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From MJ to Bey to JT, there’s a long history of standout members in pop groups breaking away in hopes of solo superstardom. But last fall, L.A. R&B group the Internet decided against those unspoken rules. They announced that every member would release a solo project before they recorded the fourth Internet album, following their bold third album Ego Death. “Once we all drop our solo projects, I know we’ll all feel free to do whatever is best for the band, for the Internet album,” Syd told the FADER last October. “So there’s no more, ‘Ugh, I really wanna do this in a song and this [album] is my only chance to do that.”
What makes this approach even more curious is that since their 2011 founding by Odd Future members Syd (then Syd tha Kid) and Matt Martians, the Internet has experienced a number of membership fluctuations. Between that FADER interview and an early 2017 tour announcement, keyboardist Jameel Bruner quietly left the Internet (much like Tay Walker, who played keyboards from 2011 to 2013). Syd, Martians, Steve Lacy, Christopher Smith, and Patrick Paige II remain in the group, and already they’re making good on their solo promises. Martian’s The Drum Chord Theory arrived this January, followed the next month by Syd’s wave-making debut Fin and Steve Lacy’s Demo, which the guitarist dubbed a “song series” (not an LP/EP).
When the Internet played NYC’s Webster Hall back in February, Syd, Martians, and Lacy spent a good chunk of the show hyping up the forthcoming solo projects from Smith and Paige. The lack of ego among them that night was impressive—everything was about what’s right for the team. This is in sharp contrast to Odd Future’s group dynamic, which has led to on-stage squabbling about Tyler, the Creator’s leadership. In light of the Internet’s unique approach to solo stardom in service of group greatness, here’s a brief guide to each member’s work within and without the “family,” as Syd calls it on “All About Me.”
Syd
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(Photo by Frédéric Ragot/Redferns)
Duties: Vocals, Production
Role: The Cornerstone
Recent SoloRelease:Fin, February 2017, via Columbia
Fin shows that Syd isn’t just an intoxicating singer, a voice for same-sex romance on record, or even the Internet’s beating heart—she has the potential to pull double duty on the pop songwriting front too, à la The-Dream. If given the right push by radio, Fin standouts like “Body” and “Know” could crack the Top 40, with Syd playing the role of ’90s-R&B throwback possessing a strong pulse on what’s next. But for all her star quality (and major label status), Syd doesn’t embody a typical lead singer archetype. Throughout the Webster Hall show, she was a beacon of positivity, encouraging the audience to sing along to her bandmates’ solo songs.
Solo Standout Moment:
Group Standout Moment:
Matt Martians
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(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Duties: Vocals, Production, Keyboard
Role: Mr. Miyagi
Recent Solo Release:The Drum Chord Theory, January 2017, via Three Quarter
Matt Martians’ older brother worked as OutKast’s A&R, and it’s clear he has applied that knowledge to the Internet. He seems keenly aware of what needs to happen for the band to continue evolving beyond an Odd Future affiliate.“I knew [2015’s Ego Death] was a make or break album,” he told Pharrell of the Grammy nominated album he executive-produced alongside Syd and Lacy. “We needed for the folks in the hood when they first hear this to be like, oooh.” His recent solo debut LP, The Drum Chord Theory, also provides that oooh moment, recalling his early days as the resident new-age funk wizard of Odd Future andproduction duo theJet Age of Tomorrow. Clad in his signature Lacoste hats and white sunglasses, Martians presents more maturity and confidence in Drum Chord Theory’s psychedelic sounds than even his recent Internet work.
Solo Standout Moment:
Group Standout Moment:
Steve Lacy
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(Photo by Frédéric Ragot/Redferns)
Duties: Vocals, Production, Guitar
Role: The Future
Recent Solo Release:Steve Lacy’s Demo, February 2017, via Three Quarter
Not many people can say the first album they helped executive-produce was nominated for a Grammy; even fewer can say this occurred before they graduated high school. At just 18, Steve Lacy can boast as much. His recent Steve Lacy’s Demo is a testament to his status within a generation that believes determination and a charged iPhone can get you anywhere and everywhere. Though Lacy’s initial collection of songs is only 13 minutes long, he makes the most of this time by asserting his flair for Motown melodies and pop chords that paint a picture of teenage heartbreak.
Solo Standout Moment:
Group Standout Moment:
Patrick Paige II
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(Photo by Jim Bennett/FilmMagic)
Duties: Rapping, Bass, Production
Role: The Secret Weapon
Upcoming Solo Release: TBA
Every group has a secret weapon, and for the Internet, it’s Patrick Page II’s ability to rhyme with the conviction, confidence, and lyricism of rap legends. With just one instrumental EP from last year under his belt, Paige has previewed his talents as a bassist and producer along the same lines as his band’s soul-funk roots. But the full extent of his MC skills are just starting to come into focus, as they did at the Webster Hall show when he took the spotlight for a currently unreleased song about his sister. A small glimmer of his solo potential, and a nod to the Internet’s hip-hop side.
Solo Standout Moment:Group Standout Moment (he co-produced and co-wrote):
Christopher Smith
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(Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Coachella)
Duties: Drums, Production
Role: The Quiet One
Upcoming Solo Release: TBA
As the most mysterious member of the Internet, Smith has been quiet about potential solo projects (and pretty much everything else). But what is apparent is his ability to introduce a distinctly new energy to old songs in concert. With his promised solo set, there’s an obvious opportunity for Smith to emerge from behind his sunglasses and drumkit—a role that doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch after you’ve seen him chop it up amiably with fans following the Webster Hall show.
Solo Standout Moment:
Group Standout Moment: