In just three years, Griff has skyrocketed from recording songs in her bedroom to touring the world with Coldplay and Taylor Swift. Her debut album, Vertigo, has entered the UK chart at number three, cementing her status as a rising star.
Griff’s success hasn’t come as a surprise to everyone. The Brit Awards named her a rising star in 2021, and the BBC included her on its new talent hotlist the same year. Born Sarah Griffiths, she signed to Warner Records in 2019 and gained a following during the pandemic with her emotionally vulnerable pop songs.
Despite her rapid ascent, Griff still gets nervous before performances. “I think I’ve learned that nerves never go away,” she says. “But it’s a unique high, having people sing [your words] back to you.”
Griff’s debut album, Vertigo, appears to be a straightforward break-up record, but she says the experience of heartbreak was tougher than she imagined. “Being let down or feeling rejection is harder to articulate than you can imagine.”
The album features collaborations with Chris Martin, who helped her strip back the emotionally naked song “Astronaut.” Griff says touring stadiums with bands like Coldplay has affected her songwriting, with big, singalong choruses designed to be “euphoric and congregational.”
Griff grew up as a member of Hillsong, a non-denominational Christian megachurch, which taught her about the power of music. She feels a sense of responsibility to represent underrepresented communities in the music industry. “I still think the UK is yet to see an artist of color that really, really breaks internationally,” she says.
Griff is encouraged by the success of artists like Charli XCX and Raye, and values the support of fellow up-and-comers like Holly Humberstone and Maisie Peters. With the backing of Taylor Swift and a growing fanbase, Griff’s future looks bright. “My ultimate goal is just to write songs that outlive me,” she says.
