Grimes, whose real name is Claire Elise Boucher, is a Canadian musician known for her diverse musical style that blends genres like lo-fi R&B, futuristic dance-pop, electronic music, hip hop, and rock. Her lyrics frequently explore themes of science fiction and feminism, complemented by elaborate and often fantasy-themed music videos. She has released five studio albums over her career.
March 17, 1988: Birth of Claire Boucher (Grimes)
On March 17, 1988, Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, was born. This marks the birth of the artist who would later become a prominent figure in the music industry.
2006: Graduation and Move to Montreal
Grimes graduated from Lord Byng Secondary School in 2006 and moved to Montreal to attend McGill University. She initially pursued a general Arts and Science degree but later focused on electro-acoustics.
2006: Grimes Moves to Montreal & Begins Music Career
In 2006, Grimes graduated from Lord Byng Secondary School and made a pivotal move from Vancouver to Montreal. This relocation marked the start of her journey into music as she began releasing music independently.
2007: The Birth of Grimes
Grimes adopted her stage name and began writing music in 2007, marking the beginning of her artistic journey. She chose the name "Grimes" from a MySpace genre listing without prior knowledge of grime music.
2007: Panda Bear's Influence on Grimes' Music
Grimes cited Panda Bear's 2007 album 'Person Pitch' as a pivotal influence on her musical style, helping her transition from atonal drone music to songwriting.
2007: Relationship with Devon Welsh Begins
Grimes's romantic history includes a relationship with Devon Welsh, former frontman of the band Majical Cloudz. Their paths first crossed in 2007 at a dorm party during their time as students at McGill University, marking the beginning of their on-and-off relationship.
2009: Mississippi River Houseboat Journey
In 2009, Grimes and a friend embarked on an ambitious journey, attempting to sail down the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to New Orleans in a houseboat they constructed themselves. However, the adventure was beset by various challenges, including engine problems and run-ins with law enforcement, ultimately leading to the houseboat being impounded in Minneapolis. Grimes has since stated that media reports of the event were exaggerated.
January 2010: Release of Debut Album "Geidi Primes"
January 2010 saw the release of Grimes' debut album, "Geidi Primes," a concept album drawing inspiration from the "Dune" series. This marked her first official entry into the music world.
December 2010: Departure from McGill University
Grimes' time at McGill University came to an end in December 2010 when she was expelled for missing classes. This event ultimately led her to focus more intently on her burgeoning music career.
2010: Release of Debut Albums: Geidi Primes & Halfaxa
Grimes released her first two studio albums, "Geidi Primes" and "Halfaxa," in 2010 under Arbutus Records. This marked a significant step in her career, introducing her unique sound to the world.
2010: Relationship with Devon Welsh Ends
Grimes's relationship with Devon Welsh ended in 2010.
May 2011: Touring with Lykke Li
Grimes embarked on her first major tour in May 2011, opening for Lykke Li across North America. This tour significantly broadened her exposure and fan base.
January 2012: Signing with 4AD Records
Grimes signed with the renowned record label 4AD in January 2012, marking a significant step forward in her career.
January 31, 2012: Canadian Release of "Visions"
Grimes' breakthrough album, "Visions," was released in Canada on January 31, 2012, through Arbutus Records.
February 21, 2012: US Release of "Visions"
Grimes' album "Visions" saw its release in the United States on February 21, 2012, under 4AD records.
March 2012: International Release of "Visions"
Following its release in Canada and the US, Grimes' album "Visions" saw a wider international release in March 2012.
April 27, 2012: Grimes Featured in The Guardian
Grimes was featured in The Guardian on April 27, 2012, further raising her profile.
May 2012: Collaboration with Blood Diamonds on "Phone Sex"
Grimes collaborated with Blood Diamonds on the track "Phone Sex" in May 2012.
August 2012: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Debut
Grimes made her first American television appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in August 2012.
2012: Relationship with Jaime Brooks Begins
Grimes embarked on a romantic relationship with electronic musician Jaime Brooks in 2012. Brooks, performing under the moniker Elite Gymnastics, even joined Grimes on her "Visions" tour, showcasing a blend of personal and professional connections during that period.
2012: Creation of "Visions" and Drug Usage
Grimes has spoken candidly about her past drug use, particularly during the making of her third album, "Visions," in 2012. She described an intense period of isolation and substance use, relying heavily on amphetamines and forgoing food and sleep for extended periods.
2012: Breakthrough with Album "Visions"
2012 saw the release of Grimes' critically acclaimed album "Visions" under 4AD, which catapulted her to fame. The album garnered awards and solidified her position as a rising star in the music scene.
April 2013: Grimes Addresses Sexism in Music Industry
Grimes publicly addressed the sexism she faced as a female musician in April 2013, sparking a conversation about gender inequality in the industry.
