If you haven’t been paying attention to Tate McRae’s rise, it’s time to catch up. Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer Tate McRae has taken over the pop scene and looks to climb to new heights with her third studio album, So Close To What, released on February 21, 2025.
From Youtube Sensation to Pop Star
Before she was selling out tours and racking up billions of career streams, Tate McRae was a kid with a dream—plus some sensational dance moves. Devoted fans, or “Tater Tots,” will remember her early YouTube and competitive dance days, where she posted original songs and passionate dance videos.
But YouTube wasn’t her only platform to showcase her skills. She competed in prestigious dance competitions like the Youth America Grand Prix, The Dance Awards, and So You Think You Can Dance. Her captivating stage presence and emotionally charged songwriting quickly caught the attention of music lovers and industry giants worldwide.
Her first mainstream recognition came in 2016 when she competed as a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation, finishing third at just 13 years old. Shortly after, she launched her YouTube channel, Create With Tate, in 2017, which has since been changed to Tate McRae. Her debut song on the channel, “One Day,” gained millions of views, making it clear that a bigger stage awaited her.
RCA Records Signs Rising Talent
In 2019, RCA Records secured a future superstar by signing Tate McRae. A year later, she debuted her first EP, All the Things I Never Said, which became an instant success, amassing nearly a billion streams to date and setting the tone for her career.
Her 2022 debut album, I Used to Think I Could Fly, solidified her status as a pop powerhouse. She dominated the Juno Awards, winning Album of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Single of the Year for “She’s All I Wanna Be.” The album soared to No. 13 on the US Billboard 200, further proving that her authenticity and electrifying performances had captivated fans worldwide.
In 2023, McRae released her sophomore album, Think Later, fully stepping into her power with a bold and dynamic sound. The album featured sleek production and infectious beats, racking up an impressive 3.8 billion streams worldwide. Tracks like “greedy” and “exes” soared on the Billboard Hot 100, landing at No. 3 and No. 34, respectively. “Greedy” became her first top 10 hit, setting the precedent for an even brighter future.
A New Era of Cool
Continuing her scorching hot streak, Tate McRae has dropped her third album, So Close To What. The project showcases her ability to blend vulnerable lyrics with raw energy, packed with high-energy tracks that make it impossible not to move to the beat. Her club-ready anthems and energetic ballads command attention, cementing her status as a must-watch artist.
On its first day of release, So Close To What amassed 31.8 million streams on Spotify and leaped to the number four position on Billboard 200. It is now her first #1 on the Billboard chart in just 2 short weeks! A standout track on the new album, “Sports Car,” has made waves in the music scene, currently sitting at No. 57 on Billboard 100 after peaking at No. 21. With each new release, McRae continues to refine her sound and grow her confidence, proving that she’s only just getting started.
The Ultimate Triple Threat
Canada’s own singer, songwriter, and dancer brings a level of stage-performance that the industry has been craving. Her extensive background in dance and songwriting gives her a unique edge that’s hard to match. Whether she’s delivering jaw-dropping choreography or hitting glass-shattering high notes, McRae is an artist whose name will continue to dominate the charts.
SNL Appearance Shows Contrasts in Songwriting and Performance
Tate McRae was the Musical Guest on Saturday Night Live this past Saturday, celebrating the release of her new album. This marks her second time on the show after performing “greedy” and “grave” in 2023. She joins another young force in the entertainment industry, comedian Shane Gillis, who hosts tonight’s show.
This time she performed her new two hit songs. She certainly put the stage crew through some paces. For “Sportscar” she went from an elaborate set of stacked chairs and surrounded by male papparazi dancers taking photos. Her next single, “Dear God” the tone changed to a minimalist setting. Tate’s natural presence and command on stage suggest she’d be a natural.
One thing is certain: Tune in or tune out, but Tate McRae will continue to show up and show out. She will launching “The Miss Possessive Tour” on March 18th in Mexico City then will hit the road through Europe, Canada & North America. So she will be hitting the road for around 6 months.
