Underscores: From Minecraft parodies to avant-pop stardom with album 'U'
By
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Bowen Fernie
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
A profile of the artist underscores (April Harper Grey), tracing her journey from making Minecraft parody songs as a teenager to becoming a groundbreaking producer and songwriter touring with 100 gecs. The article explores her creative process, her former life as a K-pop vlogger, and the making of her standout 2026 album, U—set against the backdrop of a nearly abandoned mall in Queens.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledI never thought I'd be here. I was just a kid making silly songs in my bedroom, and now I'm touring with 100 gecs. It's surreal.
The mall is like this weird liminal space. It feels fitting for where I'm at creatively—between worlds, between genres, between who I was and who I'm becoming.
K-pop vlogging taught me how to edit, how to tell a story, how to build a community. I don't think I'd be the artist I am without that chapter.
U is about embracing the mess. The unfinished parts of yourself. The underscores of your life that don't get highlighted but are still essential.
I want my music to feel like a safe place for people who feel like they don't fit anywhere else. That's always been the goal.
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