December 2013: Signing with Roc Nation
In December 2013, Grimes made a strategic move by signing with Roc Nation, Jay-Z's management company.
2013: Critical Acclaim and Awards for "Visions"
In 2013, "Visions" continued to garner acclaim, appearing on numerous year-end lists and earning Grimes the Juno Award for Electronic Album of the Year. NME even included it on their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
2013: Grimes' Art and Fashion Collaborations
Grimes designed an alternate cover for Image Comics' 'The Wicked + The Divine' and collaborated with Saint Laurent on a t-shirt collection.
June 26, 2014: Premiere of "Go" with Blood Diamonds
Grimes premiered her track "Go," featuring Blood Diamonds, on Zane Lowe's radio show on June 26, 2014. The track was initially written for Rihanna.
July 2014: Feature on Bleachers' "Take Me Away"
July 2014 saw Grimes collaborating with Bleachers on the track "Take Me Away" from their album "Strange Desire.
August 19, 2014: Collaboration on HAIM's "My Song 5" Remix
Grimes was featured on the remix of HAIM's "My Song 5" released on August 19, 2014.
2014: Public Statement Against Hard Drugs
In 2014, Grimes authored a blog post expressing her aversion to hard drugs, marking a shift in her perspective on substance use.
2014: Pitchfork's Accolades for "Oblivion"
Pitchfork named Grimes' "Oblivion" the best song of 2012 and later ranked it number one on their "200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far" list in 2014.
March 8, 2015: Release of "Realiti" Demo Video
Grimes released a self-directed video for a demo version of "Realiti" on March 8, 2015, a track initially intended for a scrapped album.
March 15, 2015: Collaboration with Bleachers on "Entropy"
Grimes and Bleachers released their collaborative track "Entropy" for the HBO show "Girls" on March 15, 2015.
October 26, 2015: "Flesh Without Blood" and "Life in the Vivid Dream" Release
On October 26, 2015, Grimes released the lead single "Flesh Without Blood" from her upcoming album, Art Angels, along with a two-act music video for both "Flesh Without Blood" and another new song, "Life in the Vivid Dream."
2015: Release of Critically Acclaimed Album "Art Angels"
Grimes released her fourth studio album, "Art Angels," in 2015 to widespread critical acclaim, with many publications hailing it as the best album of the year. This further cemented her status as a leading figure in experimental pop music.
January 19, 2016: "Kill V. Maim" Music Video Release
On January 19, 2016, Grimes continued the series of music videos for her album Art Angels with the release of "Kill V. Maim" ("Act III").
May 9, 2016: "California" Music Video Release
Grimes released the music video for "California" ("Act IV") on May 9, 2016, using a slightly remixed version of the song for a more cohesive visual and auditory experience.
August 3, 2016: "Medieval Warfare" Release for Suicide Squad
Grimes contributed the song "Medieval Warfare" to the soundtrack of the superhero film Suicide Squad, released on August 3, 2016.
October 5, 2016: "The Ac!d Reign Chronicles" Release
On October 5, 2016, Grimes and Hana released "The Ac!d Reign Chronicles," a series of seven lo-fi music videos featuring songs by both artists. Recorded over two weeks during their European tour, the videos were made with minimal production, shot entirely on iPhones.
2016: Art Angels Acclaim and Awards
In 2016, Grimes's album Art Angels received widespread acclaim, being named album of the year by several publications. It achieved commercial success, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard US Top Alternative Album Chart. Grimes's work also earned her the 2016 International award at the Socan Annual Awards and the 2016 Harper's Bazaar Musician of the Year Award.
2016: Ac!d Reign Tour and Festival Appearances
Grimes embarked on the Ac!d Reign Tour in the spring of 2016, touring Asia and Europe with Hana as the supporting act. She continued to tour throughout the summer, performing at various music festivals across North America and opening for Florence and the Machine on select dates of the How Beautiful Tour.
February 2, 2017: "Venus Fly" Music Video Premiere on Tidal
Grimes premiered the high-budget, futuristic music video for "Venus Fly," featuring Janelle Monáe, on Tidal on February 2, 2017.
February 9, 2017: "Venus Fly" Music Video Release on YouTube
On February 9, 2017, the music video for "Venus Fly" was uploaded to YouTube after its initial premiere on Tidal.
October 19, 2017: "Dark Come Soon" Cover Release
Grimes and Hana released a cover of Tegan and Sara's "Dark Come Soon" on October 19, 2017, as part of Tegan and Sara's album The Con X: Covers.
February 2018: Announcement of Two Upcoming Albums
In February 2018, Grimes revealed on Instagram that she would be releasing two albums, separated by a period of time. The first would be released through 4AD, her current label, and the second through an undisclosed label. She described the first album as "highly collaborative" and characterized by "most glorious light," while the second would explore themes of "pure darkness and chaos."
