grandson

Jordan Benjamin, performing under the name Grandson, fuses bluesy hard rock guitars with trap-influenced beats and EDM production while delivering lyrics that probe addiction, mental health struggles, and the pressures of ordinary existence. Through his recordings and alliances with nonprofit groups, he tackles societal concerns and spotlights mental health, social justice, and voter suppression. Several alternative radio successes in the United States and Canada, among them the 2017 track “Blood//Water,” preceded collaborations with K.Flay, X-Ambassadors, and Mike Shinoda; his first full-length release, Death of an Optimist, followed in 2020, and the sophomore album I Love You, I’m Trying surfaced in 2023.

Born in Englewood, New Jersey, Benjamin spent his formative years in Toronto within a musical household steeped in classic rock, hip-hop, dancehall, and additional styles. After mastering guitar and piano on his own, he took up beatboxing and freestyle rapping, then captured early song sketches as a McGill University student in Montreal. Moving to Los Angeles, he partnered with producers Kevin Hissink and HighxLand; the September 2016 single “Bills” amassed more than a million streams, secured an RCA contract, and paved the way for a 2017 burst of singles that included “Kiss Bang” and the politically charged “War.” Two further cautionary singles, “Overdose” and “Thoughts & Prayers,” arrived in 2018.

Transitioning to Fueled by Ramen, Benjamin achieved wider recognition with “Blood//Water,” the centerpiece of his debut EP A Modern Tragedy, Vol. 1 later that year. Fronted by “Apologize,” the follow-up EP A Modern Tragedy, Vol. 2 reached listeners in February 2019; No Apologies Live and A Modern Tragedy, Vol. 3 completed the series before year’s end. He joined X-Ambassadors on their 2020 radio hit “Zen,” which also featured K.Flay, and teamed with K.Flay again for the EP Text Voter XX to 40649. Extensive international touring paired with politically activist themes expanded his audience, driving streams into the millions. His studio debut Death of an Optimist appeared in December 2020 after the singles “Identity” and “Riptide.” The non-album track “Rain,” featuring Jessie Reyez, emerged in June 2021. Early 2023 brought “Drones,” the lead single from I Love You, I’m Trying, which arrived that May.