Tate McRae

Tate McRae – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life of Tate McRae: her early years, rise to fame through dance and music, her major achievements, influence, and memorable quotes. Learn the lessons her journey can teach aspiring creators.

Introduction

Tate McRae is one of the most exciting young voices in contemporary pop music. A Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer born on July 1, 2003, she has already made a remarkable impact in her teenage years and early twenties. From competing on dance shows to topping global charts, her journey is a testimony to talent, perseverance, and creative authenticity. In this article, we dig deep into Tate McRae’s life, career, philosophy, and the wisdom she shares through her art and words.

Early Life and Family

Tate Rosner McRae was born on July 1, 2003, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

When Tate was very young, her family relocated to Oman due to her father’s work, where they lived for about three years.

It was around this period she began exploring dance more seriously. By age six, she had started recreational dance training, and later, under her mother’s influence and support, she deepened her training in multiple dance disciplines.

Her early environment was supportive of both artistry and discipline — an atmosphere that would become foundational for her career in dance and music.

Youth and Education

Growing up, Tate McRae trained in a variety of dance styles. She competed with Drewitz Dance Productions and trained under YYC Dance Project (a dance company run by her mother) and pursued ballet at the School of Alberta Ballet. Mini Best Female Dancer at the 2013 Dance Awards in New York.

At age 11, she broadened her dance training, exploring contemporary styles and more technical work.

In school, she attended Western Canada High School, but later graduated via online schooling in 2021 — likely to accommodate her burgeoning performance and recording career.

Tate also diversified her creative outlets early — she began posting dance videos on YouTube and then started sharing original songs and demos recorded in her bedroom.

Her early cross-training in dance, performance, and self-expression (via songwriting) set the stage for her identity as a multi-disciplinary artist.

Career and Achievements

Dance Beginnings & Breakthrough

Tate’s background is rooted in dance. She drew attention in dance circuits and competed internationally. For example, in 2015 she earned a scholarship at the Berlin State Ballet after placing in Youth America Grand Prix competitions. Walk off the Earth music video and became a brand ambassador for Capezio.

Her first broader public exposure came through So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation in 2016, where she became the first Canadian finalist. That platform provided visibility and confidence in performance beyond just dance.

Transition to Music

Around 2017, Tate began uploading songs she had written and recorded in her bedroom to her YouTube channel. Her song “One Day” became viral, attracting millions of views and eventually being released independently. Artist on the Rise.

In August 2019, she signed with RCA Records, marking her formal entry into the music industry. Tear Myself Apart, Stupid, All My Friends Are Fake, Vicious (ft. Lil Mosey), Don’t Be Sad, Lie to Me (with Ali Gatie), and R U OK.

Her breakout global hit came in 2020/2021 with “You Broke Me First”, which reached the top 10 on the Canadian Hot 100 and the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

She released her first EP, All the Things I Never Said, in 2020, and followed up with Too Young to Be Sad in 2021. That EP became the most streamed female EP on Spotify in 2021.

Her debut studio album, I Used to Think I Could Fly (2022), performed well, peaking at No. 3 on the Canadian charts. She’s All I Wanna Be.

In 2023, Tate’s single “Greedy” achieved international success — it topped the Billboard Global 200 and the Canadian Hot 100, while reaching No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Think Later, which debuted in the top five in multiple countries.

Her third studio album, So Close to What (released in 2025), further elevated her: it reached No. 1 in Canada and on the U.S. Billboard 200. “Sports Car” also charted in the top 10 across several international markets.

In 2025, she was featured on Morgan Wallen’s track “What I Want”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — marking her first appearance atop that chart.

Recognitions, Awards & Public Reception

Tate has earned critical acclaim for her songwriting, emotional honesty, and performance abilities. Critics and fellow artists have praised her vocal nuance, choreography, and lyricism.

She has received multiple nominations and awards (e.g., Juno Awards), and industry recognition as a rising pop force.

As of 2024, her YouTube presence has accumulated over 1.5 billion views, and across platforms her streaming totals exceed 8+ billion.

Historical Milestones & Context

Tate McRae’s path is shaped by the modern era’s opportunities and challenges — social media, streaming platforms, and the blurring of creative roles (dancer + singer + writer).

• Digital democratization: Like many Gen Z artists, Tate leveraged digital platforms (YouTube, streaming, social media) to bypass traditional gatekeepers.

