Joe and Jada - Angie Martinez IRL - Swae Lee on Living An Impossible Dream & Taking A Chance On Yourself

Episode Date: April 16, 2026

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.Visit your nearest Boost Mobile store or https://promo.boostmobile.com/webuilt...All lines provided by ‪Hard Rock BetSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. How has it been with your brother, the ups and downs of that? When we come together, it's like the backstreet boys, like 20 years we're going to come together again. Reunited, you know what I'm saying? Do a tour, boom, boom, new album. We're just going to keep linking back up. Hey, thanks for watching, guys.

This episode is brought to you by Boost Mobile. Young man from Mississippi, who came up with his brother and quietly became the voice behind four diamond records, including Sunflower Unforgettable and Black Beatles, from Beyonce or Post Malone, Madonna, to Travis Scott. He has been the secret sauce for many artists for years. And now for the first time, I can't even believe it's the first time. It's crazy.

This is technically he is stepping out on his own with his debut album. Same difference. Sway Lee is on IRRL today. Gang, gang, gang. What's good? What's good? What's good? What's happening?

Chillin, 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. Really? It wasn't set up for you.

No, no. I had to jump a lot of hurdles. Yeah, I'm going to talk to some people that maybe don't know your whole story. But the beginning was not, it wasn't laid out. Yeah, it wasn't pretty. What was the childhood like? Maybe you just paint the picture of that. I was born in L.A.

I had one brother, Slim Jimmy, my big brother, who was born in Englewood. We ended up moving around in a lot of L.A. I used to living Pasadena at one point in time, sleeping on the flow. 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, countries here. I stayed in apartments. I stayed in all type of stuff. I remember I stayed in an apartment, F-58. And it was an apartment complex called Evergreen Square. So I used to lit air, boom, came up, started messing with music. When 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 Colleen, 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. fruity loops so that's what you make the beats on and this is like fruity loops two fruity loops one and two like the early versions so I just started making beats and stuff

start experimenting with it boom beats sound like shit like but just out the blue like no introduction no manual no like you just yeah no man my beats like like it's like it didn't even make no sense like but then I just started learning it and 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. Like, we were just running around having, like, a lot of energy. Yeah, was you like an artistic kid or like? I might have been.

I'm just thinking I'm normal. You know, so I'm running around, probably singing and just doing whatever. And he was like, King James. He messed with that right there. Yeah, Gio Sunday. It's like, boom. And I ended up started, like, using it for real. And then you, when did you know you were good?

Um, I always just thought it was cool music I was making. But then, um, probably like high school. My whole school, they voted me, like, most likely to get famous. Oh, so something was going on with you. Yeah, there was something that people were seeing. I was rapping at lunch, you know what I was? 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, popping it, you know what I'm saying? In Walmart clothes, you said? Thrift store clothes, whatever it was.

I'm popping it, like... But what is that? So how do you get this? Where does that confidence come from? It's just having fun, you know what I'm saying? Having friends, like, because it was me, my bro, and then my other homie. And we used to always just, yeah, be on the music stuff. Like, even in school, we make songs together.

So you were popular? I was popular, but not like the regular popular. Like, everybody knew me, like, the geeks knew me, athletes knew me, the hood kids knew me. Yeah. White kids knew me, everybody. He was popular. Yeah. Yeah, but I'm not necessarily like, I don't know if I was considered like the cool kid,

You know what I'm just like the kid everybody knows. I'm in the projects, you know, 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. They got the fruit loops.

The fruity loops went crazy. Food loops started going crazy. They used to do all the reggaeton songs on that. If they made reggaeton songs on that, that's a different bounce. See, I can never figure out the regga tone bounce on fruity loops. Definitely can make like trap songs and like R&B songs. songs with Fruitil-Loo's for sure. And then what about the writing?

That's been a big thing for you too. Like, when did you know, like, I'm a good writer? I had made this one song when I first started messing with Autotune. Like, I went on YouTube and I just learned how to, like, do the AutoTune settings. I remember I had searched Autotune settings like T-Pain, boom. And YouTube, like, showed you how to do it. So, boom, I just, like, tweak my shit from there. And I made this song like, it was called All Along.

