Pretty Lights Wikipedia chronicles the remarkable evolution of an electronic music powerhouse. Pretty Lights, the stage name of Derek Vincent Smith, has captivated audiences since the mid-2000s with his unique blend of glitchy hip-hop beats, buzzing synth lines, and vintage funk and soul samples.
Born on November 25, 1981, this American electronic music producer from Colorado pioneered a genre often dubbed “Electro Hip-Hop Soul.”
His debut album, Taking Up Your Precious Time, marked the beginning of a prolific career, featuring collaborations like those with Michal Menert.
By 2025, Pretty Lights has made a triumphant comeback after a nearly five-year hiatus, launching tours such as the “Soundship Spacesystem” and “Check Your Vector,” plus inaugurating the Yahn Dawn festival in Buena Vista, Colorado.
With free music downloads via his record label, Pretty Lights Music, Smith continues to influence EDM, performing at iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and festivals worldwide.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia also highlights his innovative production techniques, from Ableton-driven live sets to orchestral collaborations. In 2025, personal milestones like announcing an expected son have shaped a slower touring pace, yet his legacy endures through releases like the 2023 EP Dual Fusion Unity.
Pretty Lights Bio/Wiki
| Pretty Lights Wikipedia Bio/Wiki | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derek Vincent Smith |
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1981 |
| Birthplace | Fort Collins, Colorado, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Electronic Music Producer, DJ, Label Owner |
| Family | Married (wife’s name not publicly detailed); Announced expecting a son in 2025; Early influences from family and friends in skater culture |
| Career Highlights | Formed Pretty Lights with Michal Menert in 2004; Released debut album Taking Up Your Precious Time (2006); Founded Pretty Lights Music label in 2011 for free downloads; Grammy nomination for A Color Map of the Sun (2013); Hiatus from 2018-2023; Comeback with “Soundship Spacesystem Tour” (2023); “Check Your Vector Tour” (2024); Inaugural Yahn Dawn festival (2025); Collaborations with artists like Talib Kweli, LeAnn Rimes, and Ralph Stanley; Performed at major festivals including Bonnaroo, Coachella, Electric Forest, and Red Rocks; Pioneered sample-free production in 2013 album; Reunited with Menert for live band in 2023 |
Pretty Lights Wikipedia delves into the early life of Derek Vincent Smith, painting a picture of a youth steeped in creativity and rebellion.
Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Smith started skateboarding in the 8th grade, forging a bond with future collaborator Michal Menert.
This friendship blossomed amid skater culture, where music became an outlet.
Smith and Menert‘s initial forays involved hip-hop and punk rock influences from acts like Tha Alkaholiks, A Tribe Called Quest, and Wu-Tang Clan.
They formed a band called “The Freeze” with a drummer Menert knew, later replaced by Paul Basic.
Smith played bass, Menert handled guitar and keyboard, blending funk and old-school hip-hop.
The group placed second in a local battle of bands during their sophomore year at Rocky Mountain High School.
After high school, Smith briefly attended the University of Colorado at Boulder but dropped out freshman year to pursue music full-time.
This decision marked the pivot from casual jams to professional aspirations.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia notes how these roots in Colorado shaped his eclectic genre.
How Did Pretty Lights Begin Making Music?
Pretty Lights Wikipedia explains the origins of the project in summer 2004.
Derek Vincent Smith and Michal Menert began making music after Smith brought a bass guitar to a skating session.
Initially experimental, their sound evolved into electronic collages.
The duo adopted the name Pretty Lights, inspired by vibrant visuals and sounds.
Smith and Michal Menert drew from electro and hip-hop, using samples to craft immersive tracks.
This partnership laid the foundation for their first album.
Pretty Lights emerged as a response to the burgeoning EDM scene.
By 2006, they released Taking Up Your Precious Time, a studio album defining their style.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia highlights this as a turning point, blending live instrumentation with digital production.
Collaboration Between Smith and Michal Menert
Pretty Lights Wikipedia emphasizes the pivotal role of Smith and Michal Menert.
Their synergy produced the debut album, rich with layered beats and samples.
Michal Menert contributed guitar riffs and production flair.
However, Menert‘s departure from the project followed the release, pursuing solo endeavors.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia notes Menert‘s return in 2023 for the live band.
This reunion thrilled fans, reviving early chemistry.
Derek Vincent Smith and Michal Menert‘s bond stems from shared Colorado roots.
In interviews, like one with Reverb, Smith credits Menert for shaping the project’s soulful edge.
Menert‘s solo work on Pretty Lights Music keeps the connection alive.
The First Album and Early Releases
Pretty Lights Wikipedia details the first album, Taking Up Your Precious Time (2006).
This studio effort featured 16 tracks, showcasing glitchy electro vibes.
Track listing includes gems like “Finally Moving” and “Double Rainbow.”
