Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya, born May 23, 1998, in Compton, California, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was raised by his African-American mother, while his Filipino father was largely absent. His interest in guitar began at age seven through the video game Guitar Hero. He started producing his first songs on his iPhone.
The Internet
While in high school, Lacy met future bandmate Jameel Bruner who was in the jazz band. This connection led to him joining the alternative R&B band The Internet in 2015 as their guitarist. He contributed to the band's third studio album, Ego Death (2015), which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. He also worked on the band's fourth album, Hive Mind (2018).
Solo Career
Lacy's solo career began to take shape while he was still a member of The Internet. He released his debut project, a song series titled Steve Lacy's Demo, in February 2017. This was followed by his debut studio album, Apollo XXI, released on May 24, 2019. The album earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Breakthrough with Gemini Rights
His second studio album, Gemini Rights, was released on July 15, 2022, to critical acclaim. The album's lead single, "Bad Habit," became a viral sensation, partly due to its popularity on TikTok, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This marked his first number-one single. Gemini Rights won the Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album.
Musical Style and Collaborations
Lacy's music is often described as a blend of alternative R&B, neo-soul, funk, and indie rock. He has famously used his iPhone and an iRig plug-in to create music early in his career. He has collaborated with and produced for a wide range of artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Tyler, the Creator, Vampire Weekend, and Mac Miller.