Grandson (musician) explained

grandson
Birth Name:Jordan Edward Benjamin
Birth Date:25 October 1993
Birth Place:Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Origin:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Years Active:2014–present

Jordan Edward Benjamin[1] [2] (born October 25, 1993),[3] known professionally as Grandson (stylized as grandson),[4] is an American-Canadian singer, songwriter, and rapper currently signed to Fueled by Ramen. He released his major label debut EP, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1, on June 15, 2018, and released the follow-up A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2 on February 22, 2019. The initial EP featured the single "Blood // Water", which appeared on several Billboard charts in the United States and Canada. Benjamin's music focuses on modern-day issues that are less recognized by the media and public. On December 4, 2020, he released his debut studio album, Death of an Optimist, and his second album, I Love You, I'm Trying, was released on May 5, 2023.

Early life and education

Benjamin was born in New Jersey, United States, but when he was 3 years old, his family moved to a Jewish neighborhood in Toronto, Ontario, where his maternal relatives lived[5] [6] (he holds dual citizenship of both countries). He has two sisters.[7] Benjamin grew up largely in the Eglinton West area of Toronto.[8] [9] [10] He attended Northern Secondary School in Toronto and, after graduation, enrolled in McGill University in Montreal. There, he studied education with the initial goal of becoming a teacher.[9] [11] He also spent a great deal of time DJing and playing shows in Montreal while at McGill.[12] After two years, he transferred to Concordia University, another Montreal institution. He studied communications there briefly before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a music career.[4] [9]

Career

Benjamin began releasing music under the pseudonym grandson in late 2015.[10] In 2016, he released several singles that accrued millions of streams, including "Bills", "Things Change", and "Bury Me Face Down".[8] [13] In 2017, he was signed to RCA Records, and continued releasing singles, including "Best Friends" and "Kiss Bang".[4] [11] He also performed at North by Northeast that year (among other festivals).[10]

In April 2018, it was announced that grandson had signed to the Fueled By Ramen record label.[14] He had also released two new singles, "Blood // Water" (a song about political corruption that would go on to appear on multiple Billboard charts) and "Thoughts & Prayers", which offered a critique of American gun laws in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.[8] [15] He released his first EP on Fueled by Ramen, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1, in June 2018.[15] [16] That EP also featured the song "6:00" which discussed police brutality.[17] Also in June 2018, grandson was featured on Mike Shinoda's song "Running from My Shadow", taken from his debut album Post Traumatic; the track was released also with an accompanying music video in May 2018.[18]

Throughout 2018, grandson toured with acts like Hobo Johnson, Joywave, Nothing But Thieves,[16] [17] [19] Smashing Pumpkins,[20] and Young the Giant.[2] [21] He also appeared on an episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers in August 2018, performing "Blood // Water".[22]

In February 2019, he released a new single, "Apologize", and announced his second EP, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2, which was released on February 22, 2019.[9] [23] In late May, grandson released a cover of Rage Against the Machine's "Maria", a song featured on the 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles.[24]

In June 2019, he won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize for his song "Blood // Water",[25] while in September 2019 the singer released A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3, the final installment of the Modern Tragedy trilogy EPs;[26] the record features the lead single "Rock Bottom", which peaked at No. 38 on the Canadian Rock Chart.[27]

On September 23, 2020, Grandson announced on his Facebook page that his debut full-length album Death of an Optimist would be released on December 4, 2020. Death of an Optimist is grandson's debut album, being his first record to have a heavier tone since the release of the last a modern tragedy EP, a modern tragedy vol. 3. The album gained a lot of publicity and recognition through his social media.

He announced a new album in May 2022, and it was released in May 2023.

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em"
DetailsPeak chart positions
US Heat.
[28]
Death of an Optimist 7
I Love You, I'm Trying

EPs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em"
DetailsPeak chart positions
US Heat.
A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1
  • Released: June 15, 2018
  • Label: Fueled by Ramen
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Broken Down Vol. 1
  • Released: August 17, 2018
  • Label: Fueled by Ramen
  • Formats: Digital download
A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2
  • Released: February 22, 2019 (US)
  • Label: Fueled by Ramen
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
23
No Apologies Live
  • Released: June 11, 2019
  • Label: Fueled by Ramen
  • Formats: Digital download
A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3
  • Released: September 13, 2019
  • Label: Fueled by Ramen
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
CAN
AC
[29]
CAN
Rock
[30]
CZ
[31]
LTU
[32]
US
Alt

[33]
US
Main

[34]
US
Rock
[35]
"Bills"2016rowspan="6"
"things change"
"Bury Me Face Down"
"Kiss Bang"2017
"Best Friends"
"War"
"Blood // Water"19 93 20 17 19 A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1
"Overdose"2018
"Thoughts & Prayers"
"Apologize"20195 34 20
  • MC: Gold
A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2
"Maria"Rock Sound Presents: Worship And Tributes Vol. 2
"Despicable"A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1
"Rock Bottom"26 A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3
"Oh No!!!"
"Happy Pill"
"Peaches (Text Voter XX to 40649)" 2020Text Voter XX to 40649 Collection
"Whole Lotta (Text Voter XX to 40649)"
"How Bout Now (Text Voter XX to 40649)"
"Again (Text Voter XX to 40649)"
"Identity"Death of an Optimist
"Riptide"
"Dirty"50 6 10
  • MC: Gold
"One Step Closer"Spotify Singles
"We Did It!!!"Death of an Optimist
"Zen"
9 48 24
"Rain"
202131 26 49 The Suicide Squad (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Drop Dead"
46 rowspan="2"
"KULT"
2022
"Eulogy"202314 I Love You, I'm Trying
"Drones"
"Something To Hide"13
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Alt

"Running from My Shadow"
2018Post Traumatic (Deluxe Version)
"All in My Head"
2020rowspan="4"
"Heat Seeker"
28
"Lost Cause"
"Cash Machine (Remix)"
"Hold the Line"
2021The Atlas Underground Fire
"Until I Come Home"
Shape & Form
"GOOD MOOD"
2022rowspan="2"
"CHOKE"
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

!Title!Year!Director(s)
"Bills"2017Joe Cappa
"Blood // Water"2018Miggy & Morgan
"6:00"Gus Black
"Apologize"2019Jordan Wozy & Lucas Taggart
"Stigmata"Rosco Guerrero
"Rock Bottom"Seth Michael Stern
"Oh No!"Galileo
"Identity"2020Karl Jungquist
"Riptide"
"Dirty"
"Rain" (From The Suicide Squad)2021
"Drop Dead" (ft. Kesha and Travis Barker)Andrew Sandler
"Eulogy"2023Zach Madden
"Drones"Zachary Bailey
"Half My Heart"