Released independently, it gained traction through free downloads.
In 2007 and 2008, Pretty Lights played support slots for bands like STS9.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia marks this as the ascent into festival circuits.
Follow-ups like Filling Up The City Skies (2008) expanded the discography.
These albums solidified Smith as a innovative producer.
Evolution in the 2000s Festival Scene
Pretty Lights Wikipedia covers the explosion in the late 2000s.
Smith performed at music festivals like Bonnaroo and Wakarusa in 2009.
His live sets, using Ableton, mesmerized crowds with visual spectacles.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia recounts appearances at Electric Daisy Carnival and Camp Bisco.
By 2010, he hit Coachella and Ultra Music Festival.
These gigs boosted his profile in EDM.
Smith toured extensively, from Denver to San Francisco.
This era saw releases like three EPs in 2010: Making Up a Changing Mind, Spilling Over Every Side, and Glowing in the Darkest Night.
Founding Pretty Lights Music Label
Pretty Lights Wikipedia highlights the launch of Pretty Lights Music in 2011.
This record label offered free downloads, democratizing access.
It featured artists like Michal Menert, Break Science, and Paul Basic.
Smith released two full-length albums via the label on January 25, 2011.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia praises this model for fostering community.
The label expanded Smith‘s influence beyond solo work.
Artists like Gramatik and Eliot Lipp thrived under it.
By 2025, it remains a hub for electronic innovation.
Grammy-Nominated Album: A Color Map of the Sun
Pretty Lights Wikipedia spotlights A Color Map of the Sun (2013).
This studio album broke from samples, using original recordings.
Smith collaborated in studios across Brooklyn, New Orleans, and Denver.
Pressed to vinyl, it mixed modular synths with live sessions.
Released on July 2, it earned a Grammy nod for Best Dance/Electronica Album.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia includes the track listing:
- “Color of My Soul”
- “Press Pause”
- “Let’s Get Busy”
- And more, totaling 13 tracks.
A remix version followed in December 2013.
This album marked a mature phase in his discography.
Hiatus and Personal Reflections
Pretty Lights Wikipedia documents the hiatus starting post-2018 Red Rocks shows.
After a decade at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Smith focused on well-being.
In a Reverb interview, he discussed burnout and creative recharge.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia notes sporadic releases like “Rainbows & Waterfalls” (2017).
The break lasted nearly five years, building anticipation.
Fans speculated on his return amid EDM‘s evolution.
This period allowed Smith to refine his vision.
The Epic Comeback in 2023
Pretty Lights Wikipedia celebrates the comeback announced April 4, 2023.
The “Soundship Spacesystem Tour” spanned 27+ dates nationwide.
Smith reformed a full band including Borahm Lee, Chris Karns, Alvin Ford Jr., and Michal Menert.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia highlights reunions at venues like The Gorge.
This tour revived classics with fresh twists.
In 2024, the “Check Your Vector Tour” hit Hampton, Bethel, Red Rocks, Lake Tahoe, Las Vega, St. Augustine, Boston, and Minneapolis.
Festival spots included Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits.
What Makes Pretty Lights’ Live Shows Unique?
Pretty Lights Wikipedia describes live performances as sensory feasts.
Smith‘s setups feature LED cityscapes and symphony integrations.
At Red Rocks in 2014, he added a 28-piece orchestra.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia notes BassLights events (2012–2015), co-headlined with Bassnectar.
Supporting acts like Big Gigantic, Gramatik, and Michal Menert enhanced the vibe.
In 2023, the live band added dynamic energy.
Shows at Summer Camp Music Festival and Electric Forest showcase his prowess as a DJ and bandleader.
Visuals sync with beats, creating immersive experiences.
Discography Highlights and Track Listings
Pretty Lights Wikipedia provides a comprehensive discography.
Key albums include:
- Taking Up Your Precious Time (2006): Debut with Menert, featuring soulful electro.
- Filling Up The City Skies (2008): Double album exploring urban themes.
- A Color Map of the Sun (2013): Grammy-nominated, sample-free.
EPs like The Hidden Shades (2014) and Dual Fusion Unity (2023) add depth.
For A Color Map of the Sun, track listing:
- Color of My Soul
- Press Pause
- Let’s Get Busy
- Around the Block (feat. Talib Kweli)
- Yellow Bird
- Reel 6 Break 4
- One Day They’ll Know
- Always All Ways
- My Only Hope
- Reel 15 Break 5
- Go Down Sunshine
- The Day Is Gone
- Done Wrong
Singles like “I Know The Truth” (2011) and remixes of “Solar Sailer” stand out.
Released on October dates often, like EPs in 2010.
Influences from Sonic Bloom and Festivals
Pretty Lights Wikipedia ties his style to festivals like Sonic Bloom.