And it was just different. You know what I'm saying? People was goddamn crying to it and tuba. Really? Viving to it, like telling me it was like one of the ones. And you would let people hear it. You put everything out? Yeah, I put it on YouTube, actually.

I put on my space. I put on YouTube. Everything, for sure. So, but mostly it's a small audience at that point, right? It'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 that you have music. Yeah, I thought it was. was a lot of the town too. He's thought he was popping. I'm like, damn, they're listening. Like, we gotta draw something again. Like, boom.

But did you have big dreams? Or did you think, like, I'm gonna 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 was close to Atlanta and just bigger cities. You know what I always looked at it like, those would be bigger opportunities. Hey guys, today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet, Florida, sports book. The biggest weekend in college basketball is almost here. The round of four is set,

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bucks on your bet. Now you're going to win 200 bucks. That works out pretty good. So don't just sit on the bench, download the Hard Rock Bet app today and get the party started. When did you and your brother decide he was going to go out this together? Probably like all 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? Because we was loud. Like we was on the computer, going to talent shows and then coming home late past 12. So it's like, the door just be locked sometimes. You know what I'm saying?

When we try to come back home, the door be locked. So we were like, one day we just came home, the door was locked. We work at McDonald's too at this time, so we're just stacking our bread. Like, boom. So I came home one day, the door was locked. I'm just like, damn, bro. I ain't doing that shit no one. I'm trying to get my own house, you know what I'm saying?

Boom. I'm trying to, you know what I'm saying, build something of myself. So boom, door locked. I'm like, damn, let me do with this shit locked for real. Like, damn, little nigger, me and my bro, like, we can. can't get into 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. Wow. Basically, boom. So we posted up there for like a couple years. And one of our homies, his name was DJ Shrem. So his name was Jammercus. And his cousins, they made beats from Mike Will, basically.

So it's just like crazy alignment. I don't even know how he's, it's like random. His cousin making beats for Mike Will and the eardrumbers, and they making beats for, like, Rick Ross, all the superstars at the time, you know what I'm saying? They got the hardest beats, Mike Will. Mike Will made it. Shout out Mike Will made it.

Boom. So they tell us key 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 eyes? 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, yeah, come to Atlanta. Come to Fogwood us. Like, you know what I'm saying? We're going to help y'all get to where you're trying to go.

And so we're going to turn y'all up. So, boom, we save all our money. We had a little apartment, too. This time we moved up to an apartment, like a better apartment. Niggins just ain't got out of furniture. And it's you and your brother. Me, my brother, and we had a third member at the time. Yeah, his name was Bobo Sway.

So, boom, he had a truck and shit, too. So, boom. We had out of 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, and the truck, boom. So we finally told P. Nasty, that was an eardrumber, homie, like Jamarcus cousin. So when we told him, bro, we're going to come to Atlanta.

You know what I'm saying? We're going to see what we can do. And you're how old? Like, 17, 18. Shit. That's ambitious. Yeah, yeah. 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 it's not even a real possibility or a real thing. I think it's impossible. 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. Like, we just feel it. He 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. Yeah. What gets her to that point? Probably because I hang on, she had three boys. Like, it's three boys. Like, we're helping as much as we can, but I get it.

Like, she's a boyfriend and stuff. Yeah, definitely, definitely. I put viruses on the computer and shit, you know what I'm saying? Oh, no. Trying to crack all the software, loud. Was she trying to regulate you? Like, was she giving you, like, curfews? Yeah, she gave us, like, a 12 o'clock curfew for sure.

But it's like, and you were like, we got to go way over here to his other city and perform and then drive all the way back. So, boom, we come home. We're 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, God, yeah. So did you take that well? As a kid?

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 in a joint I'm 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 even being a parent now like three boys is like crazy you feel I mean

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

They're like, they're loud. 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.

Right. And if you out here being reckless. Right. It seems so reckless what I'm doing. But it's like, this shit, it's just strategic. You feel me? Yeah. Everything I'm doing 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 want to blow up if I. I would have been, if I would have got in the 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? That 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? Like, she did her best. Yeah. She was in the military for me and everything. So she did her best. That's all that matter to me. Oh, that's what it is too.

