In short
Swae Lee’s debut solo album “Same Difference” and his journey from childhood hardship to major-label success, plus how he writes melodies, handles brotherhood/business with Slim Jimmy, and what “ADHD” means to him.
Guest backgrounds
Swae Lee is a rapper/singer and songwriter from LA/Englewood who grew up moving between states (including Mississippi and Texas). He and his brother Slim Jimmy formed a music partnership, slept in cars during tough times, and later connected through Mike Will Made-It’s circle (including cousins who made beats for major artists). He later signed with Interscope and worked with top industry figures.
Key claims
Locked-out childhood pushed him to chase success; he learned production via early Fruity Loops; he writes hooks/melodies with “internal rhythm”; he avoids oversharing personal issues online; success made access/doors open; he prefers truth and “real” living.
Notable examples
Meeting Dr. Dre and Gwen Stefani at Jimmy Iovine’s LA backyard; writing “No Flex Zone” after a tough early writing assignment; “Formation” songwriting credit; “Unforgettable” video shot in Uganda; “ADHD anthem” as reassurance for people who think differently.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOSwae Lee's Journey Begins
2:08 to 3:05
Swae Lee discusses his childhood and early musical influences.
“How has it been with your brother, the ups and downs of that?”
Hurdles in the Path
3:05 to 3:52
Swae Lee shares the challenges he faced in his early life.
Discovering Passion for Music
3:52 to 4:52
The moment Swae Lee discovered his passion for music through Fruity Loops.
“I had one brother, Slim Jimmy, my big brother.”
School Fame and Performance
4:52 to 6:22
Swae Lee talks about his popularity in high school and performing music.
“Fruity Loops 1 and 2, like the early versions.”
Writing Music and Emotional Connection
6:22 to 7:57
Swae Lee reflects on his growth as a writer and the emotional impact of his songs.
“Because it was me, my bro, and then my other homie.”
Dreams of Leaving the City
7:57 to 8:21
Swae Lee discusses his aspirations to get out of his hometown for better opportunities.
“And Tupelo Viving to it Telling me it was one of the ones And you would let people hear it You'd put everything out?”
Brotherly Bond and Ambition
9:56 to 14:00
Swae Lee shares his journey with his brother and their drive to pursue music.
“I'm trying to build something on myself.”
The Challenges of Single Motherhood
14:00 to 15:00
Discusses the complexities and challenges faced by single mothers.
“It seems so reckless what I'm doing, but it's like this shit, this shit is strategic.”
Gratitude for the Past
15:00 to 16:00
Swae Lee reflects on how past hardships shaped his success.
“She had that military background, so she wasn't playing with you.”
Family Ties: Swae Lee's Bond with His Mother
16:00 to 17:00
Explores Swae Lee's close relationship with his mother and her influence.
“My name, my real name, it mean leader of the people.”
Show all 29 chapters
The Dynamics of Brotherly Relationships
17:00 to 18:00
Swae Lee discusses his relationship with his brother and their journey together.
“Like, Ray Shremmer, that's a Jordan brand.”
Overcoming Adversity Together
18:00 to 19:00
Details the struggles faced by Swae Lee and his brother and their determination.
“I feel like you shared some stuff at one point and then you were like, you know, we're brothers, shit happens.”
The Evolution of Success
19:00 to 20:00
Swae Lee describes how success changed their lives and perspectives.
“We always just felt like we almost there.”
Moments of Realization
20:00 to 21:00
Reflects on pivotal moments that confirmed Swae Lee's success in the industry.
“Like, when you start getting success and you start getting some money, people start treating you a little different.”
Experiencing Fame and Recognition
21:00 to 22:00
Discusses the feeling of fame and the reactions of others due to his success.
“Sway Lee, man, we love y 'all music, man.”
Staying Grounded in Success
22:00 to 23:00
Swae Lee talks about maintaining work ethic despite fame.
“I'm just like, nigga, this shit is a simulation or something.”
The Art of Songwriting
23:00 to 24:00
Explores Swae Lee's approach to songwriting and writing for others.
“Because you're writing for other people.”
Lessons from the Studio
24:00 to 24:50
Shares insights from early experiences in the studio and industry expectations.
“and it's like when I first came in the game.”
The Impact of Writing for Others
26:50 to 28:00
Discusses Swae Lee's experience writing for other artists and its significance.
“I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same premium wireless for$15 a month plan that I've been enjoying.”
Swae Lee's Early Writing Journey
28:00 to 28:39
Swae Lee shares his early experiences and aspirations in songwriting.
“And then what was the first one, that song that you did for somebody else?”
The Formation Experience
28:40 to 30:12
Swae discusses his unexpected involvement in writing 'Formation' for Beyonce.
“Nah, because I didn't have to write for her.”
Unforgettable and Cultural Appreciation
30:13 to 31:49
Swae reflects on the impact of his song 'Unforgettable' and his experiences in Uganda.
“Did you ever think I should have kept that?”
Life Lessons from Different Cultures
31:50 to 32:46
Swae shares transformative experiences from traveling, including Cuba.
“that type of experience yeah for sure it opens your eyes make you appreciate where you at I went to Cuba one time when I was in my 20s I went to Cuba for the first time you Cuban?”
