Grandson (musician)

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American-Canadian musician

grandson

grandson performing in 2018

Background information
Birth name| Jordan Edward Benjamin
Born|  (1993-10-25) October 25, 1993 (age 30)
Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Origin| Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres|

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

Occupation(s)|

* Singer
* songwriter
* rapper

Instrument(s)|

* Vocals
* guitar
* piano

Years active| 2014–present
Labels|

* Fueled by Ramen
* RCA

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-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, but when he was 3 years old his family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where his maternal relatives lived[5] (he holds dual citizenship of both countries).[6][7] He has two sisters.[8] Benjamin grew up largely in the Eglinton West area of Toronto.[6][7][9] 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.[7][10] He also spent a great deal of time DJing and playing shows in Montreal while at McGill.[11] 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][7]

## Career[edit]

Benjamin began releasing music under the pseudonym grandson in late 2015.[9] In 2016, he released several singles that accrued millions of streams, including "Bills", "Things Change", and "Bury Me Face Down".[6][12] In 2017, he was signed to RCA Records, and continued releasing singles, including "Best Friends" and "Kiss Bang".[4][10] He also performed at North by Northeast that year (among other festivals).[9]

In April 2018, it was announced that grandson had signed to the Fueled By Ramen record label.[13] He had also released two new singles, "Blood // Water" (a song about political corruption that would go on to appear on multiple Billboard charts) 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.[6][14] He released his first EP on Fueled by Ramen, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1, in June 2018.[14][15] That EP also featured the song "6:00" which discussed police brutality.[16] 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.[17]

Throughout 2018, grandson toured with acts like Hobo Johnson, Joywave, Nothing But Thieves,[15][16][18] Smashing Pumpkins,[19] and Young the Giant.[2][20] He also appeared on an episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers in August 2018, performing "Blood // Water".[21]

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.[7][22] 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.[23]

In June 2019, he won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize for his song "Blood // Water",[24] while in September 2019 the singer released A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3, the final installment of the Modern Tragedy trilogy EPs;[25] the record features the lead single "Rock Bottom", which peaked at No. 38 on the Canadian Rock Chart.[26]

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 EP, a modern tragedy vol. 3. The album gained a lot of publicity and recognition through his social media.

He announced a new album in May 2022, and it was released in May 2023.

## Discography[edit]

### Studio albums[edit]

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

|
|

US Heat.
[27]
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

### EPs[edit]

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

|
|

US Heat.
[27]
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

[28] | CAN
Rock
[29] | CZ
[30] | LTU
[31] | US
Alt
[32] | US
Main
[33] | US
Rock
[34]
"Bills"  | 2016  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album singles
"things change"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Bury Me Face Down"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |

* MC: Gold[35]

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

* MC: 3× Platinum[35]
* AFP: Gold[36]
* ARIA: 2× Platinum[37]
* BPI: Gold[38]
* BVMI: Gold[39]
* IFPI AUT: Platinum[40]
* RIAA: 2× Platinum[41]
* SNEP: Gold[42]

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

* MC: Gold[35]

| 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 singles
"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[35]

"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 | — | — | — | — | —
"—" 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
[32]
"Running from My Shadow"
(Mike Shinoda featuring Grandson) | 2018  | —  | Post Traumatic (Deluxe Version)
"All in My Head"
(Whethan featuring Grandson) | 2020  | —  | Non-album singles
"Heat Seeker"
(DREAMERS featuring Grandson) | 28
"Lost Cause"
(KennyHoopla featuring Grandson) | —
"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"  |

### Notes[edit]

1. ^ "Apologize" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 49 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[43]
2. ^ "Oh No!!!" did not enter the Alternative Airplay chart, but peaked at number 15 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart.[44]
3. ^ "Oh No!!!" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 22 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart.[45]
4. ^ "Dirty" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 22 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[43]
5. ^ "Zen" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 43 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[43]
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)[46]
* The End of the Beginning Tour (2019–2020)[47]
* Death of a Tour (2022)[48]
* I Love You, I'm Trying Tour (2023)[49]

### Supporting[edit]

* The Glorious Sons \- Young Beauties and Fools Tour (2017)[50]
* Hobo Johnson \- 2018 Summer Tour[51]
* Nothing but Thieves \- Broken Machine World Tour (2018)[52]
* Imagine Dragons \- Mercury World Tour (2022)[48]
* Avril Lavigne \- Bite Me Tour (2022)[48]

## 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. ^ Taylor, Jamie (September 13, 2018). "Interviews | A Chat With grandson". Concert Addicts. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
6. ^ 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.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ Holiday, Megan (October 29, 2018). "Grandson Talks Origins + How His Song "Overdose" Helped Solidify What He Does". KROQ. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
9. ^ a b c Moshenski-Dubov, George (July 13, 2017). "Grandson goes beyond the melody". The Varsity. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ Eff, Billy (May 18, 2018). "grandson n'a pas besoin de vos prières ou de vos pensées". Vice (in French). Retrieved March 1, 2019.
12. ^ Twardzik, Tom (January 31, 2018). "New artist GRANDSON is at the front of rock and roll's evolution". Pop Dust. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
13. ^ "Grandson Signs With Fueled By Ramen Following His Powerful Post-Parkland Theme, 'Thoughts & Prayers,'". Billboard.com. April 4, 2018.
14. ^ a b Darus, Alex (June 4, 2018). "Grandson announces politically charged EP, drops music video for "Blood // Water"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
15. ^ 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.
16. ^ a b Weatherby, Taylor (September 28, 2018). "Grandson Tackles Police Brutality Controversy With Intense '6:00' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
17. ^ Kaufman, Gil (May 25, 2018). "Mike Shinoda Drops Gritty Video for 'Running From My Shadow' Featuring Grandson: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
18. ^ Moshenski-Dubov, George (June 17, 2018). "In conversation with grandson". The Varsity. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
19. ^ Scott, Kate (December 26, 2018). "The Nights We Stole Christmas w/Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, and more!". Substream Magazine. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
20. ^ Kamaraj, Chandana (December 5, 2018). "Young the Giant Hits Home with Audience, Produces More Mature Album". The University Times. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
21. ^ 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.
22. ^ Taylor, Sam (February 5, 2019). "grandson has announced a new EP, 'a modern tragedy vol. 2'". Upset. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
23. ^ Chad Childers (May 31, 2019). "Grandson Unleashes Cover of Rage Against the Machine's 'Maria'". Loudwire. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
24. ^ "Politically Charged 'Blood // Water' Wins SOCAN Songwriting Prize". FYI Music News, June 24, 2019.
25. ^ "grandson Has Announced A New EP, a modern tragedy vol. 3". Kerrang!. August 21, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
26. ^ "Grandson Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
27. ^ a b "Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
28. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Canada Hot AC". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
29. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
30. ^ 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.
31. ^ "2020 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100) - Agata" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
32. ^ a b "Grandson – Chart History – Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
33. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
34. ^ "Grandson – Chart History – Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
35. ^ a b c d "Canada". Music Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
36. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Grandson" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
37. ^ "Oct 2023 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
38. ^ "British certifications – Grandson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 12, 2023. Type Grandson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
39. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Grandson)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
40. ^ "Austrian certifications – Grandson" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
41. ^ "American certifications – Grandson". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
42. ^ "French certifications – Grandson" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
43. ^ a b c "Grandson – Chart History: Rock & Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
44. ^ "Grandson – Chart History: Alternative Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
45. ^ "Grandson – Chart History: Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
46. ^ 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.
47. ^ "grandson's 'End of the Beginning' Tour Unites Punks and Hip–Hop Fans Alike". www.34st.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
48. ^ a b c Hartmann, Graham (December 13, 2021). "grandson Announces 2022 Tour + Support Dates for Imagine Dragons + Avril Lavigne". Loudwire. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
49. ^ 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.
50. ^ "We're excited to announce grandson... - The Glorious Sons". Facebook. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
51. ^ "Hobo Johnson + Grandson". www.houseofblues.comeventdetail. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
52. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (May 14, 2018). "Nothing But Thieves Announce Broken Machine World Tour Dates". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2023.

## 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 (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

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