She had that military background. Yeah. She wasn't playing with you. She didn't have Sergeant Energy, though. She didn't have like drill sergeant energy. No, no. She was still sweet. She was very sweet.

Especially me, I was like, that's my twin. Like, you know what I'm saying? Is it? Yeah, that's my twin. You guys are close? Even, I looked 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, 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 come this far? Like, looking at everything, yeah, it is. It is crazy. You think this is how it's supposed to be. I think it was written for sure. Like, you know what I'm saying? I wasn't supposed to be in the hood. Like, yeah. I was supposed to be doing something in my life, you know what I'm saying? Even my name, my name me, my real name, it means 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's he now? Sh, I don't know my 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, like 16, 17, you know what I'm saying? But I mean, through the fame.

He never popped up through the fame? Oh, no, no, no. I don't even want to pop up. Yeah. And I don't even know what happened between them. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. It could have been, they could 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, you're the fame. Hey, man, I missed you, son. Yeah. Sometimes the fame and the money brings him out.

Yeah, yeah. But now, yeah. He hit me up, like, right before I blew up, though, when he's seen probably like, no flex on, like, right before I really blew up. Yeah. Like, when I, but it's like. You weren't open to it.

I don't know if it was a random time. I don't know if it's because he's seen that. But it was just like, damn, gang, you know what I'm good. I'm good without you, you know what? It's love, but. How has it been with your brother, the ups and downs of that. Everything good.

Like, even my brother, like, I was telling people, like, I look at that shit like a Jordan brand. Like, Ray Shimmer, that's a Jordan brand. Swayley, that's like another Jordan, that's like, like Ray Shroom, like the Jordan 12s. Swayley, I'm like the Jordan 10s. Slim Jimmy, like the Jordan, the 13s or something.

You know what I'm saying? Like, they always going to drop. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, they are their own entities, you know what I'm saying? Like, people, Even like when we come together, it's like the backstreet boys, 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. I 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? Like, I feel like you shared some stuff at one point. Very true.

You were like, you know, we're brothers. Shit happens. You know, but like, I don't know if you were. regret sharing some things sometimes or, I don't know. Like, definitely I think when you, when you, like, going through something is best to just keep it off the internet. Really? Because 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're good now. It's like, shrimp life, you know what I'm saying? We're shrimp life. It's like, where we're the black beetles, you know what I'm saying?

It is what it is. It's good. And that's my real brother. That's my big brother. Like, 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. Like, we did everything together. What was those times? Like, were the conversations of this life? Like, did you see it for yourselves? It was like, yeah, we definitely got to, we got to get some money.

Like, we always just felt like we're almost there. Like, just keep going. Like, you're almost there. You're almost there. You almost, like, every no, you're 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 need to just be in the right place. Do you think having each other helped that? Oh, yeah, for sure, for sure. Yeah.

It's like. Because doing that on your own. Right. You being by yourself going through that? Is it different? Oh, that's crazy. That would have been a lot tougher for sure because we put our money together. Like, and we just always.

there for each other, wherever he needed. Like, if I can do it, I'm helping him. You know what I'm saying? Like, we needed some food, boom. Where you got $5? I got $10, we're going to get some good food today, boom. You know what I'm saying? We're working jobs together.

Like, everywhere I get a job, he gets a job, boom. Like, if I live somewhere, boy, I'll make sure he can get in there too, boom. It's just like. That helps. Yeah, we partners in crime. Yeah. So, yeah, how can anybody or anything, especially the music business come into that? 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? Mufford ain't telling you no, like usually, you know what I'm saying?

You can't be here, you can't do this. You get it, nah, it's my shit now. I'm in now. Get your ass about here or not, like, move. You know what I'm saying? When is the moment, though? Like, when is the moment that you're like, yo, we're here, like, we arrived?

Definitely when I signed with Interscope, boom, I was in Jimmy Avine backyard. So they flew us to L.A. 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 painting shit.

Every superstar in a nigga backyard. I'm like, the fuck is this? Like, boom. Nick, Dr. Dre walk up to me, boom. Sway Lee, man. We love y'all music, man. Hey, welcome to the game. Boom on.

