The first thing you hear in Swayyvo’s music isn’t a trend—it’s time. Time spent learning instruments, time spent studying records older than him, time spent watching the South reshape hip-hop from the ground up. That foundation shows up clearly on his new single “Just Like Me,” a hip-hop/R&B record featuring platinum songwriter Jalen Jackson, produced by J White, and mixed by Gip. It’s a release that feels lived-in, not rushed—music made by someone who’s been building quietly for years.
Raised on the East Side of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Swayyvo grew up in a household where creativity wasn’t optional. The oldest sibling with three younger sisters, he learned early how to carry responsibility, but also how to express himself. His mother, a poet, regularly pulled him onto stages at events and venues he didn’t always want to be at, unknowingly sharpening his comfort with performance. Those moments planted seeds that would later define his career.
Music wasn’t a phase for Swayyvo—it was the environment. He began at 15 years old, and now at 33, he’s spent nearly two decades writing songs, producing records, and playing saxophone. Along the way, life took him from Chattanooga to Winchester, Kentucky, and back home again, where his focus on music locked in fully. Recording out of his room, he’s maintained a hands-on approach to his craft, while learning when to pass his stems to professionals to elevate the final product.
Sonically, his DNA is Southern at its core. He came up on OutKast, Pimp C, and Project Pat during the era when the South took control of hip-hop’s direction. At the same time, his musician’s ear pulled him toward the classics—Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind & Fire, Frankie Beverly, The Gap Band—and later into neo-soul, a genre that spoke to him emotionally and musically. That mix defines his sound today: Southern slang and bounce layered over moody chords, soul influence, and R&B textures. He’s never boxed himself into one lane, choosing to prioritize art first and worry about algorithms later—when it actually makes sense.
That philosophy has quietly paid off. Swayyvo’s résumé stretches far beyond solo releases. His music has appeared in NBA and NFL placements, Apple Pay commercials, and multiple TV shows. Three of his songs landed in NBA 2K21 and 2K22, placing his work inside one of the biggest cultural platforms in gaming. Behind the scenes, he’s also contributed as a producer, including work on “Friendly” by K Camp, and collaborated with artists like Project Pat and Sy Ari Da Kid.
As a saxophonist, his reach extends even further. He’s played on records for Asiahn, EARTHGANG, Lute West, YGTUT, and more, adding live instrumentation to a space often dominated by digital sounds. That musicianship is part of what gives his records depth—you can hear the difference.
