Bishop Briggs

Sarah Grace McLaughlin, known professionally as Bishop Briggs, is a British-American singer and songwriter born on July 18, 1992, in London, United Kingdom. Her music, a blend of alternative electro-pop and indie pop, has captivated audiences worldwide, particularly with her single "River," which peaked at number 3 on the US Alternative Chart and has amassed over 485 million streams on Spotify. This track was a standout on her debut album, "Church of Scars," released on April 20, 2018. Following the success of her first album, Island Records released her second album, "Champion," in July 2019, which was recognized in The Young Folks' Top 50 albums of the year.

Early Life and Inspirations

Briggs was born to Scottish parents from the town of Bishopbriggs, which inspired her stage name. At the age of four, she moved to Tokyo with her family, where she first sang in public at a karaoke bar, sparking her desire to become a performer. The diverse musical environment of Tokyo, coupled with the influence of Motown musicians and The Beatles played at home, fueled her passion for music. By the age of seven, she was writing her own songs and performing them for her family. Her journey continued in Hong Kong from the age of 10 until she was 18, where she engaged in school talent shows and performances. After graduating from Hong Kong International School, she moved to Los Angeles to attend college at the Musicians Institute, furthering her musical education and career.

Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

Briggs' career took off in Los Angeles, where she wrote and performed across the city, eventually recording her first single "Wild Horses" in July 2015. The song gained traction when featured in an Acura commercial during the Super Bowl, leading to its climb up the charts. Her breakthrough single, "River," released in January 2016, achieved commercial success, reaching number 1 on Hype Machine's Popular charts and Spotify's US Viral 50. Briggs' television debut came with a performance of "River" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in August 2016, further propelling her into the spotlight.

Continued Success and Personal Life

Briggs has continued to release music that resonates with her fans, including her albums "Church of Scars" and "Champion." Her personal life also saw significant milestones, marrying Landon Jacobs in 2021. In response to the death of her older sister and manager, Kate McLaughlin, from ovarian cancer in January 2021, Briggs released several songs, including "High Water" and "Art of Survival," showcasing her ability to channel personal grief into her music. In 2022, she performed at Coachella while in her third trimester of pregnancy and later announced the birth of her first child. Her single "superhuman" was a love letter to her son, demonstrating her ability to intertwine personal experiences with her music.

Awards, Nominations, and Recent Work

Briggs' work has not gone unnoticed, with nominations at the MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Push in 2018 and winning the Music Moves Europe Award for Best Pop Artist in 2019. Her recent EP, "When Everything Went Dark," was released in June 2023 on Arista Records, including the single “Baggage.” Briggs also made a notable appearance on season nine of The Masked Singer as "Medusa," where she won, becoming the first British and international singer to win the show at the age of 30.