Like, this Dr. Dre, nigga, I'm like, hey, this shit getting real. You know what I'm saying? Like, for real. Seeing goddamn, um, what's shorty name? Damn. Who is it?

A few times have 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's doing on a Saturday. Oh, just in his backyard. Yeah, backyard looking like Coachella, you know what I'm just like, man, all right, we here, Jim, boom.

Then we met Jimmy Avine, 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 Avine and the label and stuff. He walked you in there? Yeah, he walked just in there, boom, everything was lit, you know what I'm saying? We just started doing crazy stuff. What's going on with you in that moment?

Like, what does that feel like? I'm just like, nigger, this shit, I sent me. or something. Like, nigga's it. Dr. Drake, yo, welcome to the game, young nigga.

I'm like, alright, this shit. This shit getting crazy, you know what's it? I just watched the NWA a couple years ago goddamn all that shit

for real. So I'm like, all right, this shit real. Is that ever get no fear in that though? No, no fear was like,

it's just one of the things to put a batter in your back. Like, oh shit, you got to turn up, like, ain't no turning back. Who 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.

But I had my album done and stuff, but it was like, man, we're really in this. You got a good work ethic too, probably, huh? Oh, yeah, for sure. I'll 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're going 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. So I just, yeah, I don't, doing it as long as I can. You know what I'm doing shit forever.

Gray dreadlocks. You know what I'm saying? 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 write and create for other artists. So those artists tend to have a longer lifespan because... True. Very true.

Because you writing for other people doing this. Even if they're on the front line, yeah, they still winning, for sure. When was the first time you did something for somebody else? And 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 it was like, I had to write for, like, 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, like a pop star. Like, and rapper, she'd do it all. Like, so. Yeah. Boom, I was writing for this artist. And it was a girl artist.

So I'm like, I'm like, I'm like a whole guy. I'm like, how do I write for a girl? Like, boom, I'm just learning. So I'm like, sitting in the studio like four or five hours and I couldn't come up with with nothing for the girl. So I'm like, boom, at the industry, like, like, my fuck was telling me like, man, you need to get your shit together. Like, it's the real industry.

You need to get your shit together. And what was that? I'm like, man, I ain't really listening to it, but it's like, legend telling me that's a legend telling me, like, yeah, you got to get your shit together, duh. 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 alive. It was crazy, though, like, that was one of my first. That was you, like. That was you late. In New York, Lorena Borjas was her the protector of Latinas that have learned to survive three times. Like women trans,

as immigrants and as women, and as farragers sexual. I'm going to get to get to like a

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Apple Podcasts or where any that you see your podcasts I'm John Green you may know

me as the author of the fault in our stars and now I guess also as the co-host of

The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast. I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game, and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the star

player on our high school soccer team. very debatable. And I was there most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, it's heartbreak, and above all, it's beauty. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I feel like it was a little bit unbelievable until I really start making getting money. It's Financial Literacy Month and the podcast, Eating While Broke, is bringing real conversations about money, growth, and building your future. This month, hear from top streamer Zoe Spencer and venture capitalist Lakeisha Landrum Pierre as they share their journeys from starting out to leveling up. If I'm outside with my parents and they're seeing all these people come up to me for pictures, it's like, what? Today now, obviously, it's like 100% they believe everything. But at first, it was just like, you got to go get a real job. There's an economic component to communities thriving.

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Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly, too. So No Flex On Drive was like, my shit together, you know what I'm saying? You're talking about, yeah. Oh, God. Oh, God. But 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 artist.

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 even. really want to write for people too much because like now I'm really keeping it for myself for sure. You locked into your artist.

Mostly yeah, I'm keeping it for myself. But in that time, 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, all 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 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're out the gate, you Beyonce. If I'm not mistaken, it was formation. Yeah. For sure. For sure. Crazy.

No pressure? Nah, because I ain't had to write for her. I 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. Yeah.

Mike Will played it for her. She was like, she fuck with this shit. And I get why she fuck with it because she getting a lady's in formation. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? She getting the whole world in formation. Yeah. So.

But it's crazy you go from like not being able to write a song for a rapper. Right, right. To like, okay ladies now let's get in formation. What? Caring her crazy. So did you ever get to do that experience? Yeah, I met her too. I 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. It was studio. 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, look. It's Beyonce. It's Beyonce. I'm like... Doing my song. What? Like, what's going on right now? So she did it, she love me.

