Editing Macy Gray (section)

==Musical career==
[[File:Macy gray.jpg|thumb|upright|Gray in 1995]]
While attending the [[University of Southern California]], she agreed to write songs for a friend.<ref name=":1"/> A demo session was scheduled for the songs to be recorded by another singer, but the vocalist failed to appear, so Gray recorded them herself. 
{{blockquote|I started forming bands and writing songs just for fun and then I really got into it and got attached to it. Then a friend of mine asked me to be a singer in his jazz band. He gave me all these jazz CDs and I studied all these different singers and I kind of taught myself how to sing for a gig, but I didn't take it seriously until later.<ref name=Guardian6Sept12/>}}
She then met writer-producer Joe Solo while working as a cashier in Beverly Hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectrasonics.net/news/news-content.php?id=2 |title= Joe Solo Hits it 'Big' with Macy Gray and Stylus RMX |publisher= Spectrasonics |date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=May 5, 2013}}</ref> Together, they wrote a collection of songs and recorded them in Solo's studio. The demo tape gave Gray the opportunity to sing at jazz cafés in Los Angeles.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Macy Gray (1967- ) • |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/macy-gray-1967/ |access-date=March 8, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> Although Gray did not consider her unusual voice desirable for singing,<ref name=Guardian6Sept12/> [[Atlantic Records]] signed her. She began recording her debut record but was dropped from the label upon the departure of [[A&R]] man [[Tom Carolan]], who had signed her to the label.<ref name="Taxi Interview">{{cite web |url= http://www.taxi.com/transmitter/0308/vp-ar-lava-records.html|title= Tom Carolan Vice President of A&R, Lava Records|first= Doug |last= Minnick|date= August 2003|publisher= Taxi Transmitter |access-date=May 14, 2011}}</ref> Macy returned to Ohio but in 1997 Los Angeles based [[Zomba Label Group]] Senior VP A&R man [[Jeff Blue]], convinced her to return to music and signed her to a development deal, recording new songs based on her life experiences, with a new sound, and began shopping her to record labels.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1999/07/26/macys-parade|title=Macy's Parade|first= Louisa |last= Kamps|date=July 26, 1999|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=October 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Macy_Gray.aspx|title=Macy Gray|website= Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990|year= 2004 |publisher= The Gale Group, Inc.; republished online at Encyclopedia.com |access-date=October 27, 2015}}</ref> In 1998, she landed a record deal with [[Epic Records]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Steve |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133848,00.html |title=Shades of Gray – Macy Gray |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=March 12, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=January 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109200710/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133848,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> She performed on "Love Won't Wait", a song on the [[Black Eyed Peas]]' debut album ''[[Behind the Front]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/blackpeas.htm |title=Black Eyed Peas – guest program |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=March 10, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114155335/http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/blackpeas.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===1999–2001: ''On How Life Is''===
Gray worked on her debut album in 1999 with producer [[Darryl Swann]].<ref name="latimes2007">{{cite news| url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-mar-25-ca-rack25-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Odd charm works only so long for Macy Gray | date=March 25, 2007 | access-date=May 12, 2010 | first1=Richard | last1=Cromelin | first2=Natalie | last2=Nichols | first3=Soren | last3=Baker}}</ref> Released in the summer of 1999, ''[[On How Life Is]]'' became a worldwide smash.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sonybmg.com.au/artist/artistSiteLink.do?artistId%3D12467 |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208132300/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/artist/artistSiteLink.do?artistId=12467 |archive-date=December 8, 2008}}</ref> The first single, "[[Do Something (Macy Gray song)|Do Something]]", stalled on the charts, but the second single, "[[I Try]]", made the album a success.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/macy-gray-the-new-voice-of-soul-723699.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208030452/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/macy-gray-the-new-voice-of-soul-723699.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 8, 2008 | work=[[The Independent]] | location=London | title=Macy Gray: The new voice of soul | first=David | last=Usborne | date=March 4, 2000 | access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> "I Try" (which was originally featured in ''[[Love Jones (film)|Love Jones]]'' and the [[Jennifer Aniston]]-starring romantic-comedy ''[[Picture Perfect (1997 film)|Picture Perfect]]'' in 1997)<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/graymacy-trouble.shtml |first=Cynthia|last=Fuchs| title=Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself – PopMatters Music Review |work=PopMatters |date=August 1, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802161536/http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/graymacy-trouble.shtml|archive-date=August 2, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> was one of the biggest singles of 1999,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.alaskajim.com/charts/yearlysingles/1999.asp | title=Top Songs of 1999 – US Singles Charts | website=Alaskajim.com | access-date=January 2, 2011 | archive-date=November 1, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101004113/http://www.alaskajim.com/charts/yearlysingles/1999.asp | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allcharts.org/music/years/usa-singles-1999.htm |title=USA Top Singles For 1999 |publisher=Allcharts.org |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> and subsequent singles ("[[Still (Macy Gray song)|Still]]" and "[[Why Didn't You Call Me]]") ensured the album became triple platinum in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-macy-gray-koko-london-443292.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081208030457/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-macy-gray-koko-london-443292.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= December 8, 2008 | work=[[The Independent]] | location=London | title=First Night: Macy Gray, Koko, London | first=Ben | last=Walsh | date=April 4, 2007 | access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> and quadruple platinum in the UK.<ref name=cinnerview>{{cite web| url= http://www.chicagoinnerview.com/archives/jan04_macy_gray.htm| title= Macy Gray| first= Jim | last= Famera| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090212202605/http://www.chicagoinnerview.com/archives/jan04_macy_gray.htm |date= January 2003| archive-date=February 12, 2009}}</ref>

