Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya, an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, gained recognition as the guitarist of the alternative R&B band, the Internet. In 2017, he made waves with his self-produced debut EP, Steve Lacy’s Demo.
He later collaborated with prominent artists like Frank Ocean on the song “911 / Mr. Lonely” alongside Tyler, the Creator. Lacy also showcased his songwriting skills, contributing to the works of Solange Knowles, Chloe x Halle, and Kendrick Lamar, with whom he co-wrote the song “Pride”.
In 2019, Lacy’s debut studio album, Apollo XXI, received critical acclaim, earning him a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
The same year, he featured on the single “Sunflower” by Vampire Weekend. Further, he teamed up with Calvin Harris (under the moniker Love Regenerator) for the song “Live Without Your Love,” which charted in the United Kingdom.
Lacy’s second studio album, Gemini Rights (2022), soared within the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart. The album’s success was bolstered by the viral popularity of its single “Bad Habit” on TikTok, where it became the soundtrack for over 400,000 videos on the platform. “Bad Habit” achieved the impressive milestone of reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
As a result, Lacy received two Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Additionally, the album earned recognition as the Best Progressive R&B Album. Time magazine acknowledged his impact on the music scene, naming him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
Born on May 23, 1998, in Compton, California, Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya is the son of an African-American mother and Filipino father. He was raised by his mother, as his father was mostly absent from his life, only visiting on special occasions.
Tragically, Lacy’s father passed away when he was 10 years old. He attended Narbonne High School before transferring to a private school. Lacy has reflected on his sheltered upbringing, as his mother sought to protect him and his sisters from the challenging environment in Compton at that time.
