Grandson (musician)

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|

American-Canadian musician

Grandson

Grandson performing in 2018

Born|

Jordan Edward Benjamin

(1993-10-25) October 25, 1993 (age 31)

Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter
* rapper

Years active| 2014–present
Musical career
Origin| Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres|

* Alternative rock
* rap rock
* alternative hip hop
* political hip hop
* trap
* EDM

Instruments|

* Vocals
* guitar
* piano

Labels|

* Fueled by Ramen
* RCA
* XX RECORDS

Website| grandsonmusic.com

Musical artist

Jordan Edward Benjamin[1][2] (born October 25, 1993),[3] known professionally as Grandson (stylized as grandson),[4] is an American and 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

[edit]

Grandson live at Rock am Ring 2022

Benjamin was born in New Jersey, United States. 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).[7][8] He is Jewish.[6] He has two sisters.[9] Benjamin grew up largely in the Eglinton West area of Toronto.[7][8][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.[8][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][8]

## Career

[edit]

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".[7][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" 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.[7][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.[8][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;[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 Vol. 3.

He announced a new album, I Love You, I'm Trying in May 2022, and it was released in May 2023.

In September 2024, it was announced that Grandson would be one of the opening acts for Linkin Park on their From Zero World Tour, their first in 7 years and without former lead singer Chester Bennington following his death.[28]

In a reply to a fan's tweet on Twitter on May 30, 2025, Grandson revealed he was now an independent artist.[29]

On May 30, 2025, Grandson announced his third album, Inertia, teasing it with the tagline "It's Never Enough Rest, Tomorrow Is Approaching", through his independent label, XX Records. The album is set to release on September 5, 2025\.

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

List of albums with selected album details and peak chart positions  Title  | Details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

US Heat.
[30]
Death of an Optimist |

* Released: December 4, 2020
* Label: Fueled by Ramen
* Formats: Digital download, CD, vinyl

| 7
I Love You, I'm Trying |

* Released: May 5, 2023
* Label: Fueled by Ramen
* Formats: Digital download, CD, vinyl

| —
Inertia |

* Releases: September 5, 2025
* Label: XX Records
* Formats: Digital download, CD, vinyl

| —

### EPs

[edit]

List of EPs with selected album details and peak chart positions  Title  | Details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

US Heat.
[30]
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

[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications | Album

|
|
|
|

CAN

[31] | CAN
Rock
[32] | CZ
[33] | LTU
[34] | US
Alt
[35] | US
Main
[36] | US
Rock
[37]
"Bills"  | 2016  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album singles
"Things Change"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Bury Me Face Down"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |

* MC: Gold[38]

"Kiss Bang"  | 2017  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Best Friends"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"War"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Blood // Water"  | — | 19 | — | 93 | 20 | 17 | 19  |

* MC: 3× Platinum[38]
* AFP: Gold[39]
* ARIA: 2× Platinum[40]
* BPI: Gold[41]
* BVMI: Gold[42]
* IFPI AUT: Platinum[43]
* RIAA: 2× Platinum[44]
* SNEP: Gold[45]

| A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1
"Overdose"  | 2018  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Thoughts & Prayers"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album single
"Apologize"  | 2019  | — | 5 | — | — | 34 | 20 | —[A] |

* MC: Gold[38]

| 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!!!"
(original or with Vic Mensa & Masked Wolf) | — | — | — | — | —[B] | — | —[C] |
"Happy Pill" (with Moby Rich) | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album single
"Peaches (Text Voter XX to 40649)" (with K.Flay) | 2020  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Text Voter XX to 40649 Collection
"Whole Lotta (Text Voter XX to 40649)" (with DREAMERS) | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"How Bout Now (Text Voter XX to 40649)" (with phem) | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Again (Text Voter XX to 40649)" (with Zero 9:36) | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Identity"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Death of an Optimist
"Riptide"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Dirty"  | 50 | 6 | — | — | 10 | — | —[D] |

* MC: Gold[38]

"One Step Closer"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Spotify Singles
"We Did It!!!"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Death of an Optimist
"Zen"
(with X Ambassadors and K.Flay) | — | 9 | 48 | — | 24 | — | —[E] |  | Non-album single
"Rain"
(with Jessie Reyez) | 2021  | — | 31 | — | — | 26 | — | 49  |  | The Suicide Squad (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Drop Dead"
(with Kesha and Travis Barker) | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album singles

[F]

"KULT"
(with Steve Aoki feat. Jasiah) | 2022  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Eulogy"  | 2023  | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | —  |  | I Love You, I'm Trying
"Drones"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Something To Hide"  | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | —  |
"One Last Dance" (with Tom Morello featuring Roman Morello) | 2024  | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | —  |  | Venom: The Last Dance
"Brainrot"  | 2025  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Inertia
"Self Immolation"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

