Griff (singer)
Sarah Faith Griffiths (born 21 January 2001), known professionally as Griff, is an English singer and songwriter. In 2019, she released her debut single, "Mirror Talk", through Warner Records. This was followed by her debut extended play of the same name, released later that year. Griff was named the Rising Star at the 2021 Brit Awards, becoming one of the youngest winners in the category at 20. Later that year, she released her debut mixtape, One Foot in Front of the Other, to commercial success and critical acclaim.
Griff | |
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Griff in 2022 | |
| Born | Sarah Faith Griffiths 21 January 2001 Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2019–present |
| Awards | Brit Award for Rising Star (2021) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) |
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| Labels | Warner |
| Website | officialgriff |
Early life and education Edit
Griff was born on 21 January 2001 as Sarah Faith Griffiths,[2] in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.[3] Her father Mark is the son of Jamaican immigrants who were part of the "Windrush generation", and her mother Kim is a first-generation migrant whose family moved to England amid the Vietnam War.[4] Griff has stated that she feels "more in touch with my Chinese side".[3] Griff's parents foster children and her experiences with the children were reflected in her song "Good Stuff".[5]
Griff stated that her earliest memory of loving music was being gifted an iPod Shuffle with the Taylor Swift album Fearless (2008) downloaded to it,[6] when she was around the age of eight.[7] She then taught herself to record and produce music on her older brother's laptop, and used tutorials on YouTube to inform her on techniques.[3] While attending St Clement Danes School, Griff kept her musical life private, due to not knowing if her musical career would be successful, stating: "no one likes that person at school who talks about how they want to sing".[3][4] After finishing her A Levels, she told teachers that she was taking a gap year, rather than informing them on her music ventures.[3] On using the stage name Griff, she stated: "Sarah Griffiths isn't that glamorous, I sound like I have a mortgage and 4 kids, it's very corporate".[7]
Griff's family are evangelical Christians and attended a central London branch of Hillsong Church. Of her own faith, Griff has said: "I guess if you grow up with Christian parents, you get to a point where you ask: “Okay, do I actually believe or am I just going through the motions?” And from a young age I felt like it was something I actually do believe and so it’s always been something that I’ve owned."[4]
Career Edit
On 4 July 2019, it was announced that Griff had been signed to Warner Records.[8] On the same day, she released her debut single "Mirror Talk", accompanied by a music video. Annie Mac featured the song on BBC Radio 1 under the New Name playlist.[9] She stated that the writing process for the song took an hour.[3] Griff described the release as a career highlight, since it was released immediately after she had finished her A Level exams.[6] Billboard described the song as an "electrifying debut", and praised her "powerful voice and vulnerable lyrics".[8] The next month, Griff released her follow-up single, "Didn't Break It Enough",[10] accompanied by a music video in which the clothing worn was made by Griff herself.[11][12] She released the single "Paradise" in October 2019,[13] which was followed by the release of her debut extended play, The Mirror Talk, on 15 November 2019.[14] In December 2019, Griff released a cover of the Bangles' 1989 song "Eternal Flame".[15]
On 7 February 2020, Griff released the single "Good Stuff". Despite people thinking the song is about a romantic breakup, she clarified that the subject of the song is about missing children that her family fostered, since they felt like siblings.[16] In March 2020, a song titled "I Love You's", that Griff co-wrote, was released by American singer Hailee Steinfeld.[17] This was followed by "Forgive Myself", a song released by Griff on 29 May 2020,[18] described by NME as an "anthem".[19] In July 2020, Griff was nominated by The Ivors Academy for an Ivor Novello Rising Star Award,[20] and later that month, she released the song "Say It Again".[21] In October 2020, she was part of two collaborative songs; "1,000,000 X Better" with English band Honne,[22] and "Inside Out", a song with German DJ Zedd.[23][24] In January 2021, she released "Black Hole", which NME described as a "dark pop anthem".[25] On 19 March 2021, Griff won the Brit Award for Rising Star and performed "Black Hole" at the 2021 ceremony.[26] Later that day, she announced details of her debut mixtape, One Foot in Front of the Other, which was released on 18 June 2021.[27] Two months later, Griff followed up the mixtape with single "One Night".[28] In October 2021, she embarked on a tour across the United Kingdom in support of her mixtape.[29] The European tour dates originally announced for 2021 have been rescheduled to March 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while additional shows have been added in the US and Canada, set to take place in January and February 2022.[30] In November 2021, Dua Lipa announced Griff, Tove Lo and Angèle as the three supporting acts for the European dates of the Future Nostalgia Tour scheduled between April and June 2022.[31]
From May 17 to 21, with the exception of May 19, Griff served as one of the opening acts for Coldplay during their Music of the Spheres Tour in Portugal. These performances took place in the City of Coimbra, at the renowned Estádio Cidade de Coimbra.
Discography Edit
Mixtapes Edit
| Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK [2] | IRE [32] | ||
| One Foot in Front of the Other | 4 | 85 | |
Extended plays Edit
| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| The Mirror Talk |
|
| Vert1go Vol. 1 |
|
Singles Edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [2] | BEL (FL) Tip [33] | IRE [32] | NZ Hot [34] | ||||
| "Mirror Talk" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | The Mirror Talk | |
| "Didn't Break It Enough" | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Paradise" | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Eternal Flame" | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| "Good Stuff" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Forgive Myself" | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Say It Again" | — | — | — | — | |||
| "1,000,000 X Better" (with Honne) | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Inside Out" (with Zedd) | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Love Is a Compass" (Disney supporting Make-A-Wish) | 42 | 9 | — | — | |||
| "Black Hole" | 2021 | 18 | 28 | 25 | 16 | One Foot in Front of the Other | |
| "One Foot in Front of the Other" | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Shade of Yellow" | — | — | — | 26 | |||
| "One Night" | 45 | — | 85 | — |
| Non-album singles | |
| "Head on Fire" (with Sigrid)[36] | 2022 | 44 | — | — | 35 | ||
| "Walk"[37] | 2023 | — | — | — | — | One Foot in Front of the Other | |
| "Vertigo" | 84 | — | — | 23 | Vert1go Vol. 1 | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Music videos Edit
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Mirror Talk" | 2019 | Sylvie Weber |
| "Didn't Break It Enough" | Rory DCS | |
| "Paradise" | Unknown | |
| "Good Stuff" | 2020 | Imogen Snell and Riccardo Castaneo |
| "Forgive Myself" | ||
| "Love is a Compass" | Maria Goulamhoussen | |
| "Say It Again" | Stephen Isaac-Wilson | |
| "Black Hole" | 2021 | Joe Shaw and Eseosa Ohen (SOB) |
| "One Foot in Front of the Other" | Stephen Isaac-Wilson | |
| "One Night" | ABCDCD | |
| "Head on Fire" | 2022 | CC Wade |
Songwriting credits Edit
| Title | Artist | Year | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "I Love You's" | Hailee Steinfeld | 2020 | Half Written Story | Co-writer |
| "Angry man" | Kawala | 2021 | Paradise Heights | Co-writer |
| "Happy Hunting Ground" | Maisie Peters | 2021 | Trying: Season 2 | Co-writer, performer |
| "Minute" | Kim Petras | 2023 | Feed the Beast | Co-writer |
Notes Edit
Awards and nominations Edit
| Organisation | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC | 2021 | Sound of 2021 | Herself | Fifth | [38] |
| Brit Awards | Rising Star | Herself | Won | [39][26] | |
| MTV UK | Push One to Watch | Herself | Nominated | [40] | |
| LOS40 Music Awards | Best International New Act | Herself | Won | [41][42] | |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New | Herself | Nominated | [43] | |
| Best Push | Herself | Nominated | [43] | ||
| BBC Radio 1 | Hottest Record of the Year | "Black Hole" | Fifth | [44][45] | |
| Popjustice £20 Music Prize | Best British Pop Single | Nominated | [46] | ||
| Brit Awards | 2022 | Best New Artist | Herself | Nominated | [47] |
| Best Pop/R&B Act | Nominated | [47] | |||
| NME Awards | NME Radar Award | Won | [48] | ||
| Best Collaboration | "Head on Fire" (with Sigrid) | Won | [49] | ||
| Ticketmaster New Music Award | New Music Award | Herself | Won | [50] |
References Edit
- ^ "Up and coming R&B vocalist, Griff, releases song/video for "Mirror Talk"". That Music Mag. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
Up and coming R&B/pop vocalist, Griff, shares her brand new track, "Mirror Talk,"
- ^ a b c "Griff | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "griff is the uk teen talking you out of negative body image with her pop music". i-D. 8 July 2019. from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Godwin, Richard (10 June 2021). "'Get out of the way, all of you': Brit Rising Star Griff on her sky-high ambition". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "Premiere: Multi-Disciplined Soul Singer Griff Copes With Separation By Remembering The "Good Stuff"". Complex. 11 February 2020. from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b "get to know: griff". 29 August 2019. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Notion 86: Griff". Notion. 12 August 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Griff Signs to Warner Records, Makes Electrifying Debut With 'Mirror Talk': Exclusive". Billboard. 4 July 2019. from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff Releases Debut Track And Video MIRROR TALK". BroadwayWorld.com. 9 July 2019. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "GRIFF REVEALS NEW TRACK "DIDN'T BREAK IT ENOUGH"". Elicit Magazine. from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff Continues Her Precocious Rise With 'Didn't Break It Enough'". Clash. 2 September 2019. from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff faces down the frustratingly illogical lows of post-breakup funk on "Didn't Break It Enough"". The Line of Best Fit. 2 September 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Rising Star Griff Has Just Released A New Single That'll Take You To 'Paradise'". Cool Accidents. 