Notes

Tours

Headlining

Supporting

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Molloy. Alexandra. Let's talk about grandson, and no, I'm not talking about your grandkid. The Daily Collegian. October 15, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  2. News: Kernan. Patrick. Young the Giant, other alt rock acts to play show at Kirby Center in January. The Weekender. October 23, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  3. Web site: Interview - grandson . Cryptic Rock . December 4, 2020 . 17 June 2022.
  4. News: The musician, the movement: grandson. Lupinore. August 4, 2017 . March 1, 2019.
  5. Web site: Generation X: Inside grandson's fight for a new alternative . Kerrang! . Kerrang! . November 25, 2020 . August 10, 2024.
  6. Web site: Taylor. Jamie. 2018-09-13. Interviews A Chat With grandson. 2021-07-23. Concert Addicts. en-US.
  7. News: Holiday. Megan. Grandson Talks Origins + How His Song "Overdose" Helped Solidify What He Does. KROQ. October 29, 2018. March 1, 2019.
  8. Newman. Melinda. Grandson Signs With Fueled By Ramen Following His Powerful Post-Parkland Theme, 'Thoughts & Prayers'. Billboard. April 4, 2018. March 1, 2019.
  9. News: Pelletier. Jeff. Grandson turns rage into inclusive blend of rock. The Charlatan. February 14, 2019. March 1, 2019. July 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705024807/http://charlatan.ca/2019/02/grandson-turns-rage-into-inclusive-blend-of-rock/. dead.
  10. News: Moshenski-Dubov. George. Grandson goes beyond the melody. The Varsity. July 13, 2017. March 1, 2019.
  11. News: Butz-Weidner. Benjamin. Meet Grandson: The McGill Drop-Out Making it in the Music Business, Involved with the Recent Naked Trump Statues. The Bull & Bear. March 6, 2017 . March 1, 2019.
  12. Eff. Billy. grandson n'a pas besoin de vos prières ou de vos pensées. Vice. fr . May 18, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  13. News: Twardzik. Tom. New artist GRANDSON is at the front of rock and roll's evolution . Pop Dust. January 31, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  14. Web site: Grandson Signs With Fueled By Ramen Following His Powerful Post-Parkland Theme, 'Thoughts & Prayers,'. April 4, 2018. Billboard.com.
  15. Darus. Alex. Grandson announces politically charged EP, drops music video for "Blood // Water". Alternative Press. June 4, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  16. News: White. Logan. grandson announces new EP 'modern tragedy vol.1' and releases new song "Blood // Water". Substream. June 5, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  17. Weatherby. Taylor. Grandson Tackles Police Brutality Controversy With Intense '6:00' Video: Premiere. Billboard. September 28, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  18. Kaufman. Gil. Mike Shinoda Drops Gritty Video for 'Running From My Shadow' Featuring Grandson: Watch. Billboard. May 25, 2018 . April 12, 2019.
  19. News: Moshenski-Dubov. George. In conversation with grandson. The Varsity. June 17, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  20. News: Scott. Kate. The Nights We Stole Christmas w/Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, and more!. Substream Magazine. December 26, 2018 . March 11, 2019.
  21. News: Kamaraj. Chandana. Young the Giant Hits Home with Audience, Produces More Mature Album. The University Times. December 5, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  22. Kaufman. Gil. Grandson Rages Against The Corporate Machine During Intense 'Blood//Water' Performance on 'Late Night': Watch . Billboard. August 16, 2018 . March 1, 2019.
  23. News: Taylor. Sam. grandson has announced a new EP, 'a modern tragedy vol. 2'. Upset. February 5, 2019 . March 1, 2019.
  24. Grandson Unleashes Cover of Rage Against the Machine's 'Maria'. Chad Childers. Loudwire. May 31, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  25. https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2019/06/24/politically-charged-blood-water-wins-socan-songwriting-prize "Politically Charged 'Blood // Water' Wins SOCAN Songwriting Prize"
  26. grandson Has Announced A New EP, a modern tragedy vol. 3. Kerrang!. August 21, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  27. Grandson Chart History. Billboard. September 14, 2019.
  28. Web site: Chart History: Heatseekers Albums . Billboard . September 3, 2019.
  29. Grandson – Chart History – Canada Hot AC . Billboard . August 17, 2021.
  30. Grandson – Chart History – Hot Rock Songs. Billboard . April 12, 2019.
  31. Peaks in the Czech Republic:
  32. Web site: 2020 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100) - Agata. lt. AGATA. October 5, 2022.
  33. Grandson – Chart History – Alternative Songs. Billboard . April 12, 2019.
  34. Grandson – Chart History – Mainstream Rock Songs. Billboard . April 12, 2019.
  35. Grandson – Chart History – Hot Rock Songs. Billboard . April 12, 2019.
  36. Web site: Canada. Music Canada. March 6, 2023.
  37. Portugal. file_2023-01-30-17-47-02.pdf. single. 2022. Grandson. March 6, 2023.
  38. Australia. 2023. November 30, 2023.
  39. United Kingdom. Grandson . April 12, 2023.
  40. Germany. Grandson. March 6, 2023.
  41. Austria. Grandson. March 6, 2023.
  42. United States. Grandson. February 10, 2021.
  43. France. Grandson. March 6, 2023.
  44. Web site: Live Nation Ontario. 7 December 2018. @grandson is taking his No Apologies Tour to Ottawa, London, Kitchener, Hamilton and Toronto!. 2023-06-22 . Twitter . en.
  45. Web site: grandson's 'End of the Beginning' Tour Unites Punks and Hip–Hop Fans Alike . 2023-06-23 . www.34st.com.
  46. Web site: Hartmann . Graham. 2021-12-13 . grandson Announces 2022 Tour + Support Dates for Imagine Dragons + Avril Lavigne . 2023-06-23 . Loudwire . en.
  47. Web site: Santos . Stacy Simons . 2023-03-24 . grandson Announces New Album 'I Love You, I'm Trying' & Sets Out For North American Tour . 2023-06-23 . CelebrityAccess . en-US.
  48. Web site: We're excited to announce grandson... - The Glorious Sons . 2023-06-22 . Facebook . en.
  49. Web site: Hobo Johnson + Grandson . 2023-06-23 . www.houseofblues.comeventdetail . en-US.
  50. Cummings-Grady . Mackenzie . 2018-05-14 . Nothing But Thieves Announce Broken Machine World Tour Dates . 2023-06-23 . Billboard . en-US.