Exploring The Unknown With Skylar Grey

Tattooed by some of our favorite artists—including Tye Harris, Josh Lord and Mister Cartoon—the songwriter behind your favorite Grammy-winning hip-hop hits shares her latest album release, “Angel With Tattoos.”

- Tess Adamakos

You’ve heard Skylar Grey’s vocals on countless chart-toppers, including Fort Minor’s “Where’d You Go,” Dr. Dre’s “I Need a Doctor” and Nicki Minaj’s “Bed of Lies.” You’ve seen Margot Robbie kick ass to Grey’s contributions to the “Suicide Squad” soundtrack, and you’ve appreciated her songwriting through hits including Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love the Way You Lie,” and Celine Dion’s “Falling In Love Again.”

While known for writing some of the new age hip-hop’s biggest bangers, Grey is returning to her Wisconsin roots with her latest project, “Angel With Tattoos.” Echoing Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell, the EP comes with the tattooed-edge only an angel with ink can bring.

Growing up with a folk-musician mother and a father in a barbershop quartet, “Angel With Tattoos” features a ‘70s vibe as an ode to the diverse music of her childhood, while seamlessly bridging the generational gap, with hints of Sheryl Crow and KT Tunstall shining through.

Grey, engaged to singer/songwriter Elliott Taylor—who nicknamed Grey “angel with tattoos”—tells Inked that inspired this project. “It’s to help the world believe in love again,” Grey says. “In this day and age, it’s almost expected to have a fucked-up relationship, but I don’t want people to forget that true love and happiness really do exist.” Grey wants people to still believe in the fairytale romance, as she first-hand experiences that it’s out there, and it’s possible.