Tate McRae

Early life and dance career

Tate McRae was born on Canada Day in 2003 in Calgary, Alberta, to Tanja Rosner, a German dance instructor, and Todd McRae, a lawyer of Scottish descent. At age two, her family moved to Oman for her father's work, where she attended The American International School Muscat for three years before returning to Calgary. She began recreational dance training at age six and later trained intensively with Drewitz Dance Productions and at her mother's studio, YYC Dance Project. McRae also underwent ballet training at the School of Alberta Ballet, the official training school for the Alberta Ballet Company. She completed her high school education online, graduating from Western Canada High School in 2021.

McRae's competitive dance career began with significant accolades at a young age. She won the Mini Best Female Dancer award at the 2013 Dance Awards in New York City. In 2015, she earned a two-week scholarship to the Berlin State Ballet after winning medals at the Youth America Grand Prix and was again named Best Female Dancer, this time in the Junior category. Her prominence grew through social media, leading to a brand ambassador role for Capezio dance shoes and a performance at a Justin Bieber concert in Calgary in 2016. That same year, she became a finalist on the thirteenth season of So You Think You Can Dance, placing third and becoming the highest-placing Canadian in the show's history.

Her dance achievements continued to accumulate in the following years. She performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show twice, in 2016 as part of the DancerPalooza and Jump Dance Convention troupes. She was featured on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine in April 2017 and performed in the Alberta Ballet's production "Our Canada" that May. In 2018, she won the Best Female Dancer award in the Teen category at the Dance Awards in Las Vegas, making her the first dancer to win in all categories from mini to teen in the competition's history. She also choreographed and danced in the music video for Nothing More's song "Just Say When" in April 2018.

Transition to music and breakthrough

McRae began her musical journey in 2017 by posting original songs she wrote and recorded in her bedroom to her YouTube channel. Her first independent single, "One Day", amassed over 40 million views and was later certified gold in Canada. From 2017 to 2019, she continued releasing independent music, which led to her being named YouTube's Artist on the Rise. She signed a recording contract with RCA Records in August 2019 and released the singles "Tear Myself Apart", "All My Friends Are Fake" and "Stupid", the latter of which charted in Canada and Ireland and was certified gold in Canada. Her debut EP, All the Things I Never Said, was released in January 2020, followed by a completely sold-out headline tour in Europe and North America.

The turning point in McRae's music career came with the release of "You Broke Me First" in April 2020. The song became an international hit, reaching the top ten in countries including Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It marked her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it charted for 38 weeks, becoming the longest-charting song by a female artist in 2020. The single also broke a record by taking 28 weeks to reach number one on the Mediabase Top 40 chart, the longest climb for a female solo artist. She performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Her rapid rise during the COVID-19 pandemic led a Canadian Press music reporter to describe her as a bonafide star of the lockdown. Throughout 2020, McRae released several other singles and received widespread recognition as a breakthrough artist. She was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist, named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the music category as the youngest honouree, and featured on Rolling Stone's list of top ten breakthrough artists of the year. She also signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony/ATV following the success of "You Broke Me First".

Rise to pop stardom

McRae's second EP, Too Young to Be Sad, was released in March 2021 and debuted at number 94 on the US Billboard 200. It became the most streamed female EP of 2021 on Spotify, amassing over one billion streams. The EP earned Juno Award nominations for Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year in 2022. That year, McRae also became an Apple Music Up Next artist and was featured on the song "You" with Regard and Troye Sivan. In 2021, she performed a global virtual show, signed an endorsement deal with Essentia Water, and was featured on the soundtrack for the series Panic with the track "Darkest Hour".

McRae's debut studio album, I Used to Think I Could Fly, was released in May 2022. It was preceded by the successful singles "She's All I Wanna Be", which reached the top ten in Canada, and "Chaotic". The album debuted at number three on the Canadian Albums Chart and number 13 on the US Billboard 200, receiving positive reviews from critics. In late 2022, she began signalling a shift toward a more pop-oriented sound, which materialized with her 2023 single "Greedy". The song became a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard Global 200 and the Canadian Hot 100, and reaching number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Her sophomore album, Think Later, followed in December 2023 and was described as a career-defining shift. It debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, marking her first top-ten album in the United States. At the 2024 Juno Awards, McRae won Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Greedy". She promoted the album with high-profile performances, including her debut on Saturday Night Live in late 2023 and appearances at the Billboard Music Awards and the NHL All-Star Game.

Commercial peak and recent work

McRae's commercial success escalated further with her third studio album, So Close to What, released in February 2025. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, becoming her first chart-topping album there. It was preceded by the singles "It's OK I'm OK", which debuted at number 20 on the Hot 100, and "2 Hands". The third single, "Sports Car", reached the top ten in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. To promote the album, McRae commenced the Miss Possessive Tour starting in March 2025 and made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, including teaching host Jimmy Fallon a dance routine. In May 2025, McRae achieved her first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 as a featured artist on Morgan Wallen's "What I Want". That same month, her song "Just Keep Watching" was released for the F1 soundtrack and earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording.