April 10, 2018: Feature on Janelle Monáe's "Pynk"
Grimes was featured on "Pynk," the third single from Janelle Monáe's album Dirty Computer, released on April 10, 2018.
May 30, 2018: Feature on Loona yyxy's "Love4Eva"
Grimes collaborated with South Korean girl group Loona's sub-unit, Loona yyxy, on their lead single "Love4Eva," released on May 30, 2018, as part of their debut EP Beauty & the Beat.
June 15, 2018: Apple's Behind the Mac Feature and Song Previews
On June 15, 2018, Grimes was featured in a video for Apple's Behind the Mac series, where she previewed a song from her upcoming album titled "That's What the Drugs Are For." On the same day, she shared snippets of two more songs from the album, "adore u (beautiful game)" and "4ÆM," on Twitter.
October 19, 2018: Feature on Jimmy Urine's "The Medicine Does Not Control Me"
Grimes lent her vocals to Jimmy Urine's song "The Medicine Does Not Control Me" from his album Euringer, released on October 19, 2018.
October 31, 2018: Collaboration and Controversy with Poppy
Grimes collaborated with Poppy on the song "Play Destroy," which was included on Poppy's album Am I a Girl?, released on October 31, 2018. However, the collaboration was followed by accusations from Poppy, who claimed that Grimes had bullied her during the making of the song.
November 29, 2018: "We Appreciate Power" Release
Grimes released the single "We Appreciate Power," featuring Hana, on November 29, 2018. The song was noted for its industrial rock and nu metal influences.
December 11, 2018: Performance on The Tonight Show
Grimes performed "We Appreciate Power" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on December 11, 2018.
2018: Relationship with Elon Musk Begins
Grimes's relationship with Elon Musk began in 2018 after connecting on Twitter over a shared joke about Rococo and Roko's basilisk, though there are rumors that Grimes' ex Jaime Brooks actually made the joke first.
2018: Allegations of Bullying and NDA Abuse
In 2018, singer Poppy accused Grimes of bullying songwriters into signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
2018: Relationship with Jaime Brooks Ends
Grimes's relationship with electronic musician Jaime Brooks ended in 2018.
August 13, 2019: Adidas by Stella McCartney Campaign and Single Announcement
On August 13, 2019, Grimes announced through an Instagram advertisement for the Adidas by Stella McCartney Fall 2019 collection that she would release the first single from her upcoming album, Miss Anthropocene, on September 13, 2019.
September 5, 2019: "Violence" Music Video Release
Grimes released the music video for "Violence," featuring i_o, on September 5, 2019.
September 13, 2019: Expected Release Date of First Single from Miss Anthropocene
September 13, 2019, was the date Grimes had announced for the release of the first single from her album Miss Anthropocene. However, the release did not occur as planned.
October 25, 2019: Miss Anthropocene Leak
An unfinished version of Grimes's album Miss Anthropocene was leaked online on October 25, 2019.
November 15, 2019: "So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth" Release and 2019 Video Game Awards Performance
On November 15, 2019, Grimes released two versions of the single "So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth" and performed "4ÆM" at the 2019 Video Game Awards, where she was also introduced as Lizzy Wizzy, a voiced character in the video game Cyberpunk 2077.
November 29, 2019: "My Name Is Dark" Release
Grimes released the single "My Name Is Dark" on November 29, 2019.
December 13, 2019: "4ÆM" Release
Grimes released the single "4ÆM" on December 13, 2019.
February 12, 2020: "Delete Forever" Release
Grimes released the single "Delete Forever" on February 12, 2020, a song she said was partly inspired by the death of Lil Peep and the opioid crisis.
February 21, 2020: Miss Anthropocene Release
Grimes's album Miss Anthropocene was officially released on February 21, 2020.
February 27, 2020: "Idoru" Music Video Release
The music video for Grimes's song "Idoru" was released on February 27, 2020.
April 1, 2020: "You'll Miss Me When I'm Not Around" Music Video Release and Fan Participation
Grimes released the music video for "You'll Miss Me When I'm Not Around" on April 1, 2020, and invited fans to participate by finishing the video, which featured only Grimes and a green screen.
June 17, 2020: Feature on Ashnikko's "Cry"
Grimes collaborated with Ashnikko on the song "Cry," which was included on Ashnikko's mixtape Demidevil, released on June 17, 2020.
November 11, 2020: Grimes featured on Benee's debut album
On November 11, 2020, Grimes collaborated with New Zealand singer Benee on the song "Sheesh" for her debut album 'Hey U X'.
December 11, 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 DJ Mix Release
Grimes, alongside other artists using aliases, released a DJ mix album inspired by the video game Cyberpunk 2077 titled 'This story is dedicated to all those cyberpunks who fight against injustice and corruption every day of their lives!'. The album included two new Grimes songs, "Samana" and "Delicate Weapon".
