Conan Gray Key Facts
| Full Name | Conan Lee Gray |
|---|---|
| Birthday | December 5, 1998 |
| Age | 24 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, United States |
| Height | 5‘ 8" |
| Net Worth | $4 million |
| Signed To | Republic Records (2018-Present) |
| Social Media | Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube |
Conan Lee Gray is an American singer/songwriter from California and Texas. He signed to Republic Records in 2018 and has since risen to become one of the most prominent Gen Z pop stars. Conan is renowned for his candid lyrics exploring youth, identity, and heartbreak. Through his musical evolution and close fan connection, he has cultivated an incredibly passionate global following.
Early Life and Discovery of Music
Conan Gray was born on December 5, 1998 in San Diego, California, and later moved to the small town of Georgetown, Texas during childhood. He had an isolated upbringing, being homeschooled by his mother and having no neighborhood kids to socialize with.
To combat loneliness, Conan turned to the arts, teaching himself how to play various instruments, animate, draw, and write stories and songs. At age 13, he began sharing his art on YouTube, including covers and original songs.
Music became Conan‘s passion and emotional outlet. Influenced by his mother‘s favorite artists like The Carpenters, Minnie Riperton, and ABBA, he developed a unique dreamy pop style. By 16, Conan had written and produced his first original song “Idle Town”, about small-town boredom. The lo-fi melancholic anthem quickly gained traction online.
Rise to Fame on YouTube (2015-2018)
Conan built a YouTube following from 2015-2018 by vlogging about his life and releasing original songs filmed in his childhood bedroom. DIY videos like “The Story” connected with fellow lonely, confused teens who related to his candid lyrics.
In 2017, "The Story" gained major traction for its raw depiction of unrequited love. Conan leveraged his underdog narrative by selling merchandise and communicating directly with his growing fanbase, "Team Conan".
Though still an internet artist, Conan‘s vulnerable songwriting earned him press features and millions of streams. After graduating high school in Texas, Conan moved to LA in 2018 to pursue music full-time. His breakthrough was imminent.
Debut EP Sunset Season: Conan‘s Confessional Pop (November 2018)
On November 16, 2018, Conan released his first EP Sunset Season, including the hits "Generation Why" and "Crush Culture". The candid songs explore his confusion about society and sexuality from a Gen Z perspective.
Sunset Season earned Conan more mainstream buzz and press acclaim for his intentional pop sound and soul-baring lyricism. In 2019 he embarked on his first North American headline tour, connecting deeply with crowds through his quirky humor and cathartic anthems.
Seeing Conan‘s charisma live facilitated an even more dedicated fanbase that related to his candid personality. Conan was propelled into the stratosphere with his debut still on the horizon.
Explosion into Stardom with Debut Album Kid Krow (March 2020)
On March 20, 2020, Conan released his first studio album Kid Krow, anchored by the juggernaut hit "Heather". The album shocked the industry by debuting at #5 on the Billboard 200 with no label support, breaking the record for the highest charting debut by an independent artist.
"Heather" and follow-up single "Maniac" gained massive popularity on TikTok, dominating Spotify‘s Viral 50 charts for weeks. By the end of 2020, Conan became the #1 streamed new artist on Spotify globally.
Kid Krow demonstrated Conan‘s artistic growth with slick pop production while still retaining the vulnerability Gen Z connected with. The project cemented Conan as a voice of his generation and a pop force to be reckoned with.
Evolution of Sound and Influences
While Conan‘s early music had a lo-fi, acoustic bedroom pop sound, his music progressively incorporated more lush electronic and pop production. However, the candid lyricism and relatability remained at his core.
Conan‘s early inspirations were musicians his mom enjoyed – The Carpenters, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Riperton. Fellow lyricists Lorde, Troye Sivan, and Frank Ocean also heavily influenced his intimate confessional style.
As Conan continued honing his sound, he took cues from pop greats like Robyn, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kate Bush. But influences like Bon Iver and James Blake also seeped into his work. Conan crafted a distinctive dreamy indie-pop hybrid encompassing many genres.
Sophomore Album Superache and Continued Domination (June 2022)
On June 24, 2022, Conan released his second album, Superache, focusing on the pain of a breakup. It became his second #1 album on the Billboard 200.
Standout track "People Watching" gained over 200 million Spotify streams, topping alternative radio charts around the world. Superache demonstrates Conan‘s continued evolution with a more mature indie-pop/rock sound. However, his candid Gen Z lyricism remains the anchor.
Conan promoted Superache with his biggest North American tour playing arenas like Madison Square Garden. He continues breaking records and selling out shows worldwide, cementing his status as a top voice of his generation.
Identity, Activism and Connecting with Fans
Beyond his music, Conan has connected through publicly grappling with his identity. In April 2021, he came out as gay and non-binary, explaining how he first felt shame about his identity growing up in a conservative Texas town.
By fearlessly embracing who he is, even when it felt isolating, Conan has become a role model for LGBTQ+ youth and anyone who feels marginalized. His openness about battling depression has also comforted fans who feel alone with their mental health struggles.
Conan frequently communicates with his supportive fanbase directly through livestreams, social media, and exclusive fan events. During tours, he hosts immersive pop-up shops where fans can meet him in person. He also held a fan prom event in 2022, demonstrating his hands-on connection with supporters.
Impact and Legacy
At 24, Conan has already made an enormous impact on pop music and culture. He has pushed the genre forward with his unfiltered lyricism and shown the power of community between musical artists and listeners.
The vulnerability Conan leads with has allowed so many to feel seen, giving a voice to outcasts. He has torn down boundaries by being open about struggles with identity, mental health, and loneliness.
With each new era Conan enters, he continues to subvert pop expectations. There‘s no limit to the cultural influence he can have by remaining groundbreakingly candid while reaching the masses. Conan Gray represents the future of pop – one where humanity, empathy, and authenticity win out over manufactured illusion.