She performed at major events including the Capital Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium in June and the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas in September 2025. At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, she performed and won two awards for "Just Keep Watching". McRae released the single "Tit for Tat" in September 2025 and a deluxe version of So Close to What in November 2025. In February 2026, she appeared in an advertisement for NBC's Winter Olympics coverage, which drew some criticism from Canadians. McRae responded by affirming her Canadian identity, stating "Y'all know I'm Canada down."

Artistry and influences

McRae's music primarily incorporates pop, alternative pop and dance-pop, often blending in elements of R&B and soul. She has cited a wide range of musical influences that have shaped her sound and performance style. Her biggest musical inspirations include Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Khalid, Jessie Reyez and Jeremy Zucker. For her integration of dance into her performances, she looks to artists like Bruno Mars, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Ciara, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. She has named Taylor Swift, Julia Michaels and Alec Benjamin as key songwriting inspirations, and has described herself as a huge fan of Swift. For all-around career and life inspiration, McRae cites Zendaya and Dua Lipa as her biggest idols.

Personal life and activism

McRae's personal relationships have occasionally been part of the public record. From late 2021 to early 2023, she was in a relationship with NHL player Cole Sillinger of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In April 2024, she began a relationship with Australian rapper the Kid Laroi, with whom she collaborated on the song "I Know Love" for her 2025 album. The couple broke up in July 2025. McRae has been an active supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and women's causes. In a 2025 interview with Pride, she expressed deep appreciation for her LGBTQ+ fans, calling them her favourites. She also highlighted the importance of having LGBTQ+ members on her creative team for their honesty and input. Through initiatives like her "Little Miss Possessive" merchandise campaign, she has donated a portion of proceeds to The Trevor Project, which supports LGBTQ+ youth, and the Global Fund for Women. McRae has stated that she prefers to express her values through tangible support for causes rather than through public political statements.

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, Tate McRae has received significant recognition from music award bodies, particularly in Canada. Her most notable honours are her Juno Awards, where she has won in major categories. She has also been nominated for a Grammy Award and received various other industry accolades. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the music category in 2020 as the youngest honouree. She has also been featured on Billboard's 21 Under 21 list multiple times, Rolling Stone's top ten breakthrough artists of 2020, and People magazine's One to Watch list for 2021.

• Juno Award for Artist of the Year (2024)
• Juno Award for Single of the Year for "Greedy" (2024)
• Juno Award nomination for Album of the Year for Too Young to Be Sad (2022)
• Juno Award nomination for Pop Album of the Year for Too Young to Be Sad (2022)
• Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording for "Just Keep Watching" (2026)
• MTV Video Music Award nomination for Push Best New Artist (2020)
• Two MTV Video Music Awards for "Just Keep Watching" (2025)
• iHeartRadio Music Award nomination for Social Star Award (2021)

Discography and chart performance

Tate McRae's discography includes three studio albums and two extended plays that have charted internationally. Her commercial performance has shown consistent growth, culminating in a number-one album on the US Billboard 200. The following table outlines the chart peaks for her major studio releases in Canada and the United States. Her singles have achieved even greater chart success globally. "Greedy" reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200 in 2023. "She's All I Wanna Be" and "Sports Car" both reached the top ten in Canada. Her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, "What I Want", gave McRae her first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2025. Other significant singles include "You Broke Me First", which was a top ten hit in multiple countries and had a long chart run in the United States, and "It's OK I'm OK", which debuted at number 20 on the Hot 100.

Questions about Tate McRae

How did Tate McRae become famous?

Tate McRae first gained attention as a competitive dancer, placing third on the American show So You Think You Can Dance in 2016. She transitioned to music by posting original songs on YouTube starting in 2017. Her major breakthrough came with the 2020 single "You Broke Me First", which became an international hit. Her fame solidified with the global success of "Greedy" in 2023 and her number-one album So Close to What in 2025.

What are Tate McRae's biggest songs?

Tate McRae's biggest songs include "Greedy", which topped the Billboard Global 200 and the Canadian Hot 100 in 2023. "You Broke Me First" was her first major international hit, charting in the top ten of several countries. "She's All I Wanna Be" and "Sports Car" were top ten hits in Canada. Her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, "What I Want", reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2025.

Where is Tate McRae from in Canada?

Tate McRae was born in Calgary, Alberta on Canada Day in 2003. Her family moved to Oman when she was two years old due to her father's work, and she lived there for three years before returning to Calgary at age eight. She attended Western Canada High School and completed her graduation online in 2021. After returning to Calgary, she trained intensively in dance at local studios, including her mother's company, YYC Dance Project.

Has Tate McRae won any Juno Awards?

Yes, Tate McRae has won Juno Awards. She won the Juno Award for Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for her hit song Greedy at the 2024 Juno Awards. Prior to these wins, her 2021 EP Too Young to Be Sad was nominated for Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year at the 2022 Juno Awards. These awards and nominations highlight her significant impact on the Canadian music industry.

What is Tate McRae's connection to the Kid Laroi?

Tate McRae was in a relationship with the Kid Laroi. The Australian rapper confirmed the relationship in April 2024. They collaborated on the song I Know Love from her 2025 album So Close to What. The couple broke up in July 2025, and her single Tit for Tat, released on September 26, 2025, was reportedly written about him.

Sources and further reading

• Tate McRae (Wikipedia)
• Tate McRae (first-avenue.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.