In [[43rd Grammy Awards|2001]], Gray won the [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] for "I Try", which was also nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] Grammys.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/21/grammy.night.01/index.html |work=[[CNN]] |url-status=dead |title=Madonna, Macy kick off Grammys |date=February 21, 2001|first=Jamie|last=Allen| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504091622/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/21/grammy.night.01/index.html |archive-date=May 4, 2008 }}</ref> She then collaborated with [[Fatboy Slim]], the Black Eyed Peas, and [[Slick Rick]] (on the song "The World Is Yours", from the ''[[Rush Hour 2]]'' soundtrack), as well as acting for the first time, in the thriller ''[[Training Day]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moss |first=Corey |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445242/20010718/gray_macy.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010721080917/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445242/20010718/gray_macy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2001 |title=Macy Gray, Ludacris, LL Cool J On 'Rush Hour 2' Soundtrack – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=[[MTV]] |date=July 18, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> In August 2001, Gray was booed at the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame Game|Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition game]] after forgetting the lyrics to the [[American national anthem]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010807/aponline133518_000.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111235956/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010807/aponline133518_000.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |title=Macy Gray Is Booed During Anthem |access-date=May 26, 2007|date=August 7, 2001 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

===2001–2005: ''The Id'' and ''The Trouble with Being Myself''===
[[File:FEMA - 14639 - Photograph by Ed Edahl taken on 09-04-2005 in Texas.jpg|thumb|240px|Gray visiting the Astrodome as a volunteer, in Houston, Texas, September 3, 2005]]
Gray's ''[[The Id (album)|The Id]]'' featured appearances by [[John Frusciante]] and [[Erykah Badu]] on the single "[[Sweet Baby (Macy Gray song)|Sweet Baby]]" (which was co-written with longtime collaborator Joe Solo).<ref>{{cite web|first= Teri |last= vanHorn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445307/20010720/gray_macy.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010726113118/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445307/20010720/gray_macy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2001 |title=Macy Gray Lets It All Hang Out on the Id – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=[[MTV]] |date=July 20, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> The album peaked at number eleven on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12037979 |title=Macy Gray News |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |access-date=January 2, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It fared even better in the UK, where it reached number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] and was certified gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]].<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-old-vicbrthe-rza-subterania-londonbrkelis-astoria-london-667141.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202145258/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-old-vicbrthe-rza-subterania-londonbrkelis-astoria-london-667141.html| url-status= dead| archive-date= December 2, 2008|title=Macy Gray : Old Vic| newspaper=[[The Independent]] | location=London | first=Simon | last=Price | date=August 27, 2001 | access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref>

