Steve Lacy and a Philosophical Treatise on the Rise of the Millennial
Subverting the Millennial stereotype
Millennials
The pejorative use of the word ‘Millennials’ is something that pervades media and social discourse. The associated characteristics are laziness, a sense of entitlement, and a general sense of (unfounded) existential angst.
Urban Dictionary: “Someone who just wants to die but copes with it by posting bad memes”, “Sorry for being such a millennial but no house no money just avocado”.¹
What we see in Millennials, though, are beings infused with a sense of global community. The fertile substrate for emotional regurgitations that is social media, has probably contributed to their civically-oriented outlook - and this is at odds with the capitalist sense of individualism that inspired their parents’ and grandparents’ generations.
In terms of work ethic, Millennials are seen by their curmudgeonly forefathers as having a general aversion to self-flagellation; and that’s ok. Not sticking to a 9-5er, and doing what you like, should really be seen as a logical undertaking, but is somehow seen as a luxury of a generation spoiled rotten.
Generation Y vs Generation Z
The differences between Gen Y (people born 1981-1991) and Gen Z (born 1991-2001) can be traced primarily to technology. Gen Y grew up witnessing a tech boom with personal computers and rise in social media, whereas Gen Z grew up using phones and tablets, while fully immersed in social media. Y’s were also raised in a financial boom, and Z’s in a bust, which also means Z’s are generally averse to debt and are more frugal than their older counterparts.²
Steve Lacy
Lacy is a Gen Z, Grammy-nominated, musician - inspired by playing Guitar Hero, he began making beats on his iPhone, and used an iRig (plug-in piece for his guitar) to create his first songs. His stripped-back process of creating slick beats and recording crisp vocals on his phone is what he likes to call “the bare maximum”. He has now collaborated with, and produced for, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Ronson, Vampire Weekend, and Tyler the Creator.
Lacy’s talent resonates with us on an artistic level, but his aura is what really intrigues. His TEDxTeen talk³ is an at-times nervous and rambling, but also beautiful, articulation of his creative process.
There is no false bravado (that could be easily invoked from his Compton roots), and no confection surrounding the description of his Grammy-nominated method. He is completely comfortable with sharing his battle with stage-fright, and seems completely comfortable with his who, why, when, and how.
His latest album, Gemini Rights, is a break-up album dedicated to his ex-boyfriend. It explores the poles of his emotions, from bitterness (“Looking for a bitch, ‘cause I’m over boys”), to acceptance “I don’t want to hate, instead I'm gonna love you like it was new”. His secondary Instagram account is a melange of various outfits, appositely called ‘fitvomit’, whose bio reads, “fitting out, not in”.
In short, a perfect example of the Gen Z vintage of Millennial, speaking his truth, skipping the pretense, and just doing what he does.
¹ Urban Dictionary, accessed 3rd of July, 2022
² 10 Ways to Understand the Difference Between Gen-Y and Gen-Z, Phillip Kane, accessed 3rd of July, 2022
³ The Bare Maximum | Steve Lacy | TEDxTeen, accessed 3rd of July, 2022