Career Reflections and Future Aspirations
32:47 to 34:25
Swae reflects on his career achievements and discusses his future ambitions.
“And it was crazy because we took a couple of those kids to America.”
ADHD Anthem and Mental Health
34:26 to 36:50
Discussion on the ADHD anthem and personal experiences related to mental health.
“I know we don't have that much more time, and I have a couple of little segments I want to do with you.”
Navigating Family Business Relationships
37:30 to 39:47
Swae answers a listener's question about managing family dynamics in business.
“Customers will pay$25 a month as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan.”
Managing Fame and Money
39:48 to 42:01
Swae discusses the effects of fame and financial success on his life.
“Like, money all of a sudden and fame all of a sudden.”
Swae Lee's Creative Superpower
42:02 to 42:46
Discover Swae Lee's unique approach to crafting melodies and his thoughts on creativity.
“And in real life, what do you think your superpower is?”
Finding Happiness and Optimism
43:23 to 44:19
Swae Lee discusses his happiness scale and the importance of a positive attitude.
“How happy are you from a scale of 1 to 10?”
Transcript
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2:00Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole? Visit wellsfargo.com slash autographjourney. Terms apply. How has it been with your brother, the ups and downs of that? When we come together, it's like the Backstreet Boys. 20 years, we're going to come together again, reunite it, you know what I'm saying, do a tour, boom, boom, new album. We just gonna keep linking back up
2:52years and now for the first time i can't believe it's the first time it's crazy technically he is stepping out on his own uh with his debut album same difference sway lee is on iRL today gang gang gang what's good what's good what's good what's happening chilling man glad to be here it's crazy that this is technically your debut album yeah it's crazy like you're a new artist out here yeah i really had a unique career no debut in diamond records all these diamond records not bad for real it's crazy did you plan it this way no no i definitely didn't did you plan it at all i imagined it and just imagine what you know success would be with music but i never expected to be like this for sure it wasn't set up for you no no i had to jump a lot of hurdles yeah i'm gonna i'm gonna talk to some people that maybe don't know your whole story um but the beginning was not it wasn't laid out yeah it wasn't pretty what was the childhood like maybe just paint the picture of that.
3:51I was born in LA. I had one brother, Slim Jimmy, my big brother. Was born in Englewood. We ended up moving around a lot in LA. I used to live in Pasadena at one point in time, sleeping on the floor. You know what I'm saying? My mom trying to figure it out. Long story short, my mom and my stepdad, we ended up moving to Mississippi, just growing up there. You know what I'm saying? In the country. Yeah, country as hell. I stayed in apartments. I stayed in all type of stuff. I remember I stayed in an apartment at 58, in these, it was an apartment complex called Evergreen Square. So I used to live there, boom, came up, started messing with music.
4:30When do you find the music? When does that happen? My mom got in the military, so we was moving around, and I ended up moving to Texas. So I moved to Killeen, Texas. How old? I think I might have been like eight or nine or something like that. And then my dad's, my stepdad's homie, his name was King James, and he ended up bringing this software. It's called Fruity Loops. So it's what you make the beats on. And this was like Fruity Loops 2. Fruity Loops 1 and 2, like the early versions. So I just started making beats and stuff. Started experimenting with it. Boom. Beats sound like shit. But just out the blue, like no introduction, no manual?
5:08No, like you just... Yeah, no manual. My beats was like... Like it didn't even make no sense. But then I just started learning it and it just got better and better. What made him get you that in the first place? I don't know. I don't know. Maybe because we was turned. We were just running around having a lot of energy. Yeah, was you like an artistic kid? I might have been. I'm just thinking I'm normal. I'm running around probably singing and just doing whatever. He was like, he just messed with that right there. Yeah, Kyo Sanis. Boom. And I ended up starting using it for real. And when did you know you were good?
5:47I always just thought it was cool music I was making But then probably like high school My whole school they voted me like most likely to get famous Oh so something was going on with you There was something that people were seeing I was rapping at lunch You know what I'm saying I was that kid like rapping at lunch Performing at the talent shows But are you confident? Are you like Yeah that's just what I think I'm supposed to be doing I'm doing that just like everyday like second nature Just Confident Music show Yeah, Walmart clothes on. I'm popping it. You know what I'm saying? Walmart clothes?
6:17Yeah. Thrift store clothes, whatever it was. I'm popping it. But what is that? So how do you get that? Where does that confidence come from? It's just having fun. You know what I'm saying? Having friends. Because it was me, my bro, and then my other homie. And we used to always just be on the music stuff. Even in school, we'd make songs together. So you were popular? I was popular, but not like the regular popular. Everybody knew me. The geeks knew me. Athletes knew me. The hood kids knew me. white kids knew me everybody he was popular yeah but I'm not necessarily like I don't know if I was considered like the cool kid you know what I'm saying I'm just like the kid everybody I know I'm in the projects I'm at the parties I'm at the skating rink I'm cool I'm just cool with everybody yeah I'm just a nice cool little kid like from the projects you know what I'm saying that's rapping be loud all the time you know what I'm saying they got the Froot Loops and went crazy Froot Loops started going crazy didn't they used to do all them reggaeton songs on that on that If they made reggaeton songs on that, that's a different bounce.
