Griff

Griff – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Dive into the story of Griff (Sarah Faith Griffiths), the English singer-songwriter born 21 January 2001. Learn about her upbringing, musical path, style, influence, and some of her memorable lines.

Introduction

Griff (born Sarah Faith Griffiths on 21 January 2001) is an English singer-songwriter who has rapidly made her mark in the pop and R&B music scene. With a strong DIY spirit — teaching herself production, writing emotionally honest lyrics, and even designing parts of her own image — she has earned critical acclaim, chart success, and a devoted fan base. Her trajectory reflects a new generation of artists navigating personal identity, vulnerability, and genre blending.

Early Life and Background

Sarah Faith Griffiths was born in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England. Her heritage is multicultural: her father’s side is of Jamaican descent (Windrush generation), and her mother’s side includes Chinese ancestry.

From a young age, she showed interest in music and sound. She learned songwriting, production, and recording techniques largely on her own, using YouTube tutorials and experimenting with software. While at school (St Clement Danes School, among others), she kept her musical ambitions somewhat private, unsure if things would take off.

Her Christian upbringing also played a role in her personal development. She has spoken about faith being a part of her life that she questioned and re-owned as she grew.

Career & Achievements

Beginnings and Breakthrough

In 2019, Griff signed with Warner Records and simultaneously released her debut single “Mirror Talk”. That summer she followed it with “Didn’t Break It Enough”, and later an EP titled The Mirror Talk.

Her early songs revealed a blend of pop, soul, and introspective lyricism. She gained attention for her vocal strength, emotional directness, and willingness to write from her own experiences.

In 2020 and 2021, she released tracks like “Good Stuff”, “Forgive Myself”, “Black Hole”, and more. In March 2021, Griff won the Brit Award for Rising Star, further elevating her visibility. Her debut mixtape One Foot in Front of the Other was released in June 2021.

Growth & Recent Works

In the following years, Griff toured supporting major artists: Dua Lipa (on European dates of the Future Nostalgia Tour), Ed Sheeran (on +-=÷× Tour), and Coldplay (as opening act).

In 2023, she released the single “Vertigo”, which Taylor Swift publicly praised. She followed with EPs Vert1go Vol. 1 and Ver2igo Vol. 2. On 12 July 2024, Griff released her debut full-length studio album Vertigo, which peaked at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

She also opened for Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium in London on 22 June 2024, as part of the Eras Tour.

Style, Themes & Approach

Griff’s music often blends pop with subtle R&B, electronic elements, and personal storytelling. She tends toward introspection, emotional vulnerability, and exploring identity, belonging, and the complexity of self.

She designs much of her image and fashion herself, and often experiments with visual styling (e.g. hair, wardrobe) as expressive extensions of her music.

Griff has spoken about stage anxiety and being deeply nervous about performing live, even as she rises to stadium-sized audiences.

Legacy & Influence

Although still early in her career, Griff is already influential in several ways:

• She’s part of a wave of young artists who are self-producing, self-styling, and taking control of their creative output rather than relying solely on external producers or image-makers.

• Her success signals that intimate, vulnerable songwriting can attract broad audiences in the streaming era.

• She gives representation to multiracial artists in the UK music scene, openly reflecting on identity, heritage, and belonging.

• Her ability to open for titans like Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran positions her as a peer among established acts, not just a supporting act.

Notable Quotes

Here are a few memorable lines and sentiments from Griff:

“I hate the idea of playing music to people.”

She described her nervousness before large shows: “I was just like … by the way.”

On her heritage and feeling of belonging:
“Growing up, I didn’t feel white growing up in a very white middle-class area.”

On songwriting and vulnerability:
“Maybe this is too much … but every time you have that feeling … that shows that maybe someone else needs to hear.”

Lessons from Griff’s Journey

1. Self-reliance and learning by doing
   Griff taught herself production, recording, and songwriting — showing that formal training is not always necessary when one has determination and resourcefulness.

2. Vulnerability resonates
   Her openness about insecurities, identity, and emotional complexity helps create deep connections with listeners.

3. Identity can be strength
   Embracing her mixed heritage and reflecting on belonging has given her artistic depth and relatability.

4. Collaboration & mentorship matter
   Working alongside major artists, being open to feedback, and connecting with peers like Chris Martin have enriched her craft.

5. Growth is incremental
   From EPs to mixtapes to a full album, Griff’s career shows that building steadily over time can yield lasting artistic transitions.