In 2002, she appeared in ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'' and contributed a remix of her song "My Nutmeg Phantasy" to its accompanying soundtrack. Gray also worked with [[Carlos Santana|Santana]] on the track "Amoré (Sexo)", for his album ''[[Shaman (album)|Shaman]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first1= Teri |last1= vanHorn| first2= Tina| last2= Johnson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441621/20010313/gray_macy.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618212747/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441621/20010313/gray_macy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 18, 2001 |title=Macy Gray Plans The Id LP, 'Spider-Man' Role |publisher= [[MTV]] |date=March 13, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref><ref name="yahoo1">{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/ar-294045-news--Macy-Gray |title=Macy Gray |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224232313/http://music.yahoo.com/ar-294045-news--Macy-Gray |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref>

Also in 2002, she appeared on the [[Red Hot Organization]]'s compilation CD in tribute to Nigerian [[Afropop]] pioneer [[Fela Kuti]], ''[[Red Hot and Riot]]''. She appeared on a remake of Kuti's classic track "Water No Get Enemy" alongside prominent [[neo soul]], [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and R&B artists, [[D'Angelo]], [[the Soultronics]], [[Nile Rodgers]], [[Roy Hargrove]], and Kuti's son, [[Femi Kuti]].{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}

She recorded a duet with [[Zucchero]] called "Like the Sun (From Out of Nowhere)", which featured [[Jeff Beck]] on guitar released in 2004 on ''[[Zu & Co.]]'', a duet collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/zucchero-050906.shtml |title= Unito Nella Diversitá: A Chat with Zucchero| first= Nikki| last= Tranter |website=PopMatters |date= September 6, 2005 |url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060205104323/http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/zucchero-050906.shtml| archive-date= February 5, 2006 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ca.music.yahoo.com/Zucchero/Like-The-Sun-From-Out-Of-Nowhere/lyrics/21127475 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110718134307/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/Zucchero/Like-The-Sun-From-Out-Of-Nowhere/lyrics/21127475 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |title=Zucchero Like The Sun (From Out of Nowhere) lyrics on Yahoo! Music |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |access-date=January 2, 2011 }}</ref> Her song "Time of My Life" was included in the [[8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture|soundtrack to ''8 Mile'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nutsie.com/song/Time%20of%20My%20Life/4718121?album_id=4718104&artist_id=1001467 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226031248/http://www.nutsie.com/song/Time%20of%20My%20Life/4718121?album_id=4718104&artist_id=1001467 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2008 |title='Time of My Life' on 8 Mile (album, cd) by Macy Gray (artist) |website=nuTsie.com |access-date=January 2, 2011 }}</ref> A cartoon based on Gray's childhood was being developed, but it never came to fruition.<ref name="latimes2007"/><ref name="yahoo1"/>

In 2003, Gray released her third studio album, ''[[The Trouble with Being Myself]]'', to rave reviews.{{citation needed |date= October 2011}} The lead single, "[[When I See You]]", became a radio hit in the U.S. and a top-forty hit in the UK, although the album was not as well received by fans.<ref>{{cite web|first= Karu F. |last= Daniels|url= http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2007/02/05/macy-gray-back-into-the-swing-of-things/ |title=MACY GRAY: Back Into the Swing of Things – Entertainment Newswire |website= BlackVoices.com| publisher= [[AOL]] |date=February 5, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> Nevertheless, it became Gray's third top twenty album in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/macy_gray/reviews/5554 |title=Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself – Review |work=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517214128/http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/macy_gray/reviews/5554 |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/vxqv/ |title=Music – Review of Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=May 6, 2003 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> A greatest hits collection and a live album were subsequently released: ''[[The Very Best of Macy Gray]]'' (2004) and ''[[Live in Las Vegas (Macy Gray album)|Live in Las Vegas]]'' (2005). Additionally, Gray was featured on [[Marcus Miller]]'s 2005 album ''[[Silver Rain]]'', on a [[cover version|cover]] of [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s 1986 song "[[Girls & Boys (Prince song)|Girls & Boys]]". She also appeared on the soundtrack to the film ''[[Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago]]'' with [[Queen Latifah]] and [[Lil' Kim]] on "[[Cell Block Tango]]/He Had it Comin'".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12037435 |title=Lil' Kim News |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]|date=December 12, 2002 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124114731/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12037435 |archive-date=November 24, 2006 }}</ref>

