Chris Grey: 20 Questions with PopFiltr

Chris Grey, one of the new faces of Dark R&B, opens up about his creative process and the inspirations behind his rising success in 20 Questions with PopFiltr. With over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 500 million streams across platforms, Grey’s self-produced sound fuses nocturnal R&B with cinematic, orchestral intensity. Drawing from his Jamaican and Canadian roots, his debut album, The Castle Never Falls, debuted at number 7 on Spotify's Top Albums Debut Global chart during its opening weekend (October 18-20). Dive in as Grey discusses collaborating with his girlfriend Allegra Jordyn and best friend Christopher Graham, the fan art that left a lasting impression, and the music that inspires him—from The Weeknd to The Marias.

1. What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?
Chris Grey: I wasn’t really into classical music until last year, but I’ll put it on when I’m reading. I love The Weeknd, Chase Atlantic, and lately, I’ve been into The Marias and Cigarettes After Sex. But it depends on my mood. I listen to everything from rap to R&B to pop. Michael Jackson is a big one for me, too—he was one of my biggest influences as a kid.

2. What’s the most unconventional technique you’ve used to achieve a sound you had in mind?
Chris Grey: Sometimes I’ll play sounds through my speakers and then record them on my phone if I want a really lo-fi sound—kind of like it’s been sampled. And I love using random sounds, like a car door shutting or atmospheric sounds like thunder and rain. They just add something unexpected.

3. If your music were a movie, what genre would it be, and who would you get to direct it?
Chris Grey: Probably a romance thriller. And for the director… can’t go wrong with Steven Spielberg. He’d bring a super cinematic, classic touch to it.

4. If one day you weren’t allowed to make music—no recording, no producing, no listening—what would you do instead?
Chris Grey: I’d probably go into film. As a kid, photography and cinematography were my other passions. I used to want to make movies. I kind of get to do that now with my music videos, so it’s fun to tap back into that side of things.

5. You co-write a lot of your music with Allegra Jordan and Christopher Graham. Does that make the creative process easier or more challenging, working closely with your girlfriend and best friend?
Chris Grey: It definitely makes the process easier. We know each other so well, so there’s no learning curve. When it comes to disagreements, we usually defer to the artist whose project it is. So, if it’s Allegra’s song, she has the final say. Same with my music—if there’s a difference of opinion, it ultimately comes down to me. But we don’t disagree often.

6. What’s the last book you read?
Chris Grey: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone—it’s a murder mystery. Loved it.

7. If you could create an immersive art installation based on one of your tracks, what would the experience be like?
Chris Grey: Cool. I’d probably start with rain sounds, maybe some thunder—set a really moody vibe. I’d want a gothic castle feel, with stone walls, stained glass windows, and candlelight. Something super atmospheric that fits the aesthetic of my music. Maybe even some fake rain—you might get wet.

8. What’s the strangest or most memorable piece of fan art or message you’ve ever received?
Chris Grey: Oh, I’ve got it right here! So, on tour, people would always ask me to draw something for their tattoos. I’m awful at drawing, but one day I tried drawing a star for someone. It was the worst star you’ve ever seen. The fans never let me live it down—there’s even a photo of it that haunts me. Then, at the next show, someone made me a poster with step-by-step instructions on how to draw a star. And honestly, since then, I’ve been way better at it!

9. Do you have any pre-show rituals or routines before you step on stage?
Chris Grey: Nothing too crazy. I like to get into the zone and be alone for the last five minutes before the show. I’ll put my in-ears in, block everything out, jump up and down a bit to get pumped, and then I’m ready to go.

10. Is there one thing you always keep handy during recording sessions—something that helps with writing or recording?
Chris Grey: Honestly, not really. I don’t even write down my lyrics most of the time. I just write at the mic and record as I go. My sessions are pretty spontaneous, and I tend to record late at night. My voice sounds better then, so that’s usually when I get the best takes.