• Multi-hyphenate identity: Her background in dance adds depth to her music performances; she does not fit neatly into a single box.

• Emotional realism in pop: Her lyrics often explore heartbreak, mental health, self-doubt, and resilience — a trend increasingly common among younger artists seeking connection with audiences.

• Cultural bridge: As a Canadian with German/Scottish parentage and early childhood in Oman, she embodies a blend of cultural influences, which perhaps contributes to her broad appeal.

Her trajectory reflects 21st century trends: rapid rise, genre fluidity, and emphasis on personal narrative over manufactured persona.

Legacy and Influence

Though still young, Tate McRae is already leaving an imprint:

• Inspiration to young creators: Her DIY beginnings — writing and recording from her bedroom — inspire emerging artists to start with what they have.

• Cross-disciplinary appeal: She demonstrates that talent in dance, writing, and music can be integrated rather than compartmentalized.

• Emotional honesty: Her direct approach to vulnerability encourages more openness in pop music.

• Canadian pop representation: She contributes to Canada’s reputation for producing globally successful pop artists.

Her legacy is still unfolding, but she is shaping a model for artists who want to refuse being boxed in.

Personality and Talents

Tate McRae is often described as introspective, driven, and emotionally intuitive. She has acknowledged having different sides — the “normal one” and the “work one.” > “It’s funny — there’s still two sides to me: the normal one and the work one.”

She admits to overthinking and being sensitive, yet she channels that into her music-making process. > “I go through regular problems … I feel like how other people react to my old songs just ends up putting more pressure on myself.”

Her creative philosophy includes protecting her mental space: she has stated her “number one rule” is to never Google herself, believing external noise and criticism can block creativity.

In interviews, she emphasizes the importance of not creating from fear or judgment, but from freedom and passion.

Her talents span:

• Vocal ability: subtle emotional delivery and control in both ballads and more upbeat tracks.

• Songwriting: weaving personal stories and feelings into universal themes.

• Dance & performance: her choreography and stage presence are informed by her deep dance background.

• Artistic evolution: she is not afraid to shift her sound or take risks in her music direction.

Famous Quotes of Tate McRae

Here are some of Tate McRae’s memorable quotes, capturing her mindset and beliefs:

• “Dancing used to be my one and only thing … music just ended up taking over my life and it’s been amazing.”

• “It’s funny — there’s still two sides to me: the normal one and the work one.”

• “My idea of my music is constantly changing so … other people’s reaction to my old songs … puts more pressure on myself.”

• “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”

• From lyrics/quotes:
   • “I know that when it’s all done I’ll hate you bad in the long run … Break into my life and break all my rules, it’s true.”  • “What would you do if I leave and don’t come back?”  • “I go through regular problems … I’ll be a wreck for the simplest things in life, and just not affected by cool things.”

These quotes reflect her emotional transparency, introspection, and dedication to authenticity.

Lessons from Tate McRae

Tate McRae’s journey offers several lessons for artists, creators, and anyone striving for purpose:

1. Start from what you have
   You don’t need a big label or studio to begin. Tate’s early songwriting from her bedroom and uploading to YouTube shows how genuine expression can attract attention.

2. Embrace multidimensional talent
   Don’t limit yourself to a single role. Dance, songwriting, performance — combining skills can create a richer artistic identity.

3. Protect your creative mental space
   Tate’s decision to not Google herself is symbolic: minimize external noise and focus on internal truth.

4. Be courageous with change
   Her musical evolution (from introspective ballads to more pop-forward tracks) shows that growth often requires risk.

5. Own vulnerability as strength
   Her openness about heartbreak, self-doubt, and struggle resonate with many; vulnerability can deepen connection.

6. Work ethic + consistency matter
   Talent is only part of the formula; discipline, consistency, and persistence push you forward when the path is hard.

Conclusion

Tate McRae’s life and career, even at her young age, already tell a powerful story of ambition, talent, and heart. From her dance origins to global musical stardom, she has remained committed to authenticity, emotional truth, and creative exploration. Her many insights and quotes show a sincerity that resonates with listeners. As she continues evolving, her legacy is unfolding — but one thing is clear: she is a force in the making, and her journey offers inspiration to anyone seeking to create meaning through art.

Want me to also assemble a curated list of her best songs, moments, or lyric interpretations? I’d love to build that next.