She is truly a one-of-a-kind artist, a performer who has embodied fearless reinvention. Born May 19, 1952, in Jamaica and raised in Syracuse, New York, Grace Jones has spent a lifetime marching to her own, unique beat, and winning millions of fans and admirers along the way.
Jones began her career as a model in Paris during the early 1970s before transitioning into music—a move that would cement her as one of the most iconic and genre-defying performers of her era. Her early disco-infused albums on Island Records, including Portfolio (1977), Fame (1978), and Muse (1979), featured theatrical flair and dancefloor-ready tracks like “I Need a Man.” But it was her groundbreaking transformation in the 1980s that truly redefined her career. Teaming up with the Compass Point All Stars in the Bahamas, she fused reggae, funk, new wave, and art-pop into a bold new sound. Albums like Warm Leatherette (1980), Nightclubbing (1981), and Living My Life (1982) remain touchstones of avant-garde soul and pop. Her rendition of “Pull Up to the Bumper” became a massive hit, while “I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango)” showcased her flair for dramatic storytelling.
Jones’ androgynous style, commanding presence, and visual collaborations with artist Jean-Paul Goude helped redefine music video aesthetics and performance art. Beyond music, she starred in films like A View to a Kill and Vamp, further solidifying her status as a cultural trailblazer.
Though she has released only one studio album since the 1980s—2008’s Hurricane—Grace Jones remains an influential figure across music, fashion, and art.
