Francis and the Lights is an American pop project led by Francis Farewell Starlite. The term "and the Lights" refers both to the lights on a stage and pixels on a computer screen.Francis' music is in the pop / R&B category, characterized by a heavy use of electronically produced beats, melodies, and live vocals. During live performances, Francis' vocals are backed by his pre-produced tracks with the assistance of a DJ, while he uses a synthesizer at times. Francis released his debut studio album, Farewell, Starlite!, on September 24, 2016. 　　In 2007, Francis and the Lights self-released their debut EP, Striking. 　　Their second EP, A Modern Promise, came out in August 2008. 　　On November 3, 2008, Starlite incorporated Francis and the Lights, LLC, as a limited liability company, as an alternative to signing a record deal. This was followed by an investment of $100,000 from the Normative Music Company, giving Francis and the Lights, LLC a valuation of $1 million. Normative's president, Jake Lodwick, a fan of Francis and the Lights, said, "Francis Starlite is an uncompromising musician and a strong leader. I believe he will bring Francis and the Lights to international stardom. The spectacular live shows, beautiful recordings, and his relentless character back me up." In late 2009, Normative Music Company shut down. 　　On July 20, 2010, Francis and the Lights released their third EP, It'll Be Better, through Cantora Records. It was produced by Francis Farewell Starlite and Jake Schreier. 　　In 2010, they toured with Drake, MGMT, Ke$ha, La Roux, and Mark Ronson. 　　A fourth EP, Like a Dream, came out in 2013. 　　Drake quoted the 2010 Francis and the Lights song "Get in the Car" on the track "Madonna" from his 2015 mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late. The phrase "Big as Madonna" was later used on a shirt that was worn by Madonna during her infamous appearance in Drake's 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival headlining set. 　　In 2016, Francis and the Lights were featured on Chance the Rapper's "Summer Friends" from his third mixtape, Coloring Book. They served as the opening act on the North American tour dates of Chance the Rapper's Magnificent Coloring World Tour, which ran between September 2016 and October 2016. 　　On May 15, 2016, Starlite released a solo piano song entitled "Thank You", which was recorded on a phone in Justin Vernon's living room. 　　On July 7, 2016, Francis and the Lights released a music video for the new song "Friends" featuring Bon Iver and Kanye West. 　　On August 13, 2016, the band premiered their debut studio album Farewell, Starlite! during their performance at the Eaux Claires music festival. It was released on September 24, 2016 after a performance of the album at Chance the Rapper's Magnificent Coloring Day festival. 　　In 2016 Francis and the Lights performed a cover of Dear Theodosia as a duet with Chance the Rapper on The Hamilton Mixtape. 　　In May 2017, Pusha T signed Francis and the Lights to GOOD Music. 　　Their sophomore album, Just for Us, came out that same year. 　　Starlite worked with West on his 2018 albums ye and Kids See Ghosts. Starlite is credited as a writer on ye's I Thought About Killing You, and as a producer on I Thought About Killing You, All Mine, and Ghost Town. On Kids See Ghosts, Starlite is credited as a producer on Feel the Love.