JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM when her publisher introduced her to London-based producer Alex “da Kid” Grant. “When I heard Alex da Kid’s tracks, I knew I had found my partner in crime,” says the Wisconsin native, 26. “My favorite thing about working with him is that he’s not afraid to tell me when he doesn’t like something. Not that he’s always right, but it always pushes me to do my best work. In the past, most people liked everything I did, which didn’t allow me to grow.” Grey, Alex da Kid and Eminem penned the latter’s hit “Love the Way You Lie,” the best-selling single of 2010. Grey’s own recording of the song was released in January on the EP The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey, along with her versions of Diddy-Dirty Money and Fiasco hits she co-wrote. “People were constantly asking me if I had full versions of these songs without the raps,” says Grey. “These three versions already existed, so I thought, ‘Why not record them?’ I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. I just put out the EP so P . R . Brown fans could have access.” The upcoming Invinsible embraces hip-hop beats, a more alternative pop sound and a fresh approach to the recording process. “In the past, I was a bit anti- new technology and recorded everything SKYLAR GREY with real instruments on tape. I thought that making music with computers was You know her voice from hip-hop hits—now it’s cheating,” Grey says. “But I got over that time to get to know her once I started hearing people making some incredible music with computers.” Casual NOT MANY ARTISTS RACK UP FOUR “Being a songwriter is a great life, but I can’t fans still know Grey’s songs better than Grammy nominations before releasing a imagine ever leaving behind recording,” says they know her name, but she doesn’t regret debut album, but Skylar Grey’s career has Grey. “If I was just a songwriter I would lose her indirect introduction to pop radio. “I am hardly followed a traditional path. After writing my love for music very quickly, because it very grateful for the success that writing for hits and singing hooks for acts like Eminem, would suddenly feel like such a job.” other people has brought me.” She says. Dr. Dre and Lupe Fiasco, Grey is preparing After some frustrating false starts, “But being an artist is what I live for.” to release her own debut album, Invinsible. Grey’s solo career began to take shape –Amanda Farah man responsible for upbeat pop radio hits such as “I Don’t Want over. It was devastating. You take a lot of time off the road to make to Be” and “Chariot.” In fact, his recovery gave him a renewed an album and sacrifice income. Essentially, I all but disappeared.” sense of purpose a decade into his career. After “I Don’t Want Determined to make a fresh start, he changed his routine to Be” became a breakthrough hit in 2004, he found himself on Sweeter. For the first time, DeGraw worked with other writers challenged by success. “It’s an insane amount of work, and it’s including OneRepublic frontman and in-demand producer Ryan frustrating at times,” he says. “It can be really tough on you, so it Tedder. That artistic experimentation paid off. The first single from feels good to see the results. At the time, I didn’t know my song was the album, “Not Over You,” went platinum and returned him to pop everywhere. I just kept showing up to more interviews and started radio. He was also selected as the opening act for the 2011 tour noticing more people came to the shows.” by Maroon 5 and Train, and performed with both acts each night. But the forward momentum stalled during the process of It’s that spirit of collaboration that DeGraw, 35, appreciates most JANUARY/FEBRUARYrecording DeGraw’s self-titled 2012 2008 Msophomore MUSIC album. & PMUSICIANSroblems about the MAGAZINE music world. “In pop music, it seems everybody is so included a songbook that was stolen at a neighborhood restaurant separate from one another,” he says. “In other genres, artists seem to and delay-causing disagreements with his record label. “That collaborate a lot more. I enjoy working with others. I love the chance to P atrick atrick tremendous hiatus was really aggravating,” DeGraw says. “I had create something and learn from what they do.” F raser nearly completed the second album and was essentially told to start –Blake Boldt 19 MARCH/APRIL 2011 M MUSIC & MUSICIANS MAGAZINE M mag 17.indd 19 2/26/12 9:58:19 PM.