | 2022 | |
| "Massachusetts" | 2024 | Non-album single |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Wish You the Best" (Joy Oladokun featuring Jensen McRae) |
2021 | In Defense of My Own Happiness |
Accolades
editReferences
edit- ^ "Jensen McRae Artist Bio". AllMusic. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Robinson, Chloe (28 June 2021). "JENSEN MCRAE STUNS WITH STIRRING EP 'WHO HURT YOU?'". Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "ADAM S RIBS". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "17 Emerging Musicians To Watch In 2021". NPR.org. 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ^ a b Wang, Steffanee (2020-03-30). "Jensen McRae's "The Plague" Is A Timely, Crucial Listen". Nylon. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ a b c Shaffer, Claire (2021-01-28). "Jensen McRae Turns Her Viral Phoebe Bridgers Parody Into a Real Song". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Shanfeld, Ethan (2020-04-13). "A Conversation with Jensen McRae". WNUR. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ Rashed, Ayana (2021-01-27). "Jensen Mcrae Shares "Immune"; Debut Project Slated For 2021". Respect Mag.
- ^ a b c d "NEW NOISE: JENSEN MCRAE". Wonderland. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ a b c d Castel, Gregory (2021-02-11). "Jensen McRae is having a moment for Black artists in folk [Interview]". EARMILK. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ a b "Jensen McRae named to #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021". music.usc.edu. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ Stories, Local (2019-04-02). "Meet Jensen McRae - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ a b "Heavy Rotation: 16 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing". NPR.org. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ Murphy, Chris (2021-01-28). "That Perfect Fake Cover of a Phoebe Bridgers Song Is Now a Perfect Real Song". Vulture. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ Chelonsky, Danielle (February 22, 2022). "Jensen McRae Announces Her New Album 'Are You Happy Now?' And Releases The Emotional Single 'Happy Girl'". Uproxx. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ La Jeunesse, Marilyn (2024-03-08). "Jensen McRae Wants Her Songs to Cut Straight to the Heart". Elite Daily. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ Gardner, Alex; Moore, Jacob (2020-03-24). "Best New Artists of the Month (March)". Complex. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "BEST OF 2020 MUSIC: Songs, albums, and artists that shined in a WTF year". KCRW. 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2021-04-11.