7:15See, I can never figure out the reggaeton bounce on Fruity Loops. Definitely can make trap songs and R &B songs with Fruity Loops, for sure. And then what about the writing? That's been a big thing for you, too. When did you know I'm a good writer?
7:31I had made this one song when I first started messing with it, with autotune. I went on YouTube and I just learned how to do the autotune settings. I remember I had searched Auto-tune settings like T-Pain Boom And YouTube showed you how to do it So boom, I just tweaked my shit from there And I made this song It was called All Alone And it was just different People was goddamn crying to it And Tupelo Viving to it Telling me it was one of the ones And you would let people hear it You'd put everything out? Yeah, I put it on YouTube actually I put it on MySpace I put it on YouTube Everything for sure But mostly it's a small audience at that point, right?
8:10It's just like this. Like 7 ,000, yeah. That's a lot of people for not being famous. That's a lot of people. Right. Like for somebody who's local to hear, for people to hear your music. Yeah, I thought it was a lot of the talent too. You thought you was popping? I'm like, damn, they listening. Like, we got to drop something again. Boom. But did you have big dreams or did you think like, I'm going to really do this? Yeah, I definitely wanted to get out of the city because my city was like, it really wasn't nothing there. But I was, it was like close to Memphis. It's close to Atlanta and just bigger cities.
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10:00probably like
10:03all through high school we was doing it but fresh out of high school like my mom like we ended up getting kicked out of the house basically you know what I'm saying cause we was loud like we was on the computer going to talent shows and then coming home late past 12 so it was like the door would just be locked sometimes you know what I'm saying like when we try to come back home the door would be locked so it would be like one day we just came home the door was locked we work at McDonald's too at this time so we just stacking our bread like Boom. So I came home one day. Door was locked. I'm just like, damn, bro.
10:34I ain't doing this shit no more. I'm finna get my own house. You know what I'm saying? Boom. I'm trying to build something on myself. So boom. Door locked. I'm like, damn, let me do this shit locked for real. Like, damn. Little nigga, me and my bro, like, we can't get in the crib. Boom. So we got to sleep in the car for the last night. Boom. Stack our money. Boom. And just get this, like, raggedy ass crib. Whatever. Water running. You know what I'm saying? Lights on. Boom. basically boom so we posted up there for like a couple years and one of our homies his name was DJ Shrimp so his name was Jamarcus and his cousins they made beats for Mike Will basically so there's just some like crazy alignment I don't even know how it's like random his cousins making beats for Mike Will and the Eardrummers and they making beats for like Rick Ross all the superstars at the time they got the hardest beats Mike Will Mike Will made it shout out Mike Will made it Boom.
11:28So they tell us, keep making songs. That's not a small plug. No, it ain't small. It ain't small. That's a big plug. It's just like, what are the odds? It's your cousin. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So they tell us, come to Atlanta. They start hearing our music. They're like, y 'all come to Atlanta. Come fuck with us. You know what I'm saying? We're going to help y 'all get to where y 'all trying to go. So we're going to turn y 'all up. So boom, we save all our money. We had a little apartment, too. At this time, we moved up to an apartment, like a better apartment. Niggas just ain't got no furniture.
11:54And it's you and your brother? Me, my brother, and we had a third member at the time. And your third member. Yeah, his name was Bobo Sway. So, boom. He had a truck and shit, too. So, boom. We had all the bands. We stacked our money up. Maybe, like,$700. Jimmy had, I don't know, like,$500 or something. And Bobo had a couple dollars, too, in the truck. Boom. So, we finally told P. Nasty. That was an eardrummer, homie. Like, Jamarcus cousin. So, when we told him, bro, we finna come to Atlanta. You know what I'm saying? We gonna see what we can do. And you're how old? Like 17, 18. Shit. That's ambitious.
12:29Yeah, yeah. We're trying to get it. Like when you think about it now, like a 17-year-old thinking about going to another state and chasing a dream that a lot of people would think is not even a real possibility or a real thing. I think it's impossible. Yeah. I think it's impossible. Everybody, like, they tell us it's far-fetched, you know what I'm saying? But niggas just believe in, like, whatever thing we got, we just believe in, like, we know it's going to happen. We just feel it. You believed it. Right, right. And we're going to make it happen. We're going to do the work, basically. Yo, when your mother locks the door on you, what gets her to that point?
13:06Probably because, hang on, she had three boys. It's three boys. We helping as much as we can, but I get it. She's sick of y 'all? Yeah, definitely, definitely. I put viruses on the computer and shit. Oh, no. Trying to crack all the software loud. Was she trying to regulate you? Was she giving you curfews? Yeah, she gave us a 12 o 'clock curfew for sure. And you were like? We got to go way over here to this other city and perform. And then drive all the way back. So boom, we come home, we trying to make it at 12 too. Damn, boom, we can't make it at 12 and do both. You know what I'm saying? So goddamn.
