Born in Tampa, Florida and raised in Wisconsin, the young Stecker moved frequently with her family, following her father Aaron and his NFL career. Her vocal talents developed quickly, as did her affinity for drums, guitar, and piano. The family eventually relocated to Irvine, California in order for Skylar to pursue her music career. After releasing an iTunes covers album in 2014 (including her takes on Sia, Disclosure, and Sara Bareilles, among others), she was signed by Cherrytree Records/Interscope and released a seven-song EP, Firecracker, which showcased her versatility with '90s R&B, electro beats, hip-hop bass, and carefree pop. Mirroring the sounds of Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Leona Lewis, Stecker released her debut LP, This Is Me, in September 2015, with production by RedOne, Rock Mafia, and the Stereotypes. Two years later, Stecker found success with "Only Want You" and "Blame," a pair of Tricky Stewart-produced singles that topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Despite this, she became an independent artist again and self-released her sophomore album, Redemption, in 2019.
Heading into the next decade, Stecker offered up a 2020 cover of 50 Cent's "In Da Club" followed by a holiday single, "This Christmas." Her third EP, Earth Signs, appeared in July 2021 after which she devoted herself to a string of singles including the dusky "Hate That for You," the 2022 Tone Stith collaboration "What's Good," and the slinky "Know It's Wrong." ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi