Interview Time: Sway
Sway What made you want to be a part of hip-hop?
It was defiantly the hood element. I’ve always liked all different kinds of music, from Wu-Tang to UK Pop, Hip-Hop always seemed more authentic to me.
What artists inspired you to rap?
Kriss Kross, I liked their style the way they just spoke about whatever they wanted to. They were just some kids that excited me. I felt like if these guys could have an album and a video out when I was rapping, then I thought I could have my own as well. I had my jeans backwards until my mom started telling me off.
How was the experience of touring with Dizzee Rascal?
It was excellent. A lot of haters though and people in the industry that look down on you and think they’re too stoosh to talk to you. Touring with him was a good experience. It helped me because I had someone to be compared to. I’m not typical UK hip-hop or grime. Putting me next to him elevated the contrast.
Tell us what your single ‘Flo Fashion’ means?
Say for example a girl or a guy buys something like a new pair of trainers and their friend goes and buys the same thing they’re basically copying what you’ve got and following your fashion. Trying to get the hottest clothes or the freshest kicks, trying to live a certain lifestyle. I’d dropped out of University to concentrate on this music thing, I wrote the lyrics when I was watching all the credit card commercials, thinking about all the people who would be taken in by interest rates and what not.
What can we expect to hear from your album?
Different sounds, not really something I’m feeling, I think it’s been over hyped but we’ll wait and see what people’s response is. My sound is innovative. No one has made anything like it, I chat what I feel and I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’m not scared to rap about anything. I have a rhyme about domestic violence, where I rap like an abusive husband who beats his wife. I rap about being in car crashes.
Name your top 5 favourite songs of all time?
(In no particular order)
1. Madness – ‘Baggy Trousers’ it’s wacky, funny and I used to play it over and over.
2. Michael Jackson – ‘Speed Demon’
3. George Michael – ‘Like Jesus to a child’ it touches you if you
listen to it in the dark it will haunt you, a powerful tune.
4. Tupac ‘dear mama’
5. Dj quick – ‘Change the game’, totally different to all the other hip-hop songs that were out.
What advice would you give to someone trying to make it?
Believe in yourself, don’t compare yourself to anyone else tell yourself your the best at what u do. Determination kept me going and try not listen to people with bad advice and when doors get shut in your face just kick them down.
What is love?
I think love is a 4 letter word that no one knows the meaning of but you know when u feel it.