Swae Lee
Biography
Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, known professionally as Swae Lee, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born on June 7, 1993, in Inglewood, California. He was raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, where he and his brother, Slim Jxmmi, faced challenges, including a period of homelessness after high school. His early life in a tough neighborhood and his passion for music from a young age shaped his drive to succeed.
Rae Sremmurd and Rise to Fame
Swae Lee and his brother Slim Jxmmi began their musical journey in high school, forming the group "Dem Outta St8 Boyz". In 2013, the duo signed with Mike WiLL Made-It's record label, EarDrummers Entertainment, under the new name Rae Sremmurd, which is "Ear Drummers" spelled backward. They gained widespread recognition in 2014 with their hit single "No Flex Zone". Their debut album, "SremmLife" (2015), was a commercial success, featuring popular tracks like "No Type" and "Throw Sum Mo". The group's success continued with their second album, "SremmLife 2" (2016), which included the viral hit "Black Beatles". This song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, largely thanks to its use in the "Mannequin Challenge" social media trend.
Solo Career and Notable Collaborations
While still a part of Rae Sremmurd, Swae Lee began to establish himself as a solo artist. He was featured on French Montana's 2017 hit "Unforgettable," which became a global success and his first top ten hit as a solo artist. In 2018, he released his debut solo album, "Swaecation," as part of Rae Sremmurd's triple album "SR3MM". One of his most significant solo achievements came with the Post Malone collaboration, "Sunflower," for the "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" soundtrack in 2018. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and received two Grammy nominations. He has also collaborated with a wide range of prominent artists, including Travis Scott on "Sicko Mode," Ellie Goulding and Diplo on "Close to Me," and Madonna on "Crave".
Musical Style and Songwriting
Swae Lee is known for his unique musical style that blends hip-hop, R&B, and pop. He is particularly recognized for his melodic vocals and catchy hooks, which has led to him being described as "the songbird of our generation". He considers himself more of a singer than a rapper. Beyond his own music, Swae Lee is a talented songwriter, having co-written Beyoncé's single "Formation," which earned him a Grammy Award nomination.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Swae Lee has received numerous accolades. His work has earned him multiple Grammy nominations, including for "Sunflower" and "Sicko Mode". He has also been nominated for Billboard Music Awards and BET Awards. The single "Unforgettable" received diamond certification from the RIAA, and "Sunflower" became the first song in RIAA history to receive double diamond (20x platinum) certification.