13:41So did you take that well as a kid? Nah, I was mad as hell because I'm paying a light bill too. I'm using my McDonald's check. I'm paying a light bill. I'm just helping out. You know what I'm saying? I'm the cool kid. it's three of us though you know what I'm saying so I get it like even being a parent now like three boys is like crazy you feel me in an apartment like so I get it I get the stress that came with it you know what I'm saying and she got a boyfriend so she's trying to you know what I'm saying start a life exactly you know what I'm saying have some order in her house exactly so I was like boom it probably do seem crazy like you know what I'm saying like they loud like so I get it I get both sides it's hard being a mother it's hard being a single mother for sure for sure I get it three boys because it's like you love them, but you also got to raise them to be men.
14:24Right. And if you out here being reckless. Right. It seems so reckless what I'm doing, but it's like this shit, this shit is strategic. You feel me? Yeah. Everything I'm doing is strategic. Has she ever apologized for that? In a way, yeah. And it's cool because I don't even got no bad blood about it. I'm glad it happened because that's literally, I wouldn't have blew up if I would have been, if I would have gotten a crib, probably wouldn't even be here right now. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So the door being locked is like, that's how it's supposed to be for me. You know what I'm saying? Yeah.
14:49That made me really get up and go get it. Is she proud of you? Definitely, yeah, overly. Yeah. And I'm happy. I'm proud of her. I'm thankful for her. You know what I'm saying? She did her best. Yeah. She was in the military for me and everything, so she did her best. That's all that mattered to me. Oh, that's what it is, too. She had that military background, so she wasn't playing with you. She didn't have Sergeant Energy, though. She didn't have Drill Sergeant Energy. Nah, nah. She was still sweet. She was very sweet. Especially to me. I was like, that's my twin. You know what I'm saying? Is it?
15:18Yeah, that's my twin. You guys are close? Even I look like her. Like, yeah, so I could never have no bad blood for her. She must be really proud of you. Overly, yeah. Overly proud, for sure. And she did believe in us, too, in a way. But it just got too crazy. But she did believe us. She bought us software, bought us mics and stuff. She did? Yeah, so she held it down, for sure. Wow, you must be so... Like, when you think about those times, is it amazing to you that you've come this far? Looking at everything, yeah, it is. it's crazy. You think this is how it's supposed to be? I think it was written for sure.
15:53Like, you know what I'm saying? I wasn't supposed to be in the hood. Yeah. I was supposed to be doing something in my life. You know what I'm saying? Even my name. My name, my real name, it mean leader of the people. You know what I'm saying? So, my mom named me that. And my dad, he was a Shaman. Like, my real dad, he was a Shaman. So, I think it's like, it's just, yeah, it's written. Where is he now? Sean, that nigga bailed. Oh, really? since back then? Yeah, he built. Oh, wow. You know what I'm saying? And he never popped up through all of this? He did hit me up when I was like 16, 17. You know what I'm saying?
16:25But I mean through the fame. He never popped up through the fame? Oh, no, no, no. I don't even want him to pop up. Yeah. And I don't even know what happened between them. You know what I'm saying? It could have been... They could have just been toxic. Had a toxic relationship. It could have just been overbearing for him to be there. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Sometimes the fame brings him out, though. Oh, yeah, the fame. hey man I missed you son sometimes the fame and the money brings him out yeah yeah he hit me up like right before I blew up though when he seen probably like no flex on like right before I really blew up you know what I'm saying like when I but it's like you weren't open to it I don't know if it was a random time or if it's cause he seen that but it was just like damn gang you know what I'm saying I'm good I'm good without you you know what I'm saying but it's love how has it been with your brother the ups and downs of that everything good like even my brother like Like, I was telling people, like, I look at that shit like a Jordan brand.
17:17Like, Ray Shremmer, that's a Jordan brand. Sway Lee, that's, like, another Jordan. That's, like, Ray Shremmer, like, the Jordan 12s. Sway Lee, I'm, like, the Jordan 10s. Slim Jimmy, like, the Jordan 13s or something. You know what I'm saying? Like, they always going to drop. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, they all their own entities. You know what I'm saying? Like, people, even, like, when we come together, it's, like, the Backstreet Boys. It's like 20 years we're going to come together again, reunite it, you know what I'm saying, do a tour, boom, boom, new album. We're just going to keep linking back up.
17:49I know you've publicly had some ups and downs. How have you, I don't know, where has that landed or what have you learned from going through all of that? Like what? Just what have you learned now? I feel like you shared some stuff at one point and then you were like, you know, we're brothers, shit happens. slow you know but like I don't know if you regret sharing some things sometimes or or I don't know like definitely I think when you like going through something it's best to just keep it off the internet really cause it can blow it end up yeah blown up in your face later but it is what it is yeah it is what it is whatever but you guys are in a good place now yeah yeah we good now it's like shrimp life you know what I'm saying we shrimp life it's like we're the black beetles you know what I'm saying like We ain't got no choice but to be good.
