‘I used to do acid on a Wednesday. I don’t have time for that now’: alt-pop star Steve Lacy on his struggle to follow huge hit Bad Habit
Steve Lacy has achieved extraordinary commercial success as an alt-pop artist whilst remaining nearly anonymous—his 2022 hit 'Bad Habit' was one of that year's biggest songs, and his album Gemini Rights accumulated 2.8 billion Spotify streams. Despite mainstream breakthrough, the 28-year-old maintains a fundamentally ordinary existence as a self-described homebody, avoiding celebrity culture and public visibility despite his musical prominence.
Lacy's career has involved continual creative evolution since receiving Grammy recognition at 17 as part of The Internet band, followed by producing Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer-winning track 'Pride' on an iPhone at 18—that phone now resides in the Smithsonian. Rather than remaining insulated by early praise and the 'genius' label, critical setbacks (including a low review of his debut solo album) prompted him to abandon solitary work for collaboration with other musicians, ultimately culminating in his new album released after a four-year gap.
- Alt-pop star Steve Lacy achieved massive 2022 success with 'Bad Habit' and subsequent Gemini Rights album whilst remaining largely unknown by face
- Career trajectory included Grammy nomination at 17, producing Kendrick Lamar's acclaimed track on iPhone at 18, and receiving public criticism that pushed him toward collaboration
- Returned with new album 'Oh Yeah?' after four-year absence, shaped by trauma and heartbreak