Other Than LaLaLa Fest Manila, Steve Lacy Met His Filipino Family and Hit Karaoke
Other than the explosive homecoming show, Lacy flexed too, seventeen P100 bills fanned against his forearm, about $28 all in
by JV Ordoñez
Published on Aug 23, 2026
Steve Lacy is coming off headlining the Manila leg of one of Asia's premier music festivals on August 22, in a homecoming show for the ages.
He had also just dropped his third studio album, Oh Yeah
which hosts hit after hit from "the feeling," "is it cool? (feat. SZA)," "doom," and the album's euphoric title track that also closes out Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
At the LalalaFest, which was organized by local showrunner Wilbros Live, Lacy opened up with his viral hit "Bad Habit," followed by the aforementioned "the feeling," as he rocked out and shredded on the axe with his tight band onstage. He also ended the show with the crowd favorite, "Oh yeah?" as the packed World Trade Center in Pasay belted along with him.
And among the melting pot of fans in the venue was his family from his Filipino father's side. Lacy was born to an African-American mother and a Filipino father, but he cited that he lost connection to his father's Filipino heritage early. His father died when he was ten years old.
While it would be surreal for Lacy to be singing about being a "big baby suckin' on big titties" in front of his aunts, uncles, and extended Filipino relatives, the singer revealed via social media posts that he got to briefly make up for lost time by being his goofy self and an overall menace in SM Mall of Asia with his family.
Steve Lacy via Instagram/Facebook: "met my ates and kuyas on my tatay’s side for the very first time and their kids too AND GET THIS i just so happened to perform in the philippines for the very first time at LaLaLa Fest MANILA on the 18th anniversary of our father’s death. HOW SPECIAL ?!
The singer laid out snapshots and a short video of the reunion, meeting a slew of cousins for the first time and clowning around in local photobooths, Kermit the Frog-adjacent hat included.
The photo that got the most attention was Lacy fanning out around 17 Filipino hundo bills, which round up to roughly $28, an ironic flex if there ever was one.
Lacy has stayed a prolific presence over the years, guesting on records by artists including Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, and Blood Orange, each feature carrying his signature velvety vocals and guitar work.
The Grammy-winning artist first broke through with "Dark Red," which he famously recorded and produced entirely on GarageBand on his iPhone, then later with viral hit "Bad Habit," off his award-winning LP Gemini Rights.
LaLaLa Fest also saw performances from global acts including Two Door Cinema Club, FLO, and Dermot Kennedy.
Steve Lacy on IG: ok ok that’s enough just wanted to share this beautiful moment with yall im so happy this happened
Steve Lacy on IG: look at my big brother rubio haha he a vibe
Steve Lacy on IG: i love the philippines
Esquire PH's resident music scribe, wristwatch disciple, and essayist fluent in niche internet subcultures and Philippine politics.
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