Swae Lee

2.1. Childhood and Upbringing

Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown was born on June 7, 1993, in Inglewood, California. His early life was primarily shaped by his single mother, who was from Nigeria and worked on tanks in the United States Army. Lee was raised in Tupelo, Mississippi.

2.2. Formative Music Years

Lee developed an early interest in music during his high school years. He began making music with his brother, Slim Jxmmi, and a local rapper named Lil Pantz, forming a group called "Dem Outta St8 Boyz." After graduating from high school, Lee and his brother experienced a period of homelessness, during which they lived in an abandoned house. This challenging period preceded their breakthrough into the music industry.

3.1. Rise with Rae Sremmurd

In 2013, Swae Lee and his brother Slim Jxmmi signed with Mike Will Made It's label, EarDrummers Entertainment, under the name Rae Sremmurd. As Rae Sremmurd, they released three studio albums: `SremmLife`, `SremmLife 2`, and `SR3MM`. Their early singles quickly brought them into the mainstream spotlight. The duo's debut single, "No Flex Zone", and their second single, "No Type", both became significant hits, achieving wide recognition.

A major breakthrough for Rae Sremmurd came with their song "Black Beatles", released in September 2016, which featured Gucci Mane. The song gained immense popularity through its association with the mannequin challenge internet meme, leading it to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 12 consecutive weeks. This success established Rae Sremmurd as a prominent act in the hip-hop scene.

3.2. Solo Work and Notable Collaborations

Swae Lee's solo career began to take shape with early guest appearances. In March 2015, he was featured on Mike Will Made It's "Drinks on Us", which also included Future and The Weeknd, marking his first single as a solo artist. In September 2015, his feature on Wiz Khalifa's "Burn Slow" led to his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 83.

Lee's songwriting talents were recognized in 2016 when he co-wrote Beyoncé's acclaimed track "Formation", which earned a nomination for Song of the Year at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The song also won the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award in 2016, and Lee himself received the Songwriter of the Year award at the 2017 MTVU Woodie Awards.

In April 2017, Lee was featured on French Montana's "Unforgettable". The song became his first top ten single as a solo artist, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually receiving diamond certification from the RIAA.

On May 4, 2018, Swae Lee released his debut solo studio album, `Swaecation`, as part of a triple album set that included Rae Sremmurd's third studio album, `SR3MM`, and Slim Jxmmi's debut solo album, `Jxmtro`. Later that year, in September, he was featured on Jhené Aiko's song "Sativa", and in October, he collaborated with Ellie Goulding and Diplo on "Close to Me", which topped the US Adult Top 40 airplay chart. He also appeared on XXXTentacion's posthumous song "Arms Around You" alongside Lil Pump and Maluma.

A significant milestone in Swae Lee's solo career was his collaboration with Post Malone on "Sunflower", released on October 18, 2018, for the soundtrack of the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This song became Lee's first solo number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. "Sunflower" received two Grammy Award nominations-for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance-and made history as the first song to receive double diamond (20 times platinum) certification from the RIAA, making it the highest-certified song in the association's history. The song also earned him two Teen Choice Awards in 2019: Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song and Choice Song From a Movie.

Additionally in 2018, Lee made an uncredited guest appearance on Travis Scott's single "Sicko Mode", which also topped the Billboard Hot 100 and received two Grammy nominations: Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. A later single, "Someone Said" (2020), was based on his feature from "Sicko Mode." He also appeared on Nicki Minaj's 2018 album Queen.

In May 2019, Swae Lee collaborated with Madonna on the song "Crave" for her album Madame X. In August 2019, he released "Won't Be Late", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, produced by Tekno and Mike Will Made It. October 2019 saw him featured on 88rising's "Walking", alongside Joji, Jackson Wang, and Major Lazer.

Further collaborations in 2020 included "Catch Up" with Chloe x Halle (produced by Mike Will Made It) from their album Ungodly Hour, and a feature on the remix of Arizona Zervas' hit song "Roxanne". On June 18, 2020, Lee released the single "Reality Check". That same year, he appeared on Pop Smoke's posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon and released "Be Like That" with Kane Brown and Khalid, which reached the top 20 of the chart and received quadruple platinum certification. In 2021, he collaborated with Alicia Keys on the single "Lala", which they performed at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. Lee has also been working on his upcoming album, `Human Nature`, since 2020. In October 2020, he invested in the esports organization XSET.

3.3. Artistic Style and Approach

Swae Lee is widely recognized for his distinct vocal ability, often described as having a wide range. He is particularly known for crafting catchy hooks and melodies, a skill demonstrated in his numerous successful collaborations with artists such as Madonna, Ellie Goulding, Anitta, French Montana, and Post Malone. Critics and peers have lauded his vocal talent, with some even calling him "the songbird of our generation." Despite his success in rap, Lee himself stated in a 2017 interview that he considers himself more of a singer than a rapper, highlighting his focus on vocal delivery and melodic composition. His unique artistic approach blends different genres, contributing to his significant influence on contemporary music.

4.1. Family and Relationships

Swae Lee has two children. His first child, a daughter, was born in 2020 with Brazilian model Aline Martins. In 2022, Lee filed for joint custody after separating from Martins. Later that same year, he had a son with his girlfriend, Victoria Kristine.

A tragic event impacted Lee's family in January 2020 when his stepfather, Floyd Sullivan, was shot and killed. Lee's half-brother, Michael Sullivan, was taken into police custody as the primary suspect in the case. In October 2023, Michael Sullivan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the incident.

4.2. Health and Public Engagements

Swae Lee has openly shared information regarding his health, specifically that he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In tribute to this neurodiversity, Rae Sremmurd released a song titled "ADHD Anthem (Too Many Emotions)" in 2023.

In July 2024, Swae Lee publicly expressed his disapproval of then-Vice President Kamala Harris. He utilized his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to urge his fans not to vote for her in the 2024 United States presidential election.

7.1. Contributions and Critical Reception

Swae Lee is widely regarded as an innovative and influential artist in the hip-hop and pop genres. His most prominent contributions include his unique vocal style, which features a wide range and an almost "songbird-like" quality that distinguishes him from many of his peers. This characteristic, combined with his exceptional ability to craft memorable hooks and melodies, has made him a highly sought-after collaborator across various musical styles. His genre-bending approach has enabled him to seamlessly transition between traditional rap and more melodic pop sounds, expanding the boundaries of contemporary urban music.

Commercially, Swae Lee has achieved immense success, contributing to multiple chart-topping singles and albums, both with Rae Sremmurd and as a solo artist. His collaborations, particularly "Sunflower", have broken records and garnered significant critical acclaim, including multiple Grammy nominations. His distinctive artistic identity has not only secured his place as a commercially successful artist but has also influenced many rising musicians in the industry, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in the evolution of modern music.

7.2. Controversies and Public Discourse

While Swae Lee's career has been largely marked by musical achievement, he has also been subject to public discourse, particularly concerning his personal life and political statements. The tragic death of his stepfather and the subsequent legal proceedings involving his half-brother attracted media attention, bringing personal family matters into the public eye. Additionally, his publicly expressed views on political figures, such as his disapproval of Kamala Harris and his call for fans not to vote for her in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, have sparked debate and discussion among his fanbase and the wider public. These instances highlight the intersection of a public figure's personal life and political opinions with their professional career.