18:38And that's my real brother. That's my big brother. We're a year and a half apart. Well, you guys are close. You've been through so much. I mean, I know you've told stories about you guys kind of like... Yeah, sleeping in the cars together. Yeah. Broke, homeless together, for sure. We did everything together. What were those times? Were there conversations of this life? Did you see it for yourselves? It was like, yeah, we definitely got to get some money. We always just felt like we almost there. Just keep going. You're almost there. you almost there you almost there like every no you almost there fuck that you almost there you almost there and just it kind of seemed insane sometimes but it's like shit that's just how we was rocking like we believed we believed in ourselves like we know what we could do we just felt like we needed to just be in the right place do you think having each other helped that?
19:24oh yeah for sure for sure yeah it's like cause doing that on your own right you being by yourself going through that is a different oh that's crazy that would have been a lot tougher for sure cause we put our money together like And we just always there for each other, whatever he needed. Like, if I can do it, I'm helping him. You know what I'm saying? Like, we needed some food. Boom. Bro, you got$5? I got$10. We finna get some good food today. Boom. You know what I'm saying? We working jobs together. Like, everywhere I get a job, he getting a job. Boom. Like, if I live somewhere, I'm going to make sure he can get in there too.
19:54Boom. It's just like. That helps. Yeah, we partners in crime. Yeah. For real. So, yeah, how can anybody or anything, especially the music business, come into that? Yeah. Yeah. How did that change you, though? Like, when you start getting success and you start getting some money, people start treating you a little different. It was just, like, you get access to different stuff. You know what I'm saying? You get access to different rooms. And that always felt good, for sure. Like, definitely the recognition. You know what I'm saying? Muffles ain't telling you no. Like, usually, you know what I'm saying?
20:28You can't be here. You can't do this. Nah, motherfucker. It's my shit now. You know what I'm saying? Now I'm him. Get your ass up out here and that. Like, move. You know what I'm saying? When is the moment, though? When is the moment that you're like, yo, we're here. We arrived. Definitely when I signed with Interscope. Boom, I was in Jimmy Iovine's backyard. So they flew us to LA and shit. We're going to start meeting everybody. It was probably a nice-ass backyard, too. Nice-ass crazy crib. About three, four guest house. Boom. Big-ass clean white paint and shit. Every superstar in a nigga's backyard.
21:01I'm like, what the fuck is this? Boom. Nigga, Dr. Dre walk up to me. Boom. Sway Lee, man, we love y 'all music, man. Hey, welcome to the gang. Boom, boom. This Dr. Dre, nigga, I'm like, hey, this shit get real. You know what I'm saying? Like, for real. Seeing goddamn, what's my shorty name? Damn. Who is it? A few times I've been around that track. Oh, Gwen Stefani. Gwen Stefani, boom, sitting over there smiling, bright white smile. Was it a party? It was like, I guess it's what he do on a Saturday. I don't know. Oh, just in his backyard. Yeah, backyard, looking like Coachella, you know what I'm saying?
21:38I'm just like, man, all right, we here, Jim. Boom. Then we met Jimmy Iovine. He just sold the beat, shit, made billions of dollars, you know what I'm saying? You and your brother. Me and my brother and Mike Will. Mike Will was super locked in with Jimmy Iovine and the label and stuff. He walked you in there? Yeah, he walked us in there, boom. Everything lit, you know what I'm saying? We just started doing crazy stuff. What's going on with you in that moment? What does that feel like? I'm just like, nigga, this shit is a simulation or something. Dr. Drake, yo, welcome to the game, young nigga. I'm like, all right, bro, this shit.
22:11This shit getting crazy, you know what I'm saying? I just watched NWA a couple years ago, goddamn, all that shit. For real. So I'm like, all right, this shit real. Is that ever good? No fear in that, though? No, no fear. It was like, it's just one of the things that put a batter in your back. Like, oh, shit, you got to turn up, nigga. Ain't no turning back. Do you feel like inspired, pressure? I don't know. Do you call your mom? Like, what do you do after a day like that? Go to the studio. Get to the studio, get to work. Yeah, for sure, for sure. Yeah. But I had my album done and stuff, but it was like, man, we really in this.
22:46You got a good work ethic too, probably, huh? Oh, yeah, for sure. I be missing holidays. I live in the studio, for sure. No holidays? She got to be disciplined, you know what I'm saying? Sometimes you don't want to be there. Sometimes it's a lot of other stuff you want to be doing, but it's really your life now. You know what I'm saying? Shit. I just be thinking about 80 years in this shit you know what I'm saying so like Elton John been in this shit 60 years like so I just yeah I don't doing it as long as as long as I can you know what I'm saying I'm doing shit forever great dreadlocks great dreadlocks yeah for real so I just know what it takes the beauty is too it's like you're a talent that's like beyond the artist like you could you could write and appreciate that create for other artists so those artists tend to have a longer lifespan.
23:36True. Very true. Because you're writing for other people. Even if they're on the front line, yeah, they're still winning, for sure. When was the first time you did something for somebody else?
23:47And you're like, oh, shit, I could do that, too? I had a crazy experience, like, super early on. Michael had brought me to the studio, and I had to write for a female artist. I ain't going to say so many names and stuff, but it was like, he had me writing for a female artist and it's like when I first came in the game. Like a rapper? Yeah, she was like a pop star and rapper. She do it all. Yeah. Boom, I was supposed to be writing for this artist and it was a girl artist. So I'm like, I'm like a whole guy. I'm like, how do I write for a girl? I'm just learning. So I'm like, I'm sitting in the studio like four or five hours and I couldn't come up with nothing for the girl.
