Evolution of a soul sister
Maturing like a fine wine, Macy has survived highs and lows to release her 10th studio album
How can you not love Macy Gray? The multi-tasking star has just released her terrific new studio album, Ruby – the 10th in a 25 million-selling Brit and Grammywinning career which kicked off with her classic debut On How Life Is back in 1999.
Her eccentricity and wild ways made headlines but Macy’s bejazzed style has reigned supreme recently on crossgenerational collaborations with Ariana Grande and, on Ruby’s Sugar Daddy, Meghan Trainor.
“It was actually her concept,” Macy, 51, smiles. “She told me she wrote that song when she was 12. I think it’s a love song, like ‘be my sugar daddy, give me your loving. Give me sugar’.
“That’s how I always took it. But everybody jumps to the theatrical meaning, give me money. I don’t know if that’s what she was talking about when she was 12.”
Surviving an early career mix of excess with success has not been plain sailing, but larger-than-life 5ft 11ins, Ohio-born Macy has kept strong throughout.
“I have evolved, so that helps make it easier. But there’s a lot of ups and downs,” says the single mum of three. “Everything makes this album special. I know who I am and I know what I want to say.”
Two of her favourite subjects – man trouble and the state of the world – combine in new song White Man.
“It’s really directed at Donald Trump,” Macy says. “And at people who think that other cultures are less than them... this attitude that if you’re black or if you’re a woman or you’re Hispanic, that you’re not as fortunate as they are.”
When Macy made a cover tribute album of Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, the man himself called to say he loved it.
“I don’t know if he was just telling me that. But he was on the phone and said, “I love that, I’m so flattered you did that.”
Stevie isn’t the only star on Macy’s case, as Yoko Ono recently followed her on social media.
“It’s actually a lot of pressure. I’m always like really careful about what I post,” she jokes.
Yeah, right Macy. So what’s the way to the heart of the Tallest Diva in Town?
“Big smile, big penis,” she cackles. Ruby is available now
‘Everything makes this album special. I know who I am and I know what I want to say’