Steve Lacy Ethnicity: How His Mixed Heritage Inspired His Music

Publish date: 2024-05-08

Steve Lacy is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer who has made a name for himself in the music industry. He is best known as the guitarist of the alternative R&B band The Internet, and for his solo projects such as Steve Lacy’s Demo (2017) and Apollo XXI (2019). He has also collaborated with artists such as Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, Solange Knowles, Kendrick Lamar, and Vampire Weekend. But what is Steve Lacy’s ethnicity, and how does it influence his musical style and identity?

Filipino and African-American Roots

Steve Lacy was born in Compton, California, on May 23, 1998, to a Filipino father and an African-American mother. His father was largely absent from his life and died when Lacy was 10 years old. His mother raised him and his sister Asia Lacy (Asiatica) in a sheltered environment, away from the violence and crime that plagued Compton at the time. Lacy has said that he grew up feeling like an outsider, not fitting in with either the black or the Asian communities. He has also said that he faced racism and bullying from both sides, especially in school.

Lacy developed an interest in music at an early age, inspired by his mother’s love for jazz and soul. He learned how to play the guitar through the video game Guitar Hero, and later bought an actual guitar and taught himself how to play. He met Jameel Bruner, his future bandmate in The Internet, while in the jazz band at high school. He also started producing his own songs on his iPhone, using a plug-in for his guitar called an iRig.

A Rising Star in the Music Industry

Lacy’s musical talent caught the attention of Syd tha Kyd and Matt Martians, the founders of The Internet. They invited him to join their band as a guitarist and producer in 2013, when he was only 15 years old. He contributed to their third studio album, Ego Death (2015), which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. He also released his self-produced debut EP, Steve Lacy’s Demo (2017), which showcased his eclectic and experimental style of alternative R&B, neo soul, funk, jazz, indie rock, lo-fi, and psychedelic soul.

Lacy’s solo work attracted the attention of other prominent artists in the music industry, who sought him out for collaborations. He worked with Frank Ocean on the song “911 / Mr. Lonely” by Tyler, the Creator; co-wrote songs for Solange Knowles on her album A Seat at the Table (2016); and produced a track for Kendrick Lamar on his album DAMN. (2017). He also featured on the single “Sunflower” by Vampire Weekend (2019), which became a hit on alternative radio stations.

Lacy released his debut studio album, Apollo XXI (2019), which received critical acclaim and earned him another Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. The album explored themes such as sexuality, identity, love, and self-discovery. Lacy came out as bisexual in an interview with i-D magazine in 2019, saying that he wanted to be honest with himself and his fans. He also said that he hoped to inspire other young people who are struggling with their sexuality or identity.

Lacy continued to collaborate with other artists such as Calvin Harris (under the moniker Love Regenerator), Mac Miller, Jorja Smith, Kali Uchis, and Thundercat. He also released his second studio album, Gemini Rights (2022), which debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned the single “Bad Habit”, which became Lacy’s first song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after going viral on TikTok. The song earned him two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, with its parent album winning Best Progressive R&B Album.

Lacy was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023, who praised him for his musical versatility and innovation. He was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A Proud Blasian Artist

Steve Lacy is one of the most successful and influential Blasian artists in the music industry today. He has embraced his mixed heritage and used it as a source of inspiration and creativity for his music. He has also used his platform to advocate for social justice and equality for marginalized communities.

Lacy has said that he is proud of his Filipino and African-American roots, and that he wants to represent both cultures in his music. He has also said that he wants to challenge the stereotypes and expectations that society has for people of mixed ethnicity.

Lacy has said that he hopes to inspire other Blasian people, especially young people, to be proud of who they are and to pursue their dreams. He has also said that he hopes to collaborate with more Blasian artists in the future, and to create a Blasian musical movement.

Steve Lacy is a Blasian artist who has made a mark in the music industry with his unique and diverse musical style. He is a role model for many people who identify with his ethnicity, and a trailblazer for the Blasian community. He is Steve Lacy, and he is proud of his ethnicity.

ncG1vNJzZmikmZh6rrHRnJ%2BapqRjsLC5jpuss7JfqMGmwsRmo5qbqWKytbTNopqirKlitbDDjKGgrGWdnsWmsIyhnKuhpJa0pnnIp6qpoaKasW60yKxkpq2jnrBufo4%3D