SwifStyle certainly stands out as one of the most prolific rappers of this generation whose poetic rap style never fails to catch attention. The compelling rhythms truly give a glimpse of his depth of realism, spirituality, love, and awareness in the most convincing manner. His music taste is very different from the others as he puts in his every emotion and experience to build up a strong musical creation that flows boundlessly. Having started to write songs from a very tender age the artist, masters the art of crafting poetry writing and puts it with beats to conjure up a smooth melodic melody.
The latest songs by SwifStyle ‘The Renaissance Movement, Phase 1’ not only speaks about the artist personal experiences but lets the audience sit back and enjoy his flawless and captivating rap performance. The artist has a style that is impossible to ignore as he raps in sync with the engaging melodic beats to speak on what surrounds him. Listen to his creative work on both Spotify and Soundcloud.
- What importance does emotional fervent hold in shaping your creativity?
It holds a lot. When I speak, I want to display as much emotion and passion as I can. I think that’s what real, good artists do. This is a craft, especially in hip hop, where you can affect and change lives. So I always want to give it my all and give the best of me.
- What attracts more acknowledgments to an artist, a live performance or a digital exposure?
I think it depends on the artist most of the time. Some just enjoy being in a nice closed environment locked in a studio, with just nothing but their thoughts and putting it to words and speaking it to a beat. I’m more so on that side of things. I love it when it’s just me and a mic. And just building from scratch – from the ground up.
And some enjoy the energy of a live crowd and just feed off of it. They love that thrill of just controlling a crowd and have them hanging on to their every word. Tech N9ne and Busta Rhymes might be some of the best I’ve seen at this. You are guaranteed a great live show when you see them.
- What made you pen down your thoughts and personal experiences in your creative work?
I’m such an eccentric type of person. I’ve never been into doing everything that every one of my peers was into. I’ve never been a clubber. I don’t smoke or drink. I’ve always just been this keep to myself type of person, so I found other options as my recreational entertainment. And so, I would just pick up and pen, get some paper and write what I was thinking at the moment. Or write from a spectator type of perspective. Just what I saw going on around me, local or the world.
- What inspired you to take up music as a full-time career option?
Man, any artist who truly loves and has a passion for music will tell you, it’s addictive. I’ve tried to leave it alone from being frustrated about certain things that come with it. But, it still calls me. I’m one of those who really don’t care about the money because I just love to make music that much.
I don’t think you will hear the majority of these rappers nowadays say that. Because you can hear it in their music. There is no passion for trying to be different or creative. They all sound the exact damn same. So that tells me, you are either just selling yourself out. Or just throwing whatever is the “thing” to do at the moment, cause it’s a quick cash grab.
- What intrigues you to keep creating new sounds and introduce new elements in your music?
It’s important to always challenge yourself. You never want to stay safe with music. Because true fans of the art will pick up on that. And I’m someone who listens to almost all types of music. I listen to neo-soul, funk, some alternative, pop, jazz, and reggae. It’s just endless what I listen to. As I said, I just truly love it!
That’s why I love artists like OutKast, Prince, Pharrell, Raphael Saadiq, who are so adaptable. You can put them in any genre and they can switch to that style. I want to be one of those types. Where any artist from any style of music wants to connect and I can come in a knock it out with no problem.
- Where do you see yourself as a newcomer in the extravagant hip-hop landscape?
Kind of like how I said I was with my peers growing up, eccentric. Everybody right now, mostly at least, is doing the same thing. The same subject matter, same flow pattern, same type of beat. So I just want to rap about pretty much everything that centers around our everyday life. From pain to joy. To love and anger. And then I want to open your third eye. Pay attention to how most of the establishments and elites move. Know that even some of the ones you might look up to and put on this pedestal might be some of the most deceitful people walking.
I want to just be an amalgam of so many of the elements that make and create good music. Time to get back to being creative and teaching our kids and our people something rather than just trying to make a track to be the latest social media dance craze.
- What is your take on the kind of music the audience prefers to listen is it genre-specific or fusion genres?
I don’t wanna just outright judge the audience as a whole but, just by the things I’ve seen… It seems genre-specific. It seems like most don’t pay attention to lyrics. They just want to hear the beat and a simple hook to create a dance to it.
- Has music as a profession in any way contributed to shaping up your personality?
My personality has always been what it has, I believe. I’m a really laid back reserve person. I’m also a Gemini, so my personality can switch. I have moments where I want to be around people and enjoy the company. Then the next, I just don’t want to be bothered by anyone and just want to be left alone. I think more so it’s been the opposite. My personality has helped with shaping the music.
- Do you credit any of your recent work inspiration to a contemporary artist?
My inspiration comes from quite a few artists. Some that I took inspiration from are Michael Jackson, Prince, OutKast, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Rakim, and Nas. All the way to Sade, Frankie Beverly (Maze), Maxwell, D’Angelo, and Anita Baker. These are some, who I listen to on a daily basis.
- Are music videos more effective in showcasing the creativity of an artist?
I think they can be. Sometimes you can have a song that is so powerful, that it needs visuals to really give you the full scope of things. And it can be a beautiful thing when the execution is done right. Like, I know he’s not a name folks want to hear right now – but when R. Kelly did the “Trapped in the Closet” chapters. It was one of the most creative things done by an artist. Then when the videos came out… They were pure genius! He had folks waiting, anticipating for each time the next video game.
And nobody has done it the way Michael Jackson has. He is another one that is eccentric with his way of thinking and seeing things. I give Kendrick Lamar the nod too with how he comes with some of his visuals.
So yeah, I think they can be really effective if done in the right way to play off the music.
- What importance does a good production household in representing the talent of a budding talent?
The production part is just as important as the lyrics. They are joined as one in my book. I know for me personally, I know when I’ve come across a good beat for me. The beat will speak to me personally. It will speak to me and tell me what the song should be exactly about. It is the foundation of the building.
- How attached are you to your roots while formulating any new song?
Very attached. Like earlier when I stated that it’s good to try new things as an artist and not play it safe by doing the same old same… well, you need to also know not to lose touch with you and what made you as an artist. You don’t wanna go so far out and lose where you are and have no way of coming back. So you have to find that balance.
