Greyson Chance
Brittany Phillips
Greyson Chance is rising. Raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, the queer pop newcomer first bubbled up on YouTube nearly a decade ago, drawing over 172 million views on clips including his first “viral” moment: a 2010 cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” performed at the age of 12, which has since racked up over 65 million streams to date.
The clip quickly attracted a high-profile co-sign from Ellen Degeneres, who tapped the singer to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that year (and many times since), including a return appearance this April, where Chance opened up about his return to music — with his sophomore LP portraits this March — as well as his experience publicly coming out as gay to his fans.
This June, Chance inked a new contract with Arista Records — the label currently being repositioned by former Island Records chief David Massey and which includes other signees Stephen Puth, Dynoro and others. “Your boy just signed a deal with Arista Records & Sony Music,” he shared in an Instagram post announcing the signing. “When I was 15, I was dropped by my first record label. Shortly after, my entire team fled, including my manager, agent, publicist, everyone. It was the most isolated I have ever felt in my life, and suddenly the future I dreamed of in music seemed insurmountable and impossible. I remember pleading with myself to keep on fighting; I did.”
The milestone deal wasn’t lost on the newcomer, who added that he had been working towards the goal for “6 years.” “Life feels very surreal at the moment,” he added. “Thank you to David Massey and Arista for their trust in my creative vision and this opportunity to create. It is truly amazing what can happen in life when you put your head down, place faith into yourself, and continue on. I’m not going anywhere.”
To help toast Billboard’s Summer of Pride, the singer-songwriter curated a Pride-themed mix that highlights the queer artists that inspire him “every day,” including tracks by Lady Gaga, Blood Orange, Grace Jones and more.
Give Chance’s Pride playlist a spin below.
“The queer artists represented in this playlist are voices that have always inspired me and continue to do so,” he says. “As a person who was in music both before and after coming out, I find myself constantly navigating how I wish to be portrayed as an LGBTQ+ artist in today’s world. I take lead from these artists and the path that they are paving still on a day-to-day basis.”
After a stacked summer of Pride shows — that included sets at Motor City Pride in Detroit (June 8), L.A. Pride (June 9), and San Diego Pride (July 13) — Chance will next headline the second annual OUTLOUD Music Festival in Nashville next Saturday (Sept. 14). Music City’s only queer music festival will also include sets by Kim Petras, Gia Woods and others.
“I am fortunate enough to end my run of Pride shows this year at OutLoud,” he adds. “Being from Oklahoma, an equally conservative state, it feels monumental and important to bring forth a message of acceptance and self-love to a place like Tennessee. It is truly an honor.”
For more on Greyson Chance, head here, and catch him on tour dates through the fall.