British Singer-Songwriter Griff Reflects on Her Journey and Success

In September, British singer-songwriter and producer Griff took to the stage at New York’s Terminal 5, performing to a sold-out audience as part of her Vertigo world tour. The venue, with a capacity of nearly 3,000, was transformed into an intimate and electrifying space, reminiscent of a performance at Madison Square Garden. Prior to her performance, Griff sat down with Rolling Stone backstage to discuss her debut album, her experiences on tour, and collaborations, most notably with Coldplay‘s Chris Martin.

«The longer I’m in this industry, the longer I’m trying to find comfort and just like my own marks of success, instead of looking over there and being like, oh my God, she’s doing that, or like, they’re doing that,» Griff revealed in the interview. She reflected on her unique background, stating, «Growing up, it’s been impossible. Being Chinese and Jamaican, it’s not like there’s loads of Chinese-Jamaican London girls. I think every day I need to remind myself to just remember that I’ve never been on this planet in a very conforming way.»

Griff’s performance at Terminal 5 was a testament to her definition of success, a room full of enthusiastic fans singing back every word. «Being able to sustain a really long career where I can write songs that I love and that people feel moved by them is actually what success is,» she added. The songs on her album Vertigo, she explained, emerged from a robust emotional journey within herself.

«When I was writing this album, I was feeling so much. I was so lost and so heavy and empty at the same time, but desperately trying to write these songs, almost to evoke feeling in myself,» Griff said. «It was almost like I was writing mantras for myself.» One song, «Into the Walls,» embodies this introspection, allowing her to recenter and wonder if anyone notices her absence. Another, «Astronaut,» evolved into a ballad with Martin’s influence, who suggested a stripped-back approach.

«I’m drawn to writing really broken songs,» Griff reflected. She emphasized the beauty in melancholy tunes, similar to Robyn’s «Dancing on My Own,» which evoke emotional responses while inciting dance. Griff mentioned her affinity for spiritual songs by Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary, and the emotional performances by Whitney Houston, alongside enjoying Taylor Swift, whom she joined for a tour date at Wembley Stadium.

«With Vertigo, it’s almost like this album marks the bridge of adulthood where the world becomes super heavy,» Griff explained, noting a shift from the more carefree vibe of her prior releases. Despite the challenges, she acknowledged a growth in her production skills and songwriting, stating, «I think I’ve written some of my best songs on this. So as the themes maybe get heavier, I think those songs, hopefully, are better.»