===2007–2010: Return to music and ''Big''===
[[File:Macy Gray 2008.07.23 020.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Gray performing in Toronto, July 23, 2008]]
Gray began 2007 by being kicked off-stage at a concert in [[Barbados]] for profanity (which was part of the show), but she was not aware that it was against the law in that country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/macy-gray/25835 |title=Macy Gray almost arrested for swearing |work=NME |date=January 15, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> She gave a public apology that night to avoid arrest.<ref name="free-press-release1">{{cite web|url=http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200708/1187845462.html |title=Macy Gray and Mixed Chicks go "BIG" – Macy Gray, Music, Mixed Chicks |publisher=Free-press-release.com |date=August 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref>

In March, Gray released her fourth studio album (sixth overall), ''[[Big (album)|Big]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/28/235056.php |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090715082128/http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/28/235056.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2009 |title=New Album Releases, 3-27-2007: Macy Gray, Ego Plum, Tim McGraw, Warren Zevon re-issues |publisher=Blogcritics.org |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011 }}</ref> Two singles, "[[Finally Made Me Happy]]" and "[[Shoo Be Doo]]", were released from the album.<ref name="free-press-release1"/> "What I Gotta Do", another track from the album, is featured on the ''[[Shrek the Third]]'' soundtrack. It has been considered Gray's comeback album, after a four-year hiatus since her last studio album.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-koko-londonbrmutya-buena-borderline-london-443857.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208030502/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/macy-gray-koko-londonbrmutya-buena-borderline-london-443857.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 8, 2008 | title=Macy Gray, Koko, London Mutya Buena, Borderline London, A haircut does not a comeback make|work=[[The Independent]] | location=London | first=Simon | last=Price | date=April 8, 2007 | access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> The album was critically acclaimed and seen by some as her best work to date.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/why-macy-gray-is-big-over-here-401149.html | work=[[The Independent]] | location= London | title=Why Macy Gray is big over here | first=Susie | last=Mesure | date=September 2, 2007 | access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> It features collaborations with [[Natalie Cole]], [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]], [[Justin Timberlake]], and [[will.i.am]], who co-executive produced the album with Gray. It was moderately successful in the U.S., where it debuted and peaked at number 39 on the ''Billboard'' 200, becoming Gray's highest-charting album since ''The Id''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053163/mcgraw-leads-seven-top-10-debuts-onto-billboard-200 |first=Katie| last=Hasty|date=April 4, 2007|title=McGraw Leads Seven Top 10 Debuts Onto Billboard 200 |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> ''Big'' reached number 62 on the albums chart in the UK,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/album/14926 |title=Macy Gray – Big – Music Charts |website= Acharts.us |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> her lowest-charting UK album, but it achieved some success in several other countries, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Finland, reaching the Top 40 on their album charts.<ref>{{cite web| first= Steffen |last= Hung |url=http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Macy+Gray&titel=Winter+Wonderland&cat=s |title=Macy Gray – Winter Wonderland |publisher=swisscharts.com |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref>

[[PBS]]'s ''[[Soundstage (TV series)|Soundstage]]'' live concert series premiered a Gray concert on July 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/mgray/featured.htm |title=Soundstage . Macy Gray |publisher=PBS |date=July 5, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151259/http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/mgray/featured.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On July 7, 2007, Gray performed at the [[Live Earth concert, Rio de Janeiro|Brazilian leg]] of [[Live Earth]] at [[Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro|Copacabana]] Beach in [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/macygray |title=Live Earth Artist: Macy Gray |access-date=August 8, 2007 |work=[[Live Earth]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831062826/http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/macygray |archive-date=August 31, 2007 }}</ref> Gray and her band members wore clothes bearing political messages. Gray's dress carried the message "Darfur Red Alert".