25 October 2019. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "U.K.'s Brightest New Pop Star, GRIFF Releases 'The Mirror Talk' EP". Rain. 15 November 2019. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "GRIFF RELEASES NEW HOLIDAY TRACK "ETERNAL FLAME"". Elicit Magazine. from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff Is a Star in the Making". Ones to Watch. 11 February 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Hailee Steinfeld Shines In Brand New Song "I Love You's"". TellyMix. 26 March 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "UK Pop Artist Griff Drops Tender Empowerment Anthem "Forgive Myself"". The Music Mermaid. 18 June 2020. from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff: British pop phenomenon taking control of their destiny". NME. 3 June 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Ivor Novello nominee Griff further proves her pop prodigy calibre with "Say It Again"". The Line of Best Fit. 6 August 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff launches video for new single, 'Say It Again'". WithGuitars. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "GRIFF Releases Stellar New Single 1,000,000 X Better With HONNE". Melodic. 2 October 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Listen to a Preview of Zedd's Upcoming Single "Inside Out" With Blossoming UK Pop Singer Griff". EDM.com. 20 June 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Zedd Recruits Griff For Fresh New Single 'Inside Out'". Cultr. 23 October 2020. from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Griff shares new dark pop anthem 'Black Hole'". NME. from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Brit Awards 2021: Pop singer Griff wins Rising Star prize". BBC News. 19 March 2021. from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- ^ "Griff details new mixtape One Foot In Front Of The Other after winning BRITs Rising Star award 2021". The Line of Best Fit. 19 March 2021.
- ^ Richards, Will (26 August 2021). "Griff returns with euphoric new single 'One Night'". NME. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Stickler, Jon (19 March 2021). "Griff Wins Brits Rising Star Award, Announces Mixtape 'One Foot In Front Of The Other' And UK Tour". Stereoboard. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Chelsea (4 November 2021). "Griff announces rescheduled date for headline show at Dublin's Academy". Hotpress. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ Jones, Damian (22 November 2021). "DUA LIPA announces Tove Lo, Griff and Angèle as support for 2022 UK/European tour". NME. from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Discography Griff". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
- ^ "Discografie Griff". Ultratop (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
- "Black Hole" and "Shade of Yellow": "NZ Hot Singles Chart for week of 27 June 2021". Recorded Music NZ. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- "Head on Fire": "Hot Singles Chart for week of 30 January 2022". Recorded Music NZ. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- "Vertigo": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ a b "British certifications – Griff". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 February 2023. Type Griff in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Wade, Ian (3 January 2022). "Sigrid and Griff share collaboration snippet". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Walk (In The Room) - Single by Griff". Apple Music. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Youngs, Ian (6 January 2021). "Rapper Pa Salieu wins BBC Sound of 2021: 'I am the voice of the voiceless'". BBC News. from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ Savage, Mark (11 March 2021). "Brit Awards: Griff, Pa Salieu and Rina Sawayama nominated for rising star prize". BBC News. from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ "Meet Our MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021 Shortlist... | MTV UK". Mtv.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ LOS40. "LOS40 Music Awards 2021". LOS40 (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ LOS40 (13 November 2021). "LOS40 Music Awards 2021 Illes Balears: La emoción del reencuentro en la noche triunfal de Ed Sheeran". LOS40 (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Justin Bieber Leads 2021 MTV EMA Nominations". Billboard.com. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Future Sounds with Clara Amfo - Radio 1's Hottest Record of the Year 2021 - Vote for your favourite!". BBC. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "Record of the Day - In tune. Informed. Indispensable". Recordoftheday.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "The Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize • Popjustice".
- ^ a b "The nominees for the 2022 BRIT Awards have been revealed". NME. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "BandLab NME Awards 2022: Winners". Nme.com. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ "BandLab NME Awards 2022: Nominees". NME.
- ^ "O2 Silver Clef Awards". Nordoff Robbins. Retrieved 7 July 2022.