December 18, 2020: Grimes Changes 'Miss Anthropocene' Album Cover
Nine months after its initial release, Grimes updated the cover art for her album 'Miss Anthropocene' on December 18, 2020. The new artwork was a painting by Rupid Leejm.
2020: Release of Album "Miss Anthropocene"
In 2020, Grimes released her fifth studio album, "Miss Anthropocene," a project that continued to explore her evolving sound and artistic vision.
2020: Birth of First Child with Elon Musk
In 2020, Grimes and Elon Musk welcomed their first child together, a son. They chose Go Won, a member of the K-pop group Loona whom Grimes collaborated with, to be their son's godmother.
2020: Voice Acting Debut & TV Appearances
Grimes lent her voice to the video game "Cyberpunk 2077" and became a judge on the music competition show "Alter Ego" in 2020, expanding her creative ventures beyond music.
January 1, 2021: 'Miss Anthropocene: Rave Edition' Release
On January 1, 2021, Grimes released a remix album of her album 'Miss Anthropocene' featuring remixes by various artists such as BloodPop, Channel Tres, and Modeselektor.
March 5, 2021: Grimes Signs With Columbia Records
Grimes signed a record deal with Columbia Records on March 5, 2021.
July 2021: Grimes Judges New Singing Competition 'Alter Ego'
Grimes joined the judging panel of the singing competition show 'Alter Ego' in July 2021, alongside other notable figures in music.
September 2021: Semi-Separation from Elon Musk
Grimes and Elon Musk's relationship underwent a significant shift in September 2021 when they announced their "semi-separation."
2021: Grimes' Success in NFT Art Sales
Grimes sold her original digital artwork as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in early 2021, generating $5.8 million in sales.
January 2022: Grimes Partners with Rocket League
Grimes collaborated with the video game Rocket League for their 'Neon Nights' event in January 2022, featuring Grimes-themed in-game items and her music.
January 2022: Grimes Describes Relationship with Musk as "Fluid"
In January 2022, Grimes provided insight into the dynamic of her relationship with Elon Musk, characterizing it as "fluid." This statement hinted at the unconventional nature of their bond.
February 3, 2022: Grimes Announces 'Fairies Cum First' EP
On February 3, 2022, Grimes revealed her upcoming EP titled 'Fairies Cum First'.
March 2022: Grimes Calls Musk Her "Best Friend" and "Love of My Life"
Despite the complexities and periods of separation in their relationship, Grimes, in March 2022, publicly affirmed Elon Musk as her "best friend" and "the love of my life," underscoring the enduring connection between them.
May 2022: Grimes Joins Unicorn DAO Board
In May 2022, Grimes announced her role on the board of Unicorn DAO, an organization supporting female and non-binary artists.
August 2022: Grimes Discusses Upcoming Projects in Vogue Plus China
In an August 2022 issue of Vogue Plus China, Grimes discussed her collaboration with The Weeknd, revealing the song's title as "Sci Fi". She also hinted at an extensive project involving her upcoming album and EP.
January 2023: Grimes Announces Music Career 'Side Quest'
In January 2023, Grimes updated fans on her sixth album's delay, stating her music career had become secondary to her children, friends, and family.
April 2023: Grimes Encourages AI Use in Music
Grimes invited the public to utilize her voice in AI-generated songs in April 2023, expressing her interest in challenging copyright norms.
May 2023: Controversial Statements on Patriarchy and White Culture
In May 2023, Grimes sparked controversy with comments she made in an interview. She expressed a nuanced view on patriarchy, acknowledging its oppressive nature while also suggesting it played a role in societal development. Additionally, she faced backlash for tweets defending "white culture" after being labeled a Nazi by online critics. Grimes stated she was proud of white culture and emphasized the need to acknowledge the accomplishments of all groups while allowing for pride in one's own heritage.
September 2023: Birth of Third Child with Elon Musk and Legal Dispute
Reports surfaced in September 2023 indicating that Grimes and Elon Musk had become parents to another child, adding to their unconventional family. However, this news coincided with a legal battle as Grimes filed a lawsuit against Musk concerning parental rights in a California court. Allegedly, Musk sought to keep the details of the hearing private, requesting the court documents to be sealed. Subsequently, it was revealed that Musk had initiated a child custody suit after Grimes traveled to California with two of their children and did not return as planned.
March 2024: Grimes Announces Relationship with Matteo Milleri
In March 2024, Grimes revealed her relationship with American DJ Matteo Milleri, professionally known as Anyma, signaling a new chapter in her romantic life.
April 2024: Grimes' Coachella Set Faces Technical Issues
Grimes experienced technical difficulties during her DJ set at Coachella in April 2024, attributing the problems to outsourced preparation work.