Madison McFerrin

Biography

Madison McFerrin, born November 5, 1991, in San Francisco, California, is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her innovative blend of a cappella, soul, jazz, and electronic music. The daughter of legendary vocalist Bobby McFerrin and granddaughter of operatic baritone Robert McFerrin Sr., Madison grew up immersed in a rich musical environment, exposed to artists like Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, and Erykah Badu. She decided to pursue singing at the age of five and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she honed her songwriting skills and formed the funk band Cosmodrome.

After graduating, McFerrin moved to Brooklyn and began her independent career, initially gaining attention for her unique 'soulappella' style—layered, looped vocal harmonies performed live. Her debut EP, 'Finding Foundations: Vol. 1,' was released in 2016, followed by 'Finding Foundations: Vol. II' in 2018, both earning critical acclaim for their vocal dexterity and fresh approach to a cappella. Madison’s music has been featured in major venues and festivals, and she has received recognition from outlets like Pitchfork and NPR. Her debut album, 'I Hope You Can Forgive Me,' arrived in 2023, followed by 'SCORPIO' in 2025, solidifying her place in the new school of soul and alternative R&B. McFerrin is also known for her community engagement, curating performance series that uplift women of color and support social justice initiatives.

Fun Facts

• Madison's grandfather, Robert McFerrin Sr., was the first Black man to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
• Her first solo show in Brooklyn sold out, and The New York Times praised her 'wonderful vocal dexterity.'
• She was a finalist in NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series in 2017 and has performed at major festivals like SXSW and Pitchfork Midwinter.
• Her song 'Run' was inspired by discovering her great-great-great-grandmother's escape from enslavement, and features her father Bobby McFerrin.

Associated Acts

• VOICES FROM MARS

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bobby McFerrin - Father and early musical influence; jazz vocalist and conductor (Touring together, vocal inspiration) [Childhood–present]
• The Beatles - Stylistic influence during her studies at Berklee (Songwriting approach) [College years]
• Erykah Badu - Influence on vocal style and songwriting (General influence) [Adolescence–present]
• Bob Dylan - Songwriting influence during Berklee studies (General influence) [College years]

Key Collaborators

• Taylor McFerrin - Brother and musical collaborator (Production and live performances) [2010s–present]
• Binary Soul - Electronic duo formed after college (Live performances) [Post-college]
• Tyler, The Creator - Featured artist (Song 'Don't You Worry Baby') [2025]
• Bobby McFerrin - Vocal duet on 'Run' (Track on 'I Hope You Can Forgive Me') [2023]

Artists Influenced

• No widely documented direct proteges - Her innovative 'soulappella' style has inspired a new generation of vocalists and independent soul artists (General influence in alternative R&B and a cappella scenes) [2016–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. head.rap (ft. Madison McFerrin, Ogi, Jordan Ward) (From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID)
2. head.rap (ft. Madison McFerrin, Ogi, Jordan Ward)
3. OMW (I Hope You Can Forgive Me)
4. TRY
5. Ain't It Nice
6. Outré Lux (feat. Madison McFerrin) (Onism)
7. Getaway - Henrik Schwarz Remix
8. Stay Away (From Me) (I Hope You Can Forgive Me)
9. Learn Your Lesson - Photay Remix
10. Ain't It Nice (SCORPIO)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #a-cappella, #future-soul, #r&b