11. Now, the tough one: If you had to rank your top five tracks—whether from the new album or your entire discography—what would they be and why?
Chris Grey: Top five? Okay, in no particular order. First, The Castle—that song took the most work and time, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Then, Let The World Burn—not only do I love it personally, but seeing how it resonated with people made it even more special. Last Breath would be another favorite for sure. I’d say The Shadows as well—it was the first song where I really found my sound. Lastly, Cold-Blooded. I love that one.

12. If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? (Let’s exclude The Weeknd this time!)
Chris Grey: Easy—Ozzy Osbourne. He was one of my earliest influences, and I think a collab with him would be so unique. I loved his song with Post Malone—it was such a cool cross-genre moment.

13. Is there a song you’ve released that you’d like to go back and rework or that you regret releasing?
Chris Grey: Interesting. I don’t know if I want to say because the fans love these songs, but if I had to pick one, I’d say Prada Versace. It’s one of those songs where I sometimes forget I released it. I’m sure the fans would kill me for saying that, though!

14. How do you see your sound evolving over the next five years?
Chris Grey: I definitely want to keep evolving. Each album will be cohesive in its own sound, but I think with each project, I’ll switch things up. After this album, I’m planning to take a short break—not a long one, just a month or two—and travel, listen to different music, and get inspired. That’s usually how I find new directions.

15. If you could write the soundtrack to a love story—whether real or fictional—which one would it be?
Chris Grey: Good question. Surprisingly, I don’t read a lot of romance. I love political dramas like Suits or business dramas. But since Allegra made me watch Gossip Girl recently, and I got obsessed with it, I’d go with Chuck and Blair. I’d love to write a song for them.

16. What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self or any young indie artist getting into songwriting and production?
Chris Grey: I’d say early in my career, I was too focused on what I thought other people wanted. I was always trying to make what I thought would work for radio or TikTok, and it really limited me. When I go back and listen to that music, it’s my least favorite. Once I stopped caring so much about outside expectations and started making what I love, that’s when the music really became something I’m proud of.

17. What’s been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Chris Grey: That’s an easy one. It was on tour—the first time I heard people singing my lyrics back to me. It was the first show in Chicago, and I was the opener. I remember missing a word during one song, and the crowd filled it in. Hearing that through my mic was crazy. That moment really stuck with me.

18: If someone were to find a hidden message in your music, what would you want it to be?
Chris Grey: Hmm… I’d say passion. I love passionate people, and I try to put that energy into my music—whether it’s the passion of making the music or the romantic passion in the lyrics. I’d say: "Live life passionately."

19. If music were a language, how fluent do you think you are in it?
Chris Grey: Interesting. Technically speaking, I’m probably still a beginner—I wasn’t really into music theory for a long time. But if we’re talking about music as an emotional language, I’d say I’m pretty fluent.

20. And for the last question: If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you bring with you?
Chris Grey: My laptop, for sure. I live on my laptop. I’d also bring a microphone and speakers—just the whole setup. Leave me there for a year or two, and I’ll come back with an album!
PF: You might need a fourth thing—electricity!
Chris Grey: (laughs) Yeah, a generator, definitely.

PF: We have a tradition at PopFiltr where our guest leaves a question for the next guest without knowing who it’s for. The question left for you is: Is there a visual piece of art or a creator whom you drew inspiration from?‍

Chris Grey: Oh, that’s a good one. I’d say nature has been a huge visual inspiration for me, especially rugged places like Iceland and Alaska. There’s something about those landscapes that just speaks to me. They’re just so beautiful.‍

PF: That would be incredible as a setting for one of your music videos.‍

Chris Grey: I know! I’ve almost done it a few times. One day I’ll make it happen.‍

PF: And finally, what question would you like to leave for our next guest?‍

Chris Grey: I’d ask: What’s your favorite part of your own music that you feel people overlook?‍

PF: That’s a great one. Thanks so much for chatting with us, Chris. We’re excited to see what’s next—especially that Make The Angels Cry music video.‍

Chris Grey: Thank you. I’m excited for everyone to see it, too.

Want to dive deeper?
Check out our full interview with Chris Grey, where he reveals more about his journey to find his authentic sound and the creative process behind The Castle Never Falls.
And don’t miss our Rapid Fire Questions with Chris Grey to learn even more about your favorite artist!