Sumney has performed as an opening act for James Blake, Solange Knowles, and Sufjan Stevens.

[1] Born in California, Sumney was raised by pastor parents, and moved with his family back to Ghana at the age of 10.

[2] He described his childhood as "Americanized" by this age and had difficulty adjusting to the culture of Ghana, especially the rural nature of his new environment.

[6] In 2014, Sumney broke into the Los Angeles music scene and caught the eye of many record labels.

[7] Sumney's 2014 debut project, Mid-City Island, is a five-song EP that was self-recorded onto a four-track recorder given to him by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio.

The self-released EP was described by Pitchfork as "primarily composed of first-takes and improvisation; the music is stirring but purposefully incomplete".

[10] He has performed at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and alongside artists such as Dirty Projectors, Junip, St. Vincent, and Local Natives.

[20] In December 2020, Sumney's single "Me in 20 Years" was featured in a special episode of the HBO drama Euphoria.

[22] On December 8, 2021, Sumney released a full-length concert film, Blackalachia, recorded over two days in the Blue Ridge Mountains.