### As featured artist

[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Album

|
|
|

Alt
[35]
"Running from My Shadow"
(Mike Shinoda featuring Grandson) | 2018  | —  | Post Traumatic
"All in My Head"
(Whethan featuring Grandson) | 2020  | —  | Fantasy
"Heat Seeker"
(DREAMERS featuring Grandson) | 28  | Palm Reader
"Lost Cause"
(KennyHoopla featuring Grandson) | —  | Non-album singles
"Cash Machine (Remix)"
(Oliver Tree featuring Dillon Francis and Grandson) | —
"Hold the Line"
(Tom Morello featuring Grandson) | 2021  | —  | The Atlas Underground Fire
"Until I Come Home"
(Two Feet featuring Grandson) | —  | Shape & Form
"Good Mood"
(DE'WAYNE featuring Grandson) | 2022  | —  | Non-album singles
"Choke"
(The Warning featuring Grandson & Zero 9:36) | —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

### Music videos

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Director(s)

|
|

"Bills"  | 2017  | Joe Cappa
"Blood // Water"  | 2018  | Miggy & Morgan
"6:00"  | Gus Black
"Apologize"  | 2019  | Jordan Wozy & Lucas Taggart
"Stigmata"  | Rosco Guerrero
"Rock Bottom"  | Seth Michael Stern
"Oh No!!!"  | Galileo
"Identity"  | 2020  | Karl Jungquist
"Riptide"
"Dirty"
"Rain" (From The Suicide Squad)  | 2021  | ~
"Drop Dead" (ft. Kesha and Travis Barker)  | Andrew Sandler
"Eulogy"  | 2023  | Zach Madden
"Drones"  | Zachary Bailey
"Half My Heart"  | ~
"Brainrot"  | 2025  | Joe Weil
"Self Immolation"

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "Apologize" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 49 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[46]
2. ^ "Oh No!!!" did not enter the Alternative Airplay chart, but peaked at number 15 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart.[47]
3. ^ "Oh No!!!" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 22 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart.[48]
4. ^ "Dirty" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 22 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[46]
5. ^ "Zen" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 43 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[46]
6. ^ The solo version of "Drop Dead" is included as an album track on Death of an Optimist, while the remix featuring Kesha and Travis Barker isn't.

## Tours

[edit]

### Headlining

[edit]

* No Apologies Tour (2019)[49]
* The End of the Beginning Tour (2019–2020)[50]
* Death of a Tour (2022)[51]
* I Love You, I'm Trying Tour (2023)[52]
* Summer Rage Tour (2024)
* Inertia Tour (2025)

### Supporting

[edit]

* The Glorious Sons \- Young Beauties and Fools Tour (2017)[53]
* Hobo Johnson \- 2018 Summer Tour[54]
* Nothing but Thieves \- Broken Machine World Tour (2018)[55]
* Imagine Dragons \- Mercury World Tour (2022)[51]
* Avril Lavigne \- Bite Me Tour (2022)[51]
* Linkin Park \- From Zero World Tour (2025)[56]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Molloy, Alexandra (October 15, 2018). "Let's talk about grandson, and no, I'm not talking about your grandkid". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
2. ^ a b Kernan, Patrick (October 23, 2018). "Young the Giant, other alt rock acts to play show at Kirby Center in January". The Weekender. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
3. ^ "Interview - grandson". Cryptic Rock. December 4, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
4. ^ a b c "The musician, the movement: grandson". Lupinore. August 4, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
5. ^ "Generation X: Inside grandson's fight for a new alternative". Kerrang!. November 25, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
6. ^ a b Taylor, Jamie (September 13, 2018). "Interviews | A Chat With grandson". Concert Addicts. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
7. ^ a b c d Newman, Melinda (April 4, 2018). "Grandson Signs With Fueled By Ramen Following His Powerful Post-Parkland Theme, 'Thoughts & Prayers'". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
8. ^ a b c d e Pelletier, Jeff (February 14, 2019). "Grandson turns rage into inclusive blend of rock". The Charlatan. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
9. ^ Holiday, Megan (October 29, 2018). "Grandson Talks Origins + How His Song "Overdose" Helped Solidify What He Does". KROQ. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
10. ^ a b c Moshenski-Dubov, George (July 13, 2017). "Grandson goes beyond the melody". The Varsity. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
11. ^ a b Butz-Weidner, Benjamin (March 6, 2017). "Meet Grandson: The McGill Drop-Out Making it in the Music Business, Involved with the Recent Naked Trump Statues". The Bull & Bear. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
12. ^ Eff, Billy (May 18, 2018). "grandson n'a pas besoin de vos prières ou de vos pensées". Vice (in French). Retrieved March 1, 2019.
13. ^ Twardzik, Tom (January 31, 2018). "New artist GRANDSON is at the front of rock and roll's evolution". Pop Dust. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
14. ^ "Grandson Signs With Fueled By Ramen Following His Powerful Post-Parkland Theme, 'Thoughts & Prayers,'". Billboard.com. April 4, 2018.
15. ^ a b Darus, Alex (June 4, 2018). "Grandson announces politically charged EP, drops music video for "Blood // Water"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
16. ^ a b White, Logan (June 5, 2018). "grandson announces new EP 'modern tragedy vol.1' and releases new song "Blood // Water"". Substream. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
17. ^ a b Weatherby, Taylor (September 28, 2018). "Grandson Tackles Police Brutality Controversy With Intense '6:00' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
18. ^ Kaufman, Gil (May 25, 2018). "Mike Shinoda Drops Gritty Video for 'Running From My Shadow' Featuring Grandson: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
19. ^ Moshenski-Dubov, George (June 17, 2018). "In conversation with grandson". The Varsity. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
20. ^ Scott, Kate (December 26, 2018). "The Nights We Stole Christmas w/Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, and more!". Substream Magazine. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
21. ^ Kamaraj, Chandana (December 5, 2018). "Young the Giant Hits Home with Audience, Produces More Mature Album". The University Times. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
22. ^ Kaufman, Gil (August 16, 2018). "Grandson Rages Against The Corporate Machine During Intense 'Blood // Water' Performance on 'Late Night': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
23. ^ Taylor, Sam (February 5, 2019). "grandson has announced a new EP, 'a modern tragedy vol. 2'". Upset. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
24. ^ Chad Childers (May 31, 2019). "Grandson Unleashes Cover of Rage Against the Machine's 'Maria'". Loudwire. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
25. ^ "Politically Charged 'Blood // Water' Wins SOCAN Songwriting Prize". FYI Music News, June 24, 2019.
26. ^ "grandson Has Announced A New EP, a modern tragedy vol. 3". Kerrang!. August 21, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
27. ^ "Grandson Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
28. ^ "Linkin Park Reveal 'From Zero' World Tour Plans". Spin. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
29. ^ https://x.com/grandson/status/1928490092974284866 [bare URL]
30. ^ a b "Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
31. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Canada Hot AC". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
32. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
33. ^ Peaks in the Czech Republic:
* For "Zen": "CZ - Radio - Top 100 - Zen (with K.Fly & grandson) - X Ambassadors - Universal Music" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
34. ^ "2020 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100) - Agata" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
35. ^ a b "Grandson – Chart History – Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
36. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
37. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
38. ^ a b c d "Canada". Music Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
39. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Grandson" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
40. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
41. ^ "British certifications – Grandson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 12, 2023. Type Grandson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
42. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Grandson)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
43. ^ "Austrian certifications – Grandson" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
44. ^ "American certifications – Grandson". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
45. ^ "French certifications – Grandson" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
46. ^ a b c "Grandson – Chart History: Rock & Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
47. ^ "Grandson – Chart History: Alternative Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
48. ^ "Grandson – Chart History: Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
49. ^ Live Nation Ontario (December 7, 2018). "@grandson is taking his No Apologies Tour to Ottawa, London, Kitchener, Hamilton and Toronto!". Twitter. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
50. ^ "grandson's 'End of the Beginning' Tour Unites Punks and Hip–Hop Fans Alike". www.34st.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
51. ^ a b c Hartmann, Graham (December 13, 2021). "grandson Announces 2022 Tour + Support Dates for Imagine Dragons + Avril Lavigne". Loudwire. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
52. ^ Santos, Stacy Simons (March 24, 2023). "grandson Announces New Album 'I Love You, I'm Trying' & Sets Out For North American Tour". CelebrityAccess. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
53. ^ "We're excited to announce grandson... - The Glorious Sons". Facebook. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
54. ^ "Hobo Johnson + Grandson". www.houseofblues.comeventdetail. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
55. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (May 14, 2018). "Nothing But Thieves Announce Broken Machine World Tour Dates". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
56. ^ I was just at Linkin Park's concert in Berlin on the 18.06.2025 and saw him as an opening act, so I can personally confirm it. I can attach a video as proof, if needed.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grandson.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Winners of the SOCAN Songwriting Prize

English|

* Propagandhi (2006)
* Abdominal (2007)
* The Weakerthans (2008)
* D-Sisive (2009)
* Brasstronaut (2010)
* Katie Moore (2011)
* Kathleen Edwards (2012)
* Mo Kenney (2013)
* Alejandra Ribera (2014)
* Dear Rouge (2015)
* Fast Romantics (2016)
* PUP (2017)
* Partner (2018)
* grandson (2019)
* William Prince (2020)
* Billy Raffoul (2021)
* Emily Steinwall (2022)
* Luna Li and beabadoobee (2023)

French|

* Ève Cournoyer (2006)
* Tricot Machine (2007)
* Karkwa (2008)
* Bernard Adamus (2009)
* Vulgaires Machins (2010)
* Galaxie (2011)
* Koriass (2012)
* Keith Kouna (2013)
* Patrice Michaud (2014)
* Antoine Corriveau (2015)
* Laurence Nerbonne (2016)
* Klô Pelgag (2017)
* Loud (2018)
* Tizzo (2019)
* Félix Dyotte (2020)
* Thierry Larose (2021)
* Hubert Lenoir (2022)
* Gab Bouchard (2023)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template