The daughter of well-known director JJ Abrams and television producer Katie McGrath, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams rose to prominence after serving as the opener for Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour in 2023.
Initially, Abrams gained her popularity through social media and SoundCloud. She released her first single “Mean It” in 2019 with Interscope Records. Praised for her raw, emotional style, her first record was a testament to songwriting and the vulnerability that comes with it.
Some have assigned Abrams the dreaded “nepo baby” title, saying she had a “foot in the door” due to her family and her father’s influence in the entertainment industry. While her father’s impact is undeniable, nepotism doesn’t always mean that the artist lacks any sort of talent or substance.
It also doesn’t mean that an artist just became famous overnight.
After 2019’s “Mean It,” Abrams released an unofficial EP, “minor.” Songs such as “Stay,” “21” and “i miss you im sorry” all gained popularity within the Abrams fanbase. She also collaborated with Benny Blanco on “Unlearn.” Featuring clean pop beats and introspective songwriting, Abrams began to solidify her presence in the music industry.
Praised for her artistry, her popularity began to grow, and she began to develop a fanbase.
As a small artist, Abrams then released her first “official” EP, “This is What it Feels Like,” released in 2021. The EP showcased her emotional songwriting, and delves into the themes of heartbreak, longing, and self-realization. Even today, her music follows these themes, and unlike most artists, Abrams takes time to criticize herself through her lyrics.
Several artists have also praised and taken inspiration from Gracie Abrams. Olivia Rodrigo says she wrote her hit single “Drivers License” after listening to Gracie Abrams’ EP, and Taylor Swift praised “This Is What It Feels Like” during its initial release.
These artists have also helped Abrams grow in her career. Abrams’ was an opener for Rodrigo’s Sour Tour as well as opening for the Eras Tour.
In 2023, Abrams released her first debut album, “Good Riddance,” a soft, soulful album that blended the genres of indie, folk, and pop, all while maintaining Abrams’ signature songwriting style. The album’s release coincided with the Eras Tour, helping songs like “Where do We Go Now” and “I Know it Wont Work” reach global popularity.
However, Abram’s reached newfound popularity after the release of her sophomore album, “Secret of Us,” in June of 2024. The album featured hits like “I Love You, I’m Sorry” and “Risk,” which featured more upbeat production, yet still explored the complex themes Abrams has been known to address in her work. Currently, the album has one Grammy nomination for the track “us. (Featuring Taylor Swift).”
In October, Abrams released the deluxe edition of the album, with added tracks such as “That’s so True,” which has been gaining popularity throughout the Internet for its cathartic (and easily montage-able) bridge.
Abrams’ continues to grow, and strives to be more than a “pop” princess. The depth and insight she provides into her mind gives listeners something to empathize with and relate to. Her poetic lyricism, along with her gentle production place her at a crossroads between several genres, making her a versatile artist for many future projects to come.
She may never beat the “nepo baby” allegations, but the impact Abrams has already had on the music world is a testament to her very real talent and hustle.