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24:19So I'm like, boom, at the end of the studio, like, motherfucker was telling me like, man, you need to get your shit together. It's the real industry. You need to get your shit together. And what was that? I'm like, I ain't really listening to it, but it's like, legend telling me, it's a legend telling me, yeah, you got to get your shit together. And then boom. So I dropped no flex on a week later. No flex, don't go crazy. And it's just like, it was just my flex. I ain't going to lie. It was crazy, though. That was one of my first frightening experiences. That was you late. Protect your pet with insurance from PetsBest.
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26:20Picture this. Me, Reese Witherspoon, in London, ordering fish and chips so often they might start wrapping me in paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, so I earn rewards wherever I book travel. Five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole? Visit wellsfargo.com slash autographjourney. Terms apply. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same premium wireless for$15 a month plan that I've been enjoying.
26:58It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do at mintmobile.com slash switch. Upfront payment of$45 for three-month plan, equivalent to$15 per month required. Intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra. Default terms at MintMobile.com. No Flex Zone was like your response. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly, exactly, too. So No Flex Zone Drive was like, my shit together, you know what I'm saying? Don't talk to me. Yeah, don't talk to me. Oh, God.
27:32But it was like, it was a learning experience, too. I was like, okay, boom, that writing shit, like, you got to approach it a certain way. And then that's when I started just playing, like, my records for the artists. Like, I ain't even thinking too deep into it, like, gender or nothing. like here's a banger you know what i'm saying just re-sing it boom why would you prefer to give that do that as opposed to building yourself up as an artist oh you see now it's like i don't really want to write for people too much because like now i'm really keeping it for myself for sure like you locked into your artist mostly yeah i'm keeping it but at that time what were you what was going on in that time i'm just trying to catch whatever plays i can catch like you know what i'm saying So I'm like, I don't want to write for somebody.
28:12All right, boom. Here go some bars. Boom. Yeah. Hopefully they use it. Boom. Get my credit. You know what I'm saying? Get my writing credits. Boom. So back then it was just like, yeah. Trying to just kick that door in. You know what I'm saying? Solidify myself. Yeah. And then what was the first one, that song that you did for somebody else? First song? I think it was Formation. It was Formation. That was the first time? I think so, actually, yeah. You out the gate? You Beyonce? If I'm not mistaken, it was Formation. Yeah. Shit. For sure, crazy. No pressure? Nah, because I didn't have to write for her.
28:47I just wrote the song and they liked it. So you didn't know when you were making it that it was for her? Hell no. Mike Will, shout out Mike Will. Mike Will got the ear. Mike Will played it for her and she was like, she fuck with this shit. And I get why she fuck with it because she getting the ladies information. She getting the whole world information. But it's crazy you go from not being able to write a song for a rapper. Right, right. to like, okay ladies now, let's get in formation. What? Securing a crazy one. What's up? So did you ever get together in that experience? Yeah, I met her too.
29:20I met her too. It was crazy. It was dope. Were you there when she recorded? No. Yeah. Oh, you were? Yeah, I was. It was in New York. I forgot what studio. It was a vibe though, but I met her. She was glowing and shit, hair float, blowing in the wind and shit. You know what I'm saying? I'm still this nigga from Mississippi like, damn it look. It's Beyonce. It's Beyonce. I'm like, doing my song what like what's going on right now for sure she did it she loved me she had like super like just pure like nice energy like yeah kind of like motherly energy I'm just like damn like she's so beautiful like beautiful person like you know what I'm saying like she's a good soul yeah you can feel her energy and shit like I'm like yeah got one with Beyonce for sure got one with Beyonce it's one of the things like yeah it reminds you like you're really here like keep going crazy I love that for you for real And then you gave French unforgettable.
30:13Yeah, shout out French. Yeah, we got the unforgettable. Billions on billions. Did you ever think I should have kept that? I look at it like it's my shit. You know what I'm saying? I got good publishing on that shit. I know what people mean, though. Like I should have put on my project or something. If anything, I definitely should have. And I don't know if it's too late to do this, but put my face on the artwork. Because my face is not on the artwork. some people might be confused and not even like recognize me for that song but yeah that's like even in my shows when i do that song it's like it was huge it's huge i still i look at it like my shit you know what i'm saying the video was beautiful video crazy i would probably put my face in the video a little more too though yeah you know what was that experience though like that was crazy like we really the video was it was a 250 000 video we went to um we went to Uganda like one of the really really third world areas and like these people like they happy with the bare minimum you know what I'm saying they smile and dance natural rhythm you know what I'm saying it's crazy to see the different lifestyles and it made you it made you really appreciate it made us appreciate what we had at home like like when the city like when the sun went down I'm talking about you can't see nothing it's pitch black no lights no lights no electricity flowing through the city wow you hearing animals crazy noise in the back you're like damn these folks lived through this we had to use flashlights just to get back to the cars it's crazy but these people were happy that's the main thing they're happy with what they have and it's like boom that changes you right yeah it changes that type of experience yeah for sure it opens your eyes make you appreciate where you at I went to Cuba one time when I was in my 20s I went to Cuba for the first time you Cuban?
