SWAE LEE

Born in Inglewood, California, as Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, the singer Swae Lee first came to the attention of the general public as the younger, melodic half of the Southern hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd. Swae’s versatile music and his undeniably and wholly personal artistic vision owe much to his childhood in Texas, where he first developed an interest in music at around the age of 11.

Outside school and family commitments, Swae experimented with production and recording software and learnt how to mix tracks. He has made a name for himself outside his work as part of the duo, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with, both within the world of hip-hop and beyond. Tracks such as French Montana’s diamond-certified ‘Unforgettable’ showcase his talents as a singer, whilst his impressive list of songwriting credits includes Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’. His melodic repertoire is not, however, limited to R&B and hip-hop: his vocals can also take the form of ballads and blend into more electronic soundscapes — a Gemini who is complex in many ways.

Swae’s impact on the music industry is also underlined by his records, notably the historic success of ‘Sunflower’, which became the first song to be certified double diamond by the RIAA. This iconic track, nominated for a Grammy Award, ranks among the biggest streaming hits in history. In addition to ‘Sunflower’, his contributions to hits such as Travis Scott’s ‘Sicko Mode’ have also achieved diamond certification, cementing his status as a major figure in contemporary music.

Above all, Swae insists that his music is designed to make people feel good, and he both embodies and champions a positive outlook on life. He wants his music to be universal and to reach a very wide audience — from doctors to lawyers, including children and “whatever your lifestyle”, as he puts it himself — whilst remaining entirely different from what is popular or being produced today.

Presented by: Live Nation (L-R-25-3202 / L-R-22-1699)