Holly Brook Hafermann, known professionally as Skylar Grey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who has become one of the music industry's most sought-after collaborators. Rising to prominence in the mid-2000s after signing with Linkin Park's Machine Shop Recordings under her birth name, Grey initially released her debut album Like Blood Like Honey in 2006. However, it was her 2010 co-writing and vocal contribution to Eminem's chart-topping smash hit "Love the Way You Lie" — produced by Alex da Kid — that cemented her status as a major force in hip-hop and popular music, leading to a record deal with da Kid's Kidinakorner imprint under Interscope Records.
Since that breakthrough moment, Grey has maintained a prolific career both as a solo artist and as a sought-after songwriter and vocal collaborator. Her subsequent albums Don't Look Down (2013) and Natural Causes (2016) showcased her evolution as an artist, with the latter receiving critical acclaim. Grey achieved her first Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist in 2021 with "Last One Standing," a collaboration featuring Polo G, Mozzy, and Eminem. Most recently, she released her self-titled fourth album in 2022 as an independent release, further establishing her creative autonomy and artistic vision.
Beyond her solo output, Grey's influence extends across the industry through her prolific songwriting and feature work with some of music's biggest names. She has provided vocals for hit records by Fort Minor, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Nicki Minaj, Macklemore, and Motionless in White, while simultaneously penning songs for an impressive roster including Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Zedd, and Céline Dion. Her ability to seamlessly navigate genre boundaries — from hip-hop to pop to rock — has made her an invaluable collaborator and testament to her enduring relevance in contemporary music.
