Sway DaSafo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the American rapper and MTV news personality, see Sway Calloway.
| Sway | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Ghana / North London | |
| Genre(s) | Rap / Hip-hop / Grime | |
| Years active | Unknown | |
| Label(s) | Konvict Muzik | |
| Associated acts |
T-Pain Akon Monkane Pyrelli |
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| Website | Official website | |
Derek Andrew Safo is an English hip hop rapper born in 1982 in Hornsey, North London, of Ghanaian origins, who uses the stage names Sway DaSafo or simply Sway; he is also a full-time producer.
Contents |
[edit] Early career
Sway began his career by making beats for rappers, before writing rhymes himself and rapping on London's underground hip hop scene in MC battles. Sway produces his beats and songs alongside his long-time friends Pyrelli and Bigz from Dcypha Productions his current independent label.
Using computer programs and home recording equipment, he was able set up his own record label and distribute his CD mix tapes through independent record shops. In doing so, he received airplay on the capital's pirate radio stations before being playlisted by BBC digital black music station 1Xtra three years ago. Sway is still unsigned, stating that he chooses to be this way until he finds the right record company for him.
Sway has released two independent mixtapes, called This Is My Promo Volumes 1 and 2. They were underground successes, and his debut LP This Is My Demo was released on February 6, 2006. Its first single, "Little Derek", headed in at #38 on the UK national charts. Remixes are also available featuring Baby Blue.
In February 2006, Sway appeared on Channel 4 News, where he was asked to comment on the question of whether Black British music was on the decline.
Sway was the main support act for The Streets' UK tour, which began in Manchester on April 27, 2006, and ended in Leeds on May 12, 2006. He has also been performing solo around Europe to promote This is My Demo. He created a song in 2005 dedicated to his profile on MySpace. He also appeared on The Mitchell Brothers' popular single "Harvey Nicks", alongside The Streets' Mike Skinner.
On the Channel 4 late night music show T-Mobile Transmission, Sway revealed to Arsenal fan and fellow rapper Plan B that his cousin is former Arsenal player Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.
[edit] Awards
His reputation rose from underground to mainstream after coming into the public eye by winning a MOBO award in September 2005 for Best Hip Hop Act. Sway defeated heavyweight Hip-Hop artists 50 Cent and The Game to collect the award.
He has also been nominated for the second year running in the best hip-hop category for the MOBO awards to be held at the end of September 2006. [1]
In July 2006, Sway's album 'This Is My Demo' was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize but the award was won by the Arctic Monkeys at the ceremony on September 6. [2]
In November 2006, Sway won a BET Hip-Hop Award for "Best UK Hip-Hop Act", beating the likes of Blak Twang, Plan B, Dizzee Rascal and Kano.
By being nominated and winning the BET for "BEST UK Hip-Hop Act", Sway was seen by millions across America in a video showing himself in a cipha with Saigon, Remy Ma, and Rhymefest freestyling on a rooftop in New York. This freestyle can also be heard on DJ Kay Slay's mixtape Drama Season Begins Now.
[edit] Latest albums
Sway has announced he has been working on a new EP called "Another Flippin Rap EP" which is scheduled to be released on 23rd April 2007. Rumoured to be making featured guest appearances on the album are Akon, Monkane, Lupe Fiasco and Chamillionaire Premiered on BBC 1 XTRA, DJ Semtex played a remix of his song "Up Your Speed" featuring Chamillionaire.
Sway has also announced a joint mixtape with US rapper Small World (of Ludacris' DTP camp) called Global Warming. It is currently scheduled to be released on 12th March 2007.
Sway also collaborated with veteran Ska band Madness (band) on a version of their latest single 'Sorry' released in March 2007 entering the charts at #23.
[edit] Discography
Full discography: Sway DaSafo Discography
[edit] Albums
- One - Onederful World (2002)
- Sway - This Is My Demo (2006)
[edit] EP
- Sway - Another Flippin Rap EP (2007)
[edit] Singles
- One - Bang/Keep On Searchin'
- Sway - On My Own (Feat. Careem) (2002)
- DJ Caramac - Simple 'N Plain (Feat. Sway) (2003)
- The Last Skeptik - Wordsearch (Feat. Squared)/Prior To The Present (Feat. Sway) (2004)
- The Mitchell Brothers - Harvey Nicks (Feat. Sway) (2005)
- Sway - Download (2005)
- Sway - Up Your Speed Remix (Feat. Bigz, Bruza, Pyrelli, Skinnyman & Triple Threat/Flo' Fashion (2005)
- Sway - Little Derek (Feat. Baby Blue (2006)
- Sway - Products (Feat. El Rae) (2006)
- Stanton Warriors - Hold Em High (Feat. Sway) (2006)
[edit] Mixtapes
- Sway - This Is My Promo Vol. 1 (2004)
- Sway - This Is My Promo Vol. 2 (2005)
- Sway - The Future? (2005)
- Sway - This Is My Promo Vol. 1 & 2 (This Is Not My Album) (2005)
- Sway & Lovedough - This Is My Rave (2006)
- Sway & Small World - Global Warming (2007)