32:00a little bit my mother's half Cuban and so she took me to Cuba and we went to this thing and this like little party and they were talking about how this guy quit his job as a doctor to drive a taxi because taxi drivers made more money than doctors and this is my American ass sitting at the table I go why would you go to medical school then all that time to be a doctor and they looked at me they were like to help people and I was like oh shit but it shifted It changed me. I was like, it just opened my eyes to like... People don't do good things. The whole world is not about money. Right, right.
32:37Not everybody operates the same way. Yeah. And so I know that experiences like that could really change how you see the world. Yeah, I really can't complain about too much. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. For sure. Yeah. And it was crazy because we took a couple of those kids to America. They live in America now. Yeah. Like a couple of the kids that dance. Oh, they live here? Yeah. So like three of them live here in America now. Wow. They came over here. Since the video? Yeah. So. And French did that too, by the way. French. Looked out for them. That's beautiful. For sure. Yeah. In real life, what are you most proud of about your career so far?
33:15Just like having classics. Having songs that you can play anywhere, like a wedding. You can play them in the hood. You can play them overseas. You can play them in Switzerland. and just having those like songs that really stuck with people. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, and songs that aged well. And just being known for being like a hook god or like a, you know what I'm saying, like a melody god or some shit. It's like, it's dope. You like the feeling of like contribution or is it just how people - It's more for like recognizing like your quality. Do you feel like you have other things that you still want to do?
33:54For sure. for sure i got a lot of like versions of sway that people ain't even seen so like what just like even the r &b stuff like even more afro stuff like really versions like they ain't seen they seen glimpses of me you know i'm saying i ain't never it's my first solo project so they only seen glimpses at a time so it's like yeah are we seeing some of that on this too yeah on this you're going to see some new styles, new flows, new melodies. You know what I wanted to ask you about? I know we don't have that much more time, and I have a couple of little segments I want to do with you. Yeah.
34:31I'm here all day. We can chop it up all day. I love that. We were talking about those songs that you have, and you did that song about ADHD. ADHD anthem, yeah. ADHD anthem, yeah. And I don't know, we hear that term all the time. And I think people sometimes just throw it out there because we also, all of us, our attention span is like what the internet has done to us and social media. You just hear that all the time. Right. What does that mean to you? Is that something you were diagnosed with or is that just your experience? I don't even know. I just know sometimes people be thinking different.
35:13You know what I'm saying? People of mine work different. I don't know like even like social anxiety like I don't even know if that's a symptom of ADHD or whatever but just for the people like going through it in their head like I made that song just for like them for that just letting them know it's normal like you know what I'm saying just do the best you can type shit yeah you know what I'm saying do you think you have social anxiety no I don't think I have social anxiety but sometimes I don't want to be talking and shit for sure I'd rather just be in my own zone you know what I'm saying I don't play sometimes I don't feel like talking either yeah so I don't know it could be normal it could be normal I don't know but yeah sometimes you know you just you don't even wanna you just wanna be under your rock but you know my job I gotta be on the front line so yeah you gotta be on yeah the ADHD I don't know it can be a superpower too though that's what I noticed I was gonna say do you think you have some of that do you think I could have it I ain't allowed sometimes I'd be like damn like where was my head at and I thought about this like sometimes you know you think about some crazy and you're like damn like where is my brain at right now but I ain't never sat down with a doctor and just like analyze that like do I really have ADHD or whatever yeah I ain't never huh I thought it was like something you were claiming like you I mean I feel like it's a possibility like I don't know that might just be a creative brain true you know what I'm saying like that's why I don't want to really call it ADHD but yeah who knows Oh shit.
36:44If it is, shit might be a little superpower or something. You just be looking at shit different sometimes. Yeah. Same difference. Hey guys, you ever sign up for a phone plan thinking, wow, what a great price. And then a few months later, it's like, surprise, your bill is higher. We hate that. With Boost Mobile, you pay$25 a month forever. That's unlimited talk, text, and data starting at just$25 a month. There's no price hikes. There's no contract. And this is forever. Plus Boost Mobile is now a legit nationwide 5G network. They invested billions building 5G towers across the country. So what you need to do is visit boostmobile.com or head to your local Boost store today and get unlimited talk, text and data for$25 a month forever.
37:275G speeds not available in all areas. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay$25 a month as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan. All right, we have a little segment that we do. This is a voice note. It's usually like a fan or a listener to the pod that knows you're on. We always list who's coming, and so they send questions in. Oh, that's fine. Yeah. So this is a voice note from Jericho. Jericho, what up? Yo, Sway Lee, I have a business with my sibling, and it's the best thing in my life. But at the same time, it's the hardest thing in my life.
38:07I love him to death, but sometimes I don't know where the brother ends and the business partner begins. So I'm kind of curious, how do you navigate that with Slim? Like, how do y 'all separate the relationship from the work? And when it gets real, what do you actually do to get through that? Thank you, man. Thank you. First, I thought he was about to advertise his business, but that was a great question. Come on down, too. I'm good. I got a cookie business with my cousin. We got some cookies. Anytime you want chocolate chip cookies. But no, that's a great question. I think once it gets to a certain point, it has to be understood.
