Swift Da Kidd

We are all guilty of listening to music mindlessly. We somehow manage to tune out the lyrics while we are driving, working out, or getting dressed for work. We focus on the beat, the sound, the melody, and completely tune out the artists’ lyrics. Admittedly, many of these songs are full of lyrics lacking a message or purpose. While these are great vibe tracks when was the last time you listened to music with a purpose? We can all admit we’ve fallen short when it comes to listening to music with an inspirational message. Doing so has become increasingly harder in today’s’ music industry. One rising artist, however, is turning out hits with a purpose, a message, and an impressively unique sound. 

  “I am an artist, not just a rapper. An artist appeals to all of your senses, your thoughts, your emotions. Just a ‘rapper’ is so one dimensional. [Art is] beautiful, it is meaningful, it affects all of your feelings, even brings on new feelings, and that’s what I’m trying to do; I’m really trying to tell my story and let that touch other peoples’ souls. I do this sh*t with a purpose. I want to create the art that was not there for me when I needed it most, for the people who may need it now,” said Swift Da Kidd, an up and coming artist from the city of Orangeburg, South Carolina. He explained that the music scene of his hometown, which he describes as “trap and hip-hop,” has influenced his own unique sound. However, Swift Da Kidds’ impressive art is inspired by much more than the familiar music culture of his hometown. 

 When asked about his inspirations, Swift replied as follows: “I have always had a passion for helping others. Feeling helpless sucks, and this is my way to help others ya know? I can reach so many people with my music, man. And if I can just help one kid, one person, then I’ve done my job. This is something I really want, and ya know, I don’t mind making sacrifices to get it.” Admittedly, Swift Da Kidd explained that making music began as a hobby, and he initially planned on pursuing a career in law or physical therapy. The people Swift surrounded himself with recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue his career in the music industry. Art, moreover hip-hop music, was also the most natural way for Swift Da Kidd to share his story with those he wanted to reach. Writing lyrics came naturally to Swift Da Kidd, and, from a young age, he had followed the music culture closely. 

Swift, who draws inspiration from top hip-hop artists like Gucci Mane and Lil Peep, has a very unique sound. Even more unique than the sound of his music are the feelings and thoughts each individual track evokes. “I want listeners to believe that if you set your mind to some sh*t you can achieve it, ya know what I mean? Everybody has a lot of problems and it’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to struggle. It is worth the struggle. We all f**ked up. You just gotta believe in yourself. You just gotta grind and get it out the mud. You gotta know that it really is all worth it in the end, man,” responds Swift Da Kidd when asked about the message within his artwork. This statement is a representation of his own undeniable work ethic and drive to be successful in the industry. His captivating music and motivational message truly do incline others to achieve their goals. His music relays his struggle in the industry and the challenges he faced throughout his early life. Swift has used his own advice throughout his life to overcome adversity in many forms. 

An average nine-year-old is worried about who they’ll invite to their next birthday party or what they’ll do at recess. Swift Da Kidds’ childhood, however, was much different than that of an average child. At the age of just nine-years-old, Swift Da Kidds’ mother was murdered as a result of an altercation involving drugs. This was, understandably, a life-altering event for Swift to face at such a young age. Swift took the time to explain his childhood that has heavily influenced his artwork and individuality. “I grew up knowing I had to get out of that sh*tty gutter. I grew up around people I did not want to be like. When people hear my music, hear my struggles, hear my story, I want them to know they can make it out, too. They can achieve the dreams they have; they can get out of it as I did. You can make your life what you want it to be if you grind right. You gotta put your mind to it, and you can do anything you want to do,” said Swift of his childhood. He admitted that drugs played a role in his life as well, however, he took the initiative to remove that aspect from his life. Throughout this emotional conversation, Swift held tight to his optimism and cheery demeanor, which is truly inspirational. 