She had like super like, just pure, like nice energy. 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?

She's a good soul. Yeah, you can feel her energy. and shit, 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. Yeah.

And then you gave French, Unforgetable. Yeah, 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 got good publishing on that shit. I got good publishing on that shit. Yeah. I know what people mean, though, like I should have put on my price.

or something. If anything, I definitely should, 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. So 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. Yeah, it's huge. I still, I look at it like my shit, you know what I'm saying? The video was beautiful. Yeah, video crazy. I would probably put my face in the video a little more too, though.

Yeah. What was that experience? That was crazy. Like we really, the video was, it was a $250,000 video. We went to, we went to Uganda, like, one of the really, really third world areas. And like, these people, like, they're happy with the bare mental, you know what I'm saying? They smile and dance and 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. electricity flowing through the city. Wow. You hear an animal something.

It's crazy noise in the back of it. You're like, damn, like, these folks live through this one. And I'm like, we had to like use flashlights just to get back to the cars and shit. Like, it's crazy. Like, but these people were happy. That's what was the main thing. They're happy with what they have. And it's like, boom.

That changes you, right? Yeah, change. Yeah, for sure. It open your eyes, like, 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. There was a, you Cuban? A little bit.

My mother is half Cuban. Right, that's fine. 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 here, here, and this is my American ass sitting at the table. I go, well, 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

Not everybody operates the same way Yeah And so I know that experiences like that It could really change How you see the world Right I really can't complain about too much You know what I'm like for sure

Yeah And it was crazy because like We took a couple of those kids Like to America They live in America now Yeah Like a couple of the kids Oh, they live here?

Yeah. So, like, three of them live here in America now. 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? Just, like, having classics. Having songs that you can play anywhere, like a wedding. You can play them in the hood. You can play them in overseas. You can play them in Switzerland.

Just having those, like, songs that really stuck with people. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? And songs that age well. And just being known for being like a hook god or like a, you know what I'm saying? Like a melody guy or so shit. It's like, it's dope. You like the feeling of, like, contribution or is it just how people-

It's not for, like, recognizing, like, your quality. Do you feel like you have other things that you still want to do? For sure, for sure. I got a lot of like versions of sway that people ain't even seen. 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 what I'm saying? 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 like new styles, new flows, new melodies. You know what I wanted to ask? ask you about, I know we have to, we don't have that much more time and I, and I want to have a

couple of little segments I want to do with you, but you know, I'm here all day. I love it. I love that. I love that. We were talking about those, those songs that you have, and you, 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 is our attention span. It's like, what the internet has done to us and social media. You just hear that all the time. Right.

But what does that mean to you? Like, is that something you were diagnosed with or is that just your experience? I don't even know. Like, I just know sometimes, like, people be thinking different, you know what I'm saying? Like, people mind 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, go.

Going through it in the head. Like, that's what, I made that song just for, like, them. For that. Just letting know it's normal. Like, you know what I'm saying? Just do the best you can type of 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 the shit for sure. I'd rather just be in my own zone. You know what I'm saying? I don't know. Please, sometimes I don't be 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 don't even want to, you just want to be in your under your rock. Yeah. You know, my job, I got to be on the front line. Yeah.

You got to be on. Yeah. The ADHD, I don't know. It can be a superpower too, though. That's what I noticed. I was going to say, some people have. Do you think you have some of that? Do you think?

I could have it. I didn't allow it. Sometimes I'd be like, damn, like, where was my head at when I thought about this? Like, sometimes, you know, you think about some crazy stuff. You're like, damn, like, where is my brain in right now? When I ain't never sat down with a doctor and just like. Analyze that? Do I really have eight?

pictures or whatever. Yeah. Yeah, I ain't agree. Huh. I thought it was like something you were claiming. Like you... I mean, I feel like it's a possibility.

I don't know. That might just be a creative brain. True. I'm saying. That's why I don't want to really call it ADHD, but... Yeah. Who knows?

If 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 signed up for a phone plan thinking, wow, what a great price?

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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. But it'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. I love them 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 it was about to advertise this business, but that was a great question.