38:53This is bigger than brother and sister. This is our livelihood. It's a bigger picture now. When y 'all clock out, you can be human. Be human, for sure. So separating it, right? They definitely got to separate it for sure. Yeah. And the sibling wars is crazy, like, because you feel so entitled to another person. Like, you know that person. Like, you grew up with them, so you feel like you can say whatever you want. You know what I'm saying? So that can get crazy, especially when money's involved. Yes. Sibling wars, like, motherfucker want to be right, but you got to find that middle ground. Do you have to humble yourself sometimes?
39:33You definitely do, but sometimes you got to compromise your decision, so it's crazy. Like, it's crazy. It can be crazy. Sometimes you got to cut the ties. Sometimes you can't work with people at all. Your family, your family, like, you can't. How did you manage the shift of, like, getting money too? Like, money all of a sudden and fame all of a sudden. Yeah. Did it change you at all? For sure, like, without even me noticing. But, like, I've always been the type to save money. You know what I'm saying? Like, stack money. Like, I've always been good with my money. Like, so just having it come in by the boatload is just like, damn.
40:11Did you say the boatload? Yeah, you know what I'm saying? I'm going to put something up. You know what I'm saying? Put something up. Just being something, you know what I'm saying? But you're being smart with it. Yeah, I'm being smart with it. 80 years. That shit got to stretch 80 years. Yeah. Where do we see you in 10 years from now? What you think? 10 years from now. Paint the picture.
40:32Goddamn, 30 ,000. Show's going to be like 30 ,000 people. stadiums two Super Bowl performances under the belt Super Bowl Super Bowl dancing choreography everything like we go crazy boom I definitely want to have a lot more albums out like I look at it like like Prince like he dropped 30 albums you know what I'm saying so I don't want to drop no posthumous albums definitely yeah more music a lot more albums out a lot more albums No posthumous albums. No posthumous albums. I'm going to get it all out, for sure. What does that look like if you have that opportunity to do Super Bowl? Have you thought about that?
41:16You're going to see Final Forms for A. Lee. I'm going Michael Jackson mode, for sure. Choreography. Choreography. Flying through the stadium. Back flips. Shit. All type of stuff. For real. What are your pet peeves or triggers? Yeah. Liars. Liars? Yeah. Liars. Are you a truth teller?
41:46For the most part. In you go. Nigga, they're lying right now? No, I tell the truth. I tell the truth. I keep it real for sure, for sure. I don't even like, I don't even really like the sugar coat shit sometimes. It's like, damn, you got to be real. Like, got to keep it real. Keep it apart. For sure, for sure. Keep it respect. And in real life, what do you think your superpower is? What do you think the thing is that has gotten you here? What makes you different or makes you able to create the way you create? What's your superpower? Probably the melodies for sure. Melodies. The melodies. Yeah. You know how to do a melody.
42:19What's the key to that though? What's the key to a good melody? How do you even know this is fire? Is it just something you feel? It just got to be tucked in the beat. You got to ride on the beat. Got to be right in pocket. Can you teach that? or is that something you're born with? I don't even need to teach it now, for real. You got to have like that internal rhythm. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Some people got it, some people don't, I guess. For real. Hey, guys, support for this podcast is brought to you by Walden University. Have you ever thought to yourself, what if I could go after what I actually want and I could really make a difference?
42:57Well, you are not alone. And this is exactly why I want to tell you about Walden University. For over 50 years, Walden has helped working adults like you get the W with the knowledge, the skills, and everything you need to build the future that you want. And you can make a difference where it matters most. If you've been waiting for the right moment, this is it. Head to waldenu.edu and take that first step. Walden University set a course for change. Certified to operate by Shev. This is an in real life bowl. Pick a question. How happy are you from a scale of 1 to 10? Oh, that's a good one. Super happy, man.
43:3335, man. Is that real? Is that real? Yeah, because the album out. The album out. I'm lit. Everything good. That makes you happy? That makes me overjoyed. Like, overjoyed. Are you genuinely a happy person most of the time? Or does it go up and down? Nah, I ain't gonna take a lot to really bother me and shit. You know what I'm saying? Energy you put out, that's what you get back. If you walk around with a shitty attitude all the time, it's like... Right over life, it's going to get you back. You know what I'm saying? But you're happy, you believe. You're staying optimistic. You know what I'm saying?
44:04You're finding reasons to be happy. Yeah, you get more from life, for sure. On a scale of 1 to 10, you are 35. 35, man. There it is. 35 in real life. Same difference out right now, man. You know what I'm saying? We got the album out. We good now. Sway Lee, everybody, in real life. Love. Congrats. Appreciate that. About the album. For real. Thank you, baby. Love. This is Swaley in real life.
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From the publisher
Singer/Songwriter and young hip-hop and R&B legend Swae Lee joins Angie Martinez to talk about making it out of Mississippi as a teenager with his brother Slim Jxmmi, getting his big break thanks to super producer Mike Will, and what is was like to write an anthem for an artist like Beyonce.
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