Despite his aforementioned optimism, Swift Da Kidd admitted that he has faced his own challenges in the cutthroat music industry. When asked what he found most taxing in regards to the industry, he replied, “the legal sh*t.” According to Swift Da Kidd, the “behind the scenes” work is grueling and tiresome. Swift stressed just how vitally important it is to surround oneself with like-minded, supportive people, who understand your vision when facing these never-ending challenges. With this in mind, Swift had to be selective and mindful when choosing his team, despite the fact that he never meets a stranger. He explained that their loyalty is unmatched and they genuinely believe in him and support his vision to succeed in the industry. Every member of Swift Da Kidds’ team brings a different talent to the table which works cohesively with his end goal. Swift expressed his unending gratitude for his team and credits them with pushing him through the many difficult times he has faced. 

Swift Da Kidds’ art extends beyond his music and into his physical image. While Swifts’ unwavering smile is certainly the most noticeable aspect of his physical appearance, his multitude of tattoos hardly go unnoticed. Of course, I had to ask him about the meaning behind all of his interesting (and pricey) pieces of ink work. “My tattoos tell my life story and my journey,” replied Swift. “…My tattoos tell my story just like my music does. This is just another form of art. I’m an artist, ya know? So, you can listen to my story, but right here you can see it.” He then went on to further explain one of his more sentimental pieces; “this one that says believe in yourself, your god, and others? Someone told me that during a point in my life when I really needed it and I just really felt that sh*t. I want to always remember that so I got it tatted right here.” Not all of the words he lives by, however, are “tatted” on his skin. “I have a lot of different words that I live by,” he explained, “but the most important one is ‘I’d rather die standing than live on my knees.'” This statement accurately represents his strength and pride in his work. Despite this pride and “get it out the mud” mentality, Swift Da Kidd is still humble and is very much in touch with his roots and fundamentals.  

His passion for music and the sentimental inspiration behind his art left me curious about his equally unique sound. When asked how he described his sound, he replied that he felt it was “unorthodox, blunt, lyrical hip-hop with a trap melody.” This certainly rings true. Somehow he manages to maintain this nearly addictive and intense sound while conveying his message of hope and achievement. Swift admitted that, when listening to others’ music, he is mostly drawn in by the beat and the overall harmony of the sound. “Is it smooth? Does it flow?” he asked. His sound is both smooth and flowing, yet maintains that “blunt” message. When asked what he meant by “blunt,” he explained that he doesn’t “sugar coat” any of his lyrics. “How can somebody get my struggle and get my story and get the message if I just bulls**t them?” he asked. It’s true, Swift does not sugar coat his lyrics or his every day conversations. Regardless of his friendly disposition, he is always sure to “tell it like it is”. 

Throughout my conversations with Swift Da Kidd, one thing has become clear: he genuinely cares about his fans and his audience. Swift explained at one point that he was not following this aspiration for “the fame,” but to make a financial means to help those who have helped him and to inspire his listeners. It is obvious that Swift is driven to achieve his dream, not just by a passion for his art, but by his fiery passion for helping others in need. He specifically stated that part of his end goal is getting his grandmother out of his hometown and into a more fitting community. She helped shape the inspiring artist he is today, and he hopes to give her the life she truly deserves. His genuine compassion for others shines through in every casual conversation he has, despite the constant pressure that weighs heavily on his shoulders, as it does every up and coming artist in the industry. While the financial gains from his success stand to be considerable, Swift Da Kidd explained that he will not have fully achieved his goals until his message has reached as many people as it can. He hopes to be the inspiration for others that he wishes he had when he was struggling. Throughout his journey to success, Swift Da Kidd has remained active in giving back to the community that helped raise him to be the aspiring artist he is today. He has a notable passion for helping educators and children in his community, as well as helping families in need. He is known to donate supplies and funds whenever needed. Friends of Swift Da Kidd admit that he goes above and beyond to serve his community in whatever way possible. Swift Da Kidds