Come on down to... I'm good. I got a cookie business with my cousin. We got some cookies. We got some cookies. That's a great question. I think once it gets to a certain point, it has to be understood.

Like, it's just bigger than brother and sisters. Like, this is like, it's our livelihood. It's a bigger picture now. Like, when y'all clock out, though, you can be human. You know what I'm saying? Be human, for sure. But, yeah. 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 the other 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.

Yeah, sibling wars, like, motherfucker I want to be right, but you got to find that middle ground. Do you have to humble yourself sometimes? You definitely do, but sometimes you got to compromise your decision, so it's crazy. 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 the sudden and fame all the sudden. Yeah. Did it change you at all? For sure. Like, without even me noticing, but like, just, I always been the type to, like, to save money, you know what I'm saying? Like, stack money.

Like, I always been good with my money. Like, so just having it come in by the boatload is just like, damn. Do you say the boatload? Yeah, you know what I'm putting some up. You know what I'm putting something up? Spend some, you know what I'm saying? But you're being smart with it. Yeah, being smart with it.

80 years. I should have to stretch 80 years. Yeah. Where do we see you in 10 years from now? What do you think? 10 years from now. Paint the picture. God damn.

30,000. Show is 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'll definitely want to have a lot more albums out. I look at it like Prince. 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 of 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? Like, have you thought about that? That's just, you don't see Final Forms.

So, A Lee, like, I'm going Michael Jackson mode. For sure. Choreography. Ceremony. Flying through the stadium. Backflips, shit. All the type of stuff. For real.

What are your pet peeves or triggers? Liars. Lires? Yeah. Lyers. Are you a trick, teller? I'm saying, for the most part. Here you go.

Nicking the 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 sugarcoat shit sometimes. It's like, damn, you got to be real. Like, got to keep it up. Keep it in mind.

Keep it up. And in real life, what do you think your superpower is? Like, what do you think the thing is that has gotten you here? Like, what makes you different or makes you able to create the way you create? What's your superpower? Oh, yeah, probably in melodies for sure, melodies. Melodies. Yeah.

You know how to do a melody. What's the key to that, though? Like, what's the key to a good melody? Like, how do you? even know this is fire? Is it just something you feel? It's just got to be tucked in the beat. Like, you got to ride on the beat. Like, got to be right in pocket. Can you teach that or is that something you're born with? Yeah, 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? Well, 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 Shiv. This is an in real life bowl. Pick a question. How happy are you from a scale of one to ten? Oh, that's a good one. Super happy, man. 35, 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 Like if I'm just, if you walk around like With this shitty addicts all the time It's like, right over life We're gonna get you back, you know what I'm saying? But yeah

You're happy, you believe You're staying optimistic You know what I'm saying You find the reasons To be happy like Yeah, you get more from life for sure On a scale of 1 to 10 You're at 35

35 in real life Same difference out right now You know what I'm saying We've got the album out we're good now Swayley, everybody, in real life. Congrats. Appreciate the album. Thank you, baby.

Love. This is Swayley in real life. Hey, guys, thanks for watching. Make sure you subscribe, like, comments, and check out all of the other episodes we have on Angel Martinez's IRL podcast. In New York, Lorena Borjas protectia to Latinas

that have learned to survive three times. Like women trans, as immigrants and as women, and as well I'm going to get to like a girl, to bele with

garas and u-u-nias. But when he was, he waso, it was a quarter battle to prospering in a world

full of amazasas. The Reignas Queens in the app of IHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or where

you see your podcasts. I'm Daniel Alarcon and this is my friend, this is much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far,

but I'm John Green, co-host of the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel. On our podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021.

and I'm Kunky, his best friend, and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Anna Navarro and on my new podcast, Bleep with Anna Navarro. I'm talking to the people closest to the biggest issues happening in your community and around the world. Because I know deep down inside right now, we are all cursing and asking what the bleep is going on. Every week I'm breaking down the biggest issues happening in our communities and around the world. I'm talking to people like Julie K. Brown, who broke the explosive story on Jeffrey Epstein in 2018. The Justice Department threw, we counted four, presidential administrations failed these victims. Listen to Bleep with Anna Navarro on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast.

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