Steve Lacy Ethnicity: How His Mixed Heritage Inspired His Music

Publish date: 2024-05-07

Steve Lacy is a rising star in the music industry, known for his eclectic and innovative style of alternative R&B, neo soul, funk, jazz, indie rock, lo-fi, and psychedelic soul. He is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer who has worked 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 identity?

Filipino and African-American Roots

Steve Lacy was born on May 23, 1998, in Compton, California, to a Filipino father and an African-American mother. His birth name is Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya. His father was largely absent from his life and died when Lacy was 10 years old. His mother, Valerie, raised him and his sister Asia Lacy (Asiatica) in a sheltered environment to protect them from the violence and crime in Compton. According to EthniCelebs.com Lacy identifies as both Filipino and African-American.

Musical Beginnings

Lacy developed an interest in music at an early age, inspired by the video game Guitar Hero. He taught himself how to play the guitar using an iPhone app called iRig. He met Jameel Bruner, his future bandmate in the Internet, while in the jazz band at high school. He joined the Internet as their guitarist in 2013 and contributed to their third studio album, Ego Death, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2016. According to Wikipedia, Lacy also started producing his own songs on his iPhone using GarageBand.

Solo Career and Collaborations

In 2017, Lacy released his self-produced debut EP, Steve Lacy’s Demo, which received critical acclaim for its experimental and minimalist sound. He also collaborated with Frank Ocean on the song “911 / Mr. Lonely” by Tyler, the Creator; and co-wrote songs for artists such as Solange Knowles, Chloe x Halle, and Kendrick Lamar. He worked with Kendrick Lamar on the song “Pride”, which was featured on Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN.

In 2019, Lacy released his debut studio album, Apollo XXI, which earned him a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. The album showcased his versatility and creativity as a musician, exploring themes such as sexuality, identity, and self-discovery. He also featured on the single “Sunflower” by Vampire Weekend, which became a hit on alternative radio stations.

In 2022, Lacy released his second studio album, Gemini Rights, which peaked within the top ten of 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 was used as the soundtrack for over 400,000 videos on the platform. It earned him two Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, with its parent album winning Best Progressive R&B Album.

In 2023, Lacy was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. He also collaborated with Calvin Harris (under the moniker Love Regenerator) on the song “Live Without Your Love”, which earned him a chart entry in the United Kingdom.

Ethnicity and Music

Lacy has said that his ethnicity and mixed heritage have influenced his musical taste and style. He has cited Filipino artists such as Eraserheads and Gary Valenciano as some of his influences. He has also expressed his appreciation for African-American music genres such as R&B, soul, funk, jazz, hip hop, and gospel. He has said that he wants to represent both sides of his culture through his music.

Lacy has also used his music as a platform to express his personal views and experiences as a person of color in America. He has addressed issues such as racism, police brutality, social justice, and Black Lives Matter in some of his songs. He has also spoken out about his sexuality and gender identity, revealing that he is bisexual and genderfluid.

Lacy has said that he hopes that his music can inspire other people who feel marginalized or misunderstood because of their ethnicity or identity. He has said that he wants to make music that is authentic and honest to himself and his audience.

Conclusion

Steve Lacy is a talented and versatile musician who has made a name for himself in the music industry with his unique and innovative style of alternative R&B and other genres. He is also a proud Filipino and African-American who has used his music to celebrate his culture and express his identity. He is an inspiration to many people who share his ethnicity or relate to his experiences. Steve Lacy’s ethnicity is not only a part of his background, but also a source of his musical creativity and vision.

ncG1vNJzZmikmZh6rrHRnJ%2BapqRjsLC5jpuss7JfqMGmwsRmo5qbqWKytbTNopqirKlitbDDjKGgrGWdnsWmsIyhnKuhpJa0pnnIp6qpoaKasW60yKxkpq2jnrBw