Gnash (musician)
An American producer who turned a raw, lo-fi breakup anthem into a global chart hit, defining a certain internet-era heartache.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American musician and producer·Birthday: June 16·Millennials
Biography
Garrett Nash, operating as gnash, built his world from a Los Angeles bedroom, blending soft-spoken rap, indie pop, and electronic beats into a confessional style. His breakthrough was accidental and immense: 'i hate u, i love u,' a collaboration with Olivia O'Brien, started as a SoundCloud upload. Its stark portrayal of post-relationship ambivalence struck a nerve, spiraling onto Billboard charts and to number one in Australia. The song's success framed gnash not as a traditional pop star, but as a digital-age diarist whose music felt like a late-night text. His subsequent EPs, titled with pronouns like 'u' and 'us,' continued this intimate, lowercase aesthetic, cementing his place as a voice for a generation that processes emotion online.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Gnash was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gnash Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Gnash's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His single 'i hate u, i love u' (feat. Olivia O'Brien) peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Achieved a number one single on the Australian ARIA Charts with 'i hate u, i love u'.
- Built a significant following through self-released EPs on SoundCloud before securing major label distribution.
Did You Know?
His stage name is stylized in all lowercase letters.
He is an avid skateboarder and often incorporates skate culture into his visuals.
Gnash originally produced 'i hate u, i love u' with no intention of it being a commercial single.
He has a tattoo that says 'thank you' on his arm, a reminder of gratitude from his mother.
“I made that song in my room, just trying to be honest.”
