Steve Lacy has solidified himself as a star. Although he gained widespread recognition with the 2022 hit “Bad Habit,” he’s been delivering quality music since his debut single in 2015. Currently, Lacy is preparing for the release of his third studio album, and in an interview with Fantastic Man, he opened up about his creative process. He revealed how many songs he’s worked on and hinted at potential collaborators. Among those, one name stands out: Kendrick Lamar.
Lacy expressed his fascination with artists who possess a unique style, ones who challenge him to explore new aspects of his own music. “I’m drawn to what’s unconventional,” he shared, explaining how certain artists inspire him to reach out. He specifically mentioned Lamar as someone he’s eager to collaborate with. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a Kendrick verse,” Lacy teased. While a Lacy-Lamar collaboration might seem unexpected, they’ve worked together before. Lacy contributed guitar to Lamar’s track “PRIDE.” from his 2017 album DAMN.
In addition to that, Lacy was also invited to perform at Lamar’s “Pop Out” show on Juneteenth, where he danced alongside other celebrities during the song “Not Like Us.” Despite their history, Lacy admitted he felt somewhat out of place at the event. “I don’t feel tough,” he confessed, reflecting on his experience at the rehearsal. “I was like, ‘How am I here?’ But I was so honored.”
Lacy has always been selective with collaborations, featuring only two artists on his first two albums, neither of whom were rappers. While he’s open to working with people like J. Cole or Tyler, The Creator, any guest appearance on his new album would need to align with his grand vision. Lacy also revealed that he’s already created 300 song “sketches” for the project. Fans are certainly hoping one of them includes Kendrick Lamar.
