Prettifun Explained: What Most People Get Wrong About the Artist

Prettifun Explained: What Most People Get Wrong About the Artist

If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the underground rap scene or catching the tail end of a "rage" playlist, you’ve probably seen the name. Prettifun. It’s everywhere. People keep asking: where is Prettifun from? Is it a brand? Is it a boutique? Honestly, it’s a fair question because the name sounds like a mid-2000s accessories shop at the mall.

But Prettifun isn't a company. He's a person.

Mikey Taylor, known professionally as Prettifun, is the mastermind behind some of the most electric, neon-soaked production in the current hip-hop landscape. He's an American rapper, singer, and producer who has basically become the architect of a specific "wall of sound" that’s currently blowing up on TikTok and SoundCloud.

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The Charlotte Roots of Mikey Taylor

Where is Prettifun from, specifically? He’s a product of Charlotte, North Carolina.

A lot of people think he’s some kid from Los Angeles or New York because his sound feels so polished and "internet-coded." But the truth is much more grounded. Mikey was born on August 1, 2005, in Charlotte. He grew up in a household where music wasn't just a hobby—it was the family business. His mom was a singer. His dad and brother rapped.

He’s even mentioned in interviews that he’s related to members of Parliament-Funkadelic. That’s legendary DNA.

Despite the musical pedigree, his path wasn’t exactly paved with gold. For a long time, Prettifun was just another guy working at a Food Lion in Charlotte. He’d spend his days stocking bananas and cleaning up the produce aisle, only to go home and lose himself in Discord servers and DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). He was a theater kid in middle school, even doing shows like Shrek and Hamilton, which probably explains why his vocal delivery is so expressive and experimental.

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The 4ersona Collective and the Move to the Front

Prettifun didn't just appear out of thin air. He cut his teeth as a producer first.

Around 2021, he started getting deep into the online collective scene. He was part of 4ersona, a group that’s now defunct but served as a massive breeding ground for talent. We’re talking about a roster that included names like skaiwater, Rich Amiri, and che.

If you want to know where the "Prettifun sound" really started to dominate, look at the tracks "Miley Cyrus" and "Pizza Time" by che. Prettifun produced those. They were absolute maximalist chaos—distorted 808s, bright chiptune synths, and enough energy to power a small city.

But he wasn't content staying behind the boards. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his friend ezcodylee basically forced him to start rapping. He hasn't looked back since. His first major project, Hi-Fi, dropped in 2023, but it was 2024 that changed everything.

Breaking Down the Discography

  1. Hi-Fi (2023): The foundation. Very experimental, leaning into hyperpop.
  2. Pretti (2024): This is where the "fun" identity really took shape.
  3. FunHouse (2024): His most cohesive project at the time, establishing him as a dual threat.
  4. FunHouse Deluxe (2025): A massive 30-track odyssey released under Victor Victor Worldwide and Too Lost.

Why Everyone Is Confused About the Name

There's a lot of noise online. If you Google the name, you might find random Reddit threads talking about a brand called "Mertifun" or weird AliExpress listings for mermaid tails. Don't get them confused.

Prettifun is an artist. His aesthetic is intentionally colorful and "cute," which clashes with the aggressive nature of rage rap. He draws heavy inspiration from cartoons like Chowder and The Amazing World of Gumball. He likes the textures and the patterns. He’s said that "fun" doesn't always have to be positive; it’s about the engagement and the creativity.

He’s currently signed to Victor Victor Worldwide, the same label that handled Pop Smoke and works closely with Steven Victor. This is a big deal. It means he’s moved from the bedroom producer stage to the global stage. He even made his debut at the 2025 Summer Smash festival and opened for Ken Carson on the More Chaos tour.

The Sound: Rage Meets Chiptune

People often compare his delivery to Lil Uzi Vert or Playboi Carti, especially the higher-pitched "baby voice" style. It’s melodic, but it’s anchored by these bone-crushing 808s.

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It’s interesting because Charlotte isn't exactly a hub for this kind of music. It’s traditionally a southern rap stronghold. Prettifun is trying to change that. He’s mentioned wanting to start his own festival in Charlotte because the infrastructure for underground, experimental rap just isn't there yet.

He's basically the bridge between the SoundCloud era and whatever is coming next.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Artists

If you’re trying to follow Prettifun’s trajectory or apply his "grind" to your own life, here is what actually worked for him:

  • Master the technicals first. He spent years learning how to produce before he ever picked up a microphone. That control over his own beats is why his music sounds so unique.
  • Leverage online communities. Discord and Instagram Live weren't just distractions; they were where he met his collaborators in the 4ersona collective.
  • Don't quit the day job too early. He was still at Food Lion when his beats started taking off. Staying grounded kept him hungry.
  • Visuals matter. His album covers and overall aesthetic are as important as the audio. They tell a story that's "pretty" and "fun" but with an underground edge.

Prettifun is from Charlotte, but his sound is from the internet. He’s only 20 years old as of early 2026, and he’s already toured Europe, played major festivals, and secured a major label partnership. Keep an eye on him.

To stay updated on his latest releases, check out his official profiles on Spotify or SoundCloud under the name prettifun. You can also find his touring schedule through his label, Victor Victor Worldwide, as he continues to expand his presence in the global underground scene.