Skylar Grey

Holly Brook Hafermann (born February 23, 1986), known professionally as Skylar Grey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer.

In 2004, at the age of 17, Grey signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and a recording contract with Linkin Park's Machine Shop Recordings under the name Holly Brook.

Grey co-wrote "Done With Like" and "She Said" with Jon Ingoldsby and American actress Brie Larson for Larson's first and only album, Finally Out of P.E. (2005).

In 2005, Grey was featured on American hip hop group Fort Minor's songs, "Where'd You Go" and "Be Somebody".

Her debut studio album, Like Blood Like Honey (2006), served as her only release with the label.

"Where'd You Go" was released as a single on April 14, 2006, with an accompanying music video following soon after.

The song gained commercial success and ended up becoming a top four hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also became certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

After working with music producer Jonathan Ingoldsby, Grey released her debut album, titled Like Blood Like Honey, on June 6, 2006, under Warner Bros. Records.

The album peaked at number 35 on Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.

During this time, Grey had landed opening spots for concert tours with Jamie Cullum, k.d. lang, Daniel Powter, Teddy Geiger and Duncan Sheik.

Through Machine Shop Records, Grey worked with Linkin Park affiliates Styles of Beyond and Apathy.

She was featured on two tracks, "Victim" and "No Sad Tomorrow", from Apathy's second studio album, Wanna Snuggle? (2009).

Grey toured as part of Duncan Sheik's band and contributed substantially to his 2009 album, Whisper House.

In 2009, Grey sang backing vocals on Eurovision contestant Yohanna's debut album, Butterflies and Elvis.

In August 2009, still under the name Holly Brook, she lent both her song "It's Raining Again" and her image to a promotional campaign for Ciao Water.

In 2010, Grey co-wrote Eminem's hit single "Love the Way You Lie" with producer Alex da Kid, who then signed Grey to his record label Kidinakorner, an imprint of Interscope Records.

In early 2010, she performed in the theatrical version of "Whisper House," playing one of the two lead ghost vocalists, along with David Poe.

On June 10, 2010, she self-released the seven-song extended play (EP), O’Dark:Thirty.

Production of the EP was handled by Duncan Sheik and Jon Ingoldsby.

Brook later changed her stage name to Skylar Grey.

While still living in Oregon, Grey visited New York to meet her publisher Jennifer Blakeman, to seek help presenting her work.

Blakeman had suggested that she work with English producer Alex da Kid.

Alex da Kid then sent Grey a few tracks that he had been working on, the first song finished being "Love the Way You Lie".

The song was given to American rapper Eminem (who wrote the verses) and Barbadian singer Rihanna.

Their song became a worldwide hit, reaching number one on 26 charts and being nominated for four Grammy Awards.

Grey received a Song of the Year Grammy nomination for "Love the Way You Lie".

In 2010, Grey also co-wrote and was featured on Diddy – Dirty Money's single "Coming Home", which gained massive commercial success.

Also in 2010, Grey co-wrote "Castle Walls" by American rapper T.I. and American pop singer Christina Aguilera.

On February 1, 2011, American renowned hip hop producer Dr. Dre released a song titled "I Need a Doctor", featuring Eminem and Grey.

"I Need a Doctor" managed to peak at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

The song garnered Grey several Grammy nominations.

Grey wrote the hook to all three versions of "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna, and even recorded a solo version that was later featured on her fourth EP, The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey (2012).

Alex da Kid went on to sign Skylar Grey to a production deal on his KIDinaKORNER record label imprint.

Grey's second album, Don't Look Down (2013) peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, while her third album, Natural Causes (2016) was met with critical acclaim despite failing to chart.

Her 2021 single, "Last One Standing" (with Polo G, Mozzy and Eminem) marked her first entry—at number 78—on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist.

The following year, her self-titled fourth album (2022) was released independently to continued acclaim.

Grey is also known for providing guest vocals on several hit singles, such as Fort Minor's "Where'd You Go", Diddy's "Coming Home", Dr. Dre's "I Need a Doctor", Nicki Minaj's "Bed of Lies", and Macklemore's "Glorious".

Additionally, she has written songs for a number of prominent performers including Kehlani, G-Eazy, Alicia Keys, Ciara, Christina Aguilera, Zedd, Nick Jonas, Céline Dion, and CeeLo Green.

As a child, Grey performed professionally in a folk duo with her mother, Candace Kreitlow, called Generations.

The group released three studio albums together.