Soulful singer/songwriter and Maryland native Grenique grew up in a distinctively creative and musical family: her poet mother and percussionist father gave her the name Grenique because her father's name is Greg, and her mother knew she would be unique. They also gave her a thorough background in jazz and soul music, leading her to absorb elements of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Phyllis Hyman, Cameo, and Chaka Khan into her own approach.