Early gigs at Sonic Bloom in Colorado honed his beat-driven sets.
Influences from STS9 and Widespread Panic shaped his approach.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia mentions Bloom as a recurring motif in visuals.
Festivals like Baca (perhaps misnoted, likely Buku) inspired pop-ups.
In 2025, appearances at Electric Forest included a sunrise set.
These events fuel his connection to the EDM community.
| Pretty Lights Wikipedia Physical Appearance | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm) |
| Weight | 220 lbs (100 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Measurements | Athletic build; Chest: 44 inches, Waist: 34 inches, Biceps: 16 inches |
Pretty Lights Wikipedia outlines band iterations.
Early: Smith with drummer Cory Eberhard (2007–2010).
Then Adam Deitch joined.
By 2011, solo DJ sets dominated.
2013 tour featured a full band: Deitch, Brian Coogan, Borahm Lee, Scott Flynn, Eric Bloom.
Pretty Lights Live formed in 2016 with Alvin Ford Jr., Coogan (later Brandon Butler), Lee, and Chris Karns.
2023 comeback reunited Menert, creating the band including these talents.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia notes Menert‘s guitar adding funk.
This evolution keeps shows fresh.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Performances
Pretty Lights Wikipedia reveres Red Rocks as a spiritual home.
From 2009, Smith performed annually for a decade.
August 10 and 11, 2018, marked the 10th year, pre-hiatus.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia details orchestral enhancements in 2014.
In 2024, “Check Your Vector” included multi-night stands.
Fans dub these “holy grails” of EDM.
The natural amphitheater amplifies his light shows.
Denver Post reviews praise the synergy.
2025 Updates and Yahn Dawn Festival
Pretty Lights Wikipedia updates with 2025 milestones.
Festival appearances at Electric Forest and others.
The inaugural Yahn Dawn, a multi-day camping event in Buena Vista, Colorado.
At Yahn Dawn, Smith announced expecting a son, signaling a slower pace.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia notes potential reduced tours into 2026.
Yet, new releases tease future albums.
This personal chapter adds humanity to his legacy.
Pretty Fantastics and Fan Community
Pretty Lights Wikipedia mentions Pretty Fantastics, a fan moniker for devoted followers.
These enthusiasts share vinyl collections and remixes.
Smith engages via free music and socials.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia highlights community events like pop-ups in New Orleans.
In Minneapolis and Denver, fan meetups thrive.
This bond sustains the project post-hiatus.
| Pretty Lights Wikipedia on Social Media | Details |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | Username: @PrettyLights; Followers: Approximately 150,000; Link: https://x.com/PrettyLights |
| Username: @prettylights; Followers: Approximately 300,000; Link: https://www.instagram.com/prettylights/ | |
| Username: PrettyLights; Followers: 772,833; Link: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyLights/ |
Fun Facts about Pretty Lights Wikipedia
Pretty Lights offers all music for free download, revolutionizing artist-fan dynamics.
Derek Vincent Smith dropped out of college to focus on music, a bold move paying off.
He composed an entire album without borrowed samples, recording originals across cities.
Smith collaborated with country icons LeAnn Rimes and Ralph Stanley for a genre-bending track.
His height of 6’9″ makes him a towering presence on stage.
Pretty Lights headlined Red Rocks for 10 consecutive years before the hiatus.
In 2025, he launched his own festival, Yahn Dawn, blending music and camping.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pretty Lights Wikipedia
Who is Pretty Lights?
Pretty Lights is the stage name of Derek Vincent Smith, an American electronic music producer known for electro hip-hop soul.
What is Pretty Lights’ debut album?
The debut album is Taking Up Your Precious Time, released in 2006 with Michal Menert.
When did Pretty Lights go on hiatus?
Smith entered a hiatus after 2018 Red Rocks shows, lasting nearly five years.
What is Pretty Lights Music?
It’s Smith‘s record label, offering free downloads from artists like Menert, Gramatik, and Paul Basic.
Has Pretty Lights won awards?
He received a Grammy nomination for A Color Map of the Sun in 2014.
Where is Pretty Lights from?
Smith hails from Fort Collins, Colorado, with strong ties to Denver.
What is the latest on Pretty Lights in 2025?
In 2025, he hosted Yahn Dawn festival and announced expecting a son, planning fewer shows.
Pretty Lights Wikipedia encapsulates the vibrant journey of Derek Vincent Smith, from Colorado skate parks to global stages.
His innovative albums, like the Grammy-nominated A Color Map of the Sun, and collaborations with Michal Menert have redefined EDM.
Post-hiatus comeback tours in 2023–2024 and 2025‘s Yahn Dawn festival affirm his enduring appeal. Through Pretty Lights Music and free releases, Smith fosters inclusivity.
As he balances family with artistry, his legacy of soulful beats and dazzling shows inspires generations.