In 2008, Gray launched a new campaign under the name "Nemesis Jaxson", with the single "Slap a Bitch".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videostatic.com/vs/2008/12/watch-it-macy-g.html |title=Music Video News: WATCH IT: Macy Gray "Slap A Bitch" |publisher=Video Static |date=December 12, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605140546/http://www.videostatic.com/vs/2008/12/watch-it-macy-g.html |archive-date=June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

Early in 2009, Gray recorded the song "Don't Forget Me" for the soundtrack of ''[[Confessions of a Shopaholic (film)|Confessions of a Shopaholic]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Shopaholic-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B001N6FPR8 |title= Confessions of a Shopaholic: Original Soundtrack: Music |website= Amazon |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref>

===2010–2011: ''The Sellout''===
The first single from Gray's fifth studio album ''[[The Sellout (album)|The Sellout]]'', "[[Beauty in the World]]", is featured in the final sequence of the series finale, "[[Hello Goodbye (Ugly Betty)|Hello Goodbye]]", of the ABC television series, ''[[Ugly Betty]]''. "Beauty in the World" was also used as the theme in multiple videos created by [[Microsoft]] to promote [[Internet Explorer 9]].{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} Both singles released from the album ("Beauty in the World" and "Lately") were top 10 hits on the US ''Billboard'' [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] Chart.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}

Upon its release, ''The Sellout'' received generally mixed reviews from most music critics. Metacritic gave it an average score of 57, based on 15 reviews;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/graymacy/thesellout |title=''The Sellout'' (2010): Reviews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623150705/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/graymacy/thesellout |archive-date=June 23, 2010|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref> Andy Gill of ''[[The Independent]]'' gave it three out of five stars; while [[AllMusic]] writer John Bush shared a similar sentiment and panned Gray's songwriting.<ref name= AMG>{{cite web |first=John |last= Bush |title=Review: ''The Sellout'' |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1737389|pure_url=yes}} |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date=June 24, 2010}}</ref>

However, ''[[The Boston Globe]]''{{'}}s James Reed commended its production,<ref name="Reed">{{cite news|last=Reed|first=James| url=https://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/06/21/macy_gray_the_sellout/ |title=Review: ''The Sellout''|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060224/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/06/21/macy_gray_the_sellout/ |date=June 21, 2010|archive-date=March 4, 2016|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref> and Jeremy Allen of ''[[NME]]'' gave the album a 7/10 rating.<ref name= Allen>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Jeremy|url= https://www.nme.com/reviews/11375 |title=Review: ''The Sellout''|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406164229/http://www.nme.com/reviews/11375 |date=June 18, 2010|archive-date=April 6, 2016|work=[[NME]]|access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref>

===2011–2015: ''Covered'', ''Talking Book'', and ''The Way''===
[[File:Macy Gray in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Jan Prunk (2013).JPG|thumb|Gray performs live at the 54th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on July 6, 2013.]]
In 2011, Gray signed a deal with [[429 Records]] and started recording a series of covers for her next studio album ''[[Covered (Macy Gray album)|Covered]]''. The album was officially released on March 26, 2012. The album's first single was "[[Here Comes the Rain Again]]" (originally performed by [[Eurythmics]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/429details/d_macygray.asp |title=Macy Gray |publisher=429 Records |date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402214327/http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/429details/d_macygray.asp |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> On February 16, 2012, Gray participated in the [[Sanremo Festival]] as a guest, performing alongside [[Gigi D'Alessio]] and [[Loredana Bertè]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.musicavideoblog.it/categorie/eventi/festival-di-sanremo-2012-macy-gray-in-duetto-con-gigi-dalessio-e-loredana-berte_art19853.html|title=Festival di Sanremo 2012: Macy Gray in duetto con Gigi D'Alessio e Loredana Bertè|newspaper=Musica Video Blog – Il primo video blog italiano dedicato al mondo della musica|access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203080941/http://www.musicavideoblog.it/categorie/eventi/festival-di-sanremo-2012-macy-gray-in-duetto-con-gigi-dalessio-e-loredana-berte_art19853.html|archive-date=February 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

For the 40th anniversary of the 1972 [[Stevie Wonder]] album ''[[Talking Book]]'', Gray covered the entire record and released her ''Talking Book'' as a tribute.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/10/macy-grays-cover-of-stevie-wonders-talking-book.html|first=Ben|last=Greenman|title= Macy Gray's album-length cover of Stevie Wonder]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325205012/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/10/macy-grays-cover-of-stevie-wonders-talking-book.html |archive-date=March 25, 2014|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=October 29, 2012}}</ref>

In an interview with [[Oprah Winfrey]]'s ''Where Are They Now'', Gray opened up about her problems with drug abuse, stating that she was ill-prepared for the level of fame she received. The interview coincided with the release of her album ''[[The Way (Macy Gray album)|The Way]]'', released in October 2014 on Kobalt Records. A world tour was announced shortly after its release.<ref name= HuffPostTheWay>{{cite web|title=Macy Gray on Her Drug Use And Reaction To Fame: 'I Was A Massive A**hole' (VIDEO) |url= https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/20/macy-gray-confessions-drug-use-fame_n_6005366.html?ir=Entertainmenttainment&ir=Entertainment|work=[[HuffPost]]|date = October 20, 2014|access-date=October 22, 2014}}</ref>

===2016–present: ''Stripped'' and ''Ruby''===
In 2016, Gray's career continued with an album produced by [[Chesky Records]], the record label founded by Grammy-nominated composer and musician [[David Chesky]]. ''[[Stripped (Macy Gray album)|Stripped]]'' was released September 9, 2016, and garnered almost unanimous praise from critics. The album debuted at No. 3 on the [[Billboard Chart|Billboard Jazz Chart]].<ref name= Stripped-Chesky/> Earlier that year, she was featured on [[Ariana Grande]]'s song "Leave Me Lonely" from her third studio album, ''[[Dangerous Woman]]''.

Gray released her tenth studio album, ''[[Ruby (Macy Gray album)|Ruby]]'', in September 2018.

===Other work===
In 2001, she was the voice for Seeiah Owens in the video game ''[[SSX Tricky]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/ssxtricky/news.html?sid=2816990 |title=Celebrities lend their voices to SSX Tricky – Xbox News at GameSpot |publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=December 10, 2001 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culturecartel.com/review.php?rid=10004216 |title=Electronic Arts – 2001 – SSX Tricky Games Review |website=CultureCartel.com |date=November 22, 2002 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708213417/http://www.culturecartel.com/review.php?rid=10004216 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref> Gray sang the theme song for the [[Nickelodeon]] animated series ''[[As Told by Ginger]]'', composed by [[Jared Faber]] and [[Emily Kapnek]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YVnFZoxC4U | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211109/3YVnFZoxC4U| archive-date=November 9, 2021 | url-status=live|title=As Told By Ginger (Theme Song) | date=August 19, 2008|via= [[YouTube]] |access-date=January 2, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Gray also performed the song on the short-lived [[UPN]] romantic comedy ''[[Second Time Around (TV series)|Second Time Around]]'' starring [[Boris Kodjoe]] and [[Nicole Ari Parker]] in 2004. In 2006 Gray appeared in the eighth season of Bravo's ''[[Celebrity Poker Showdown]]'', playing for [[Habitat for Humanity International|Habitat for Humanity]]. She finished in third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bravotv.com/Celebrity_Poker_Showdown/Players/About/Macy_Gray.shtml |title=Celebrity Poker Showdown |work=[[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]] |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208010829/http://www.bravotv.com/Celebrity_Poker_Showdown/Players/About/Macy_Gray.shtml |archive-date=December 8, 2008 }}</ref>

In August 2008, Gray headlined at the 2008 [[Summer Sundae]] music festival in [[Leicester]], England, performing cover versions of [[Rod Stewart]]'s "[[Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?]]", [[Deee-Lite]]'s "[[Groove Is in the Heart]]" and [[Radiohead]]'s "[[Creep (Radiohead song)|Creep]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.summersundae.com/lineup/artist-detail.php?cat_id=5&year=2008&artid=393445 |title=Summer Sundae Weekender |publisher=Summersundae.com |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220203508/http://www.summersundae.com/lineup/artist-detail.php?cat_id=5&year=2008&artid=393445 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For the gig, her band wore pink [[Andy Warhol]] wigs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20080808_sundae1.shtml |title=6 Music – Matt's Blog Day 1 |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=August 8, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> On September 28, 2008, Gray sang the American national anthem as part of the Israeli flag-raising ceremony at the [[List of diplomatic missions of Israel|Israeli consulate]] of Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bloomekatz|first= Ari B. |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-flag29-2008sep29,0,4260835.story |title=Consulate in Los Angeles raises Israeli flag|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101162930/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-flag29-2008sep29%2C0%2C4260835.story |archive-date=November 1, 2008|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 29, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last= Tugend| first= Tom| url= http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/item/israeli_flag_flies_at_consulate_for_first_time_20080928/ | archive-url= http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090725054212/http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/item/israeli_flag_flies_at_consulate_for_first_time_20080928/ | url-status= dead | archive-date= July 25, 2009 |title= Israeli flag flies at consulate for first time| work= [[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]]| date= September 29, 2008}}</ref> Also in 2008, Gray collaborated with Australian DJ and singer [[Kaz James]] on the song "[[Can't Hold Back (song)|Can't Hold Back]]". The single was released in early 2009 in Australia and is credited to Kaz James featuring Macy Gray.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.kazjames.com/featuredInfo/home.do |title= Kaz James + Macy Gray Rumoured To Perform at Sydney's Future Music Festival!! | date= February 27, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312071445/http://www.kazjames.com/featuredInfo/home.do |archive-date= March 12, 2009 | website= KazJames.com| access-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref> In 2009, Gray briefly competed in [[Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) season 9|season 9]] of ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' with professional partner [[Jonathan Roberts (dancer)|Jonathan Roberts]]. They were eliminated in a double elimination in week one. In 2012, she performed the [[Michael Jackson]] song "[[Rock with You]]" for a special performance of the [[West End theatre|West End]] musical ''[[Thriller – Live]]'' for [[BBC Children in Need]] Pop Goes the Musical.

In 2015, Gray was featured on the song "Into the Deep" by [[Galactic]].<ref name="AllMusic.com">{{cite web|title=Into the Deep |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/into-the-deep-mw0002850200/credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 11, 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Gray was featured on the song "Leave Me Lonely" by [[Ariana Grande]]. In 2018, Gray was featured alongside [[Dolly Parton]] on a re-recording of "[[Two Doors Down (Dolly Parton song)|Two Doors Down]]" for the [[Dumplin' (soundtrack)|''Dumplin''' soundtrack]]. In 2020, Gray was featured on the single "Out Of Love" by Canadian band [[Busty and the Bass]]. The band also released a notable cover of Gray's "[[I Try]]" in 2016.

In 2021, Gray competed in [[The Masked Singer (Australian TV series) season 3|season three]] of the [[The Masked Singer (Australian TV series)|Australian version of ''The Masked Singer'']] as "Atlantis". On February 20, 2022, Gray performed [[The Star-Spangled Banner]] at the [[2022 NBA All-Star Game]]. Gray represented her home state of Ohio at the 2022 [[American Song Contest|America Song Contest]] with the song "Every Night".

In 2023, Gray competed in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 10|season ten]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' as the wild card contestant "Sea Queen". She finished in fourth place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-10-finale-recap-winner-runner-ups-ne-yo-john-schneider-1235847017/|title=The Masked Singer Season 10 Finale: Winner, Runner-Up Revealed|website=Variety|first=Michael|last=Schneider|date=December 20, 2023|access-date=December 21, 2023}}</ref>

In 2025, Gray competed in [[The Masked Singer (British TV series) series 6|season six]] of the [[The Masked Singer (British TV series)|British version of ''The Masked Singer'']] as "Toad in the Hole", which she was third to be eliminated. She subsequently walked off stage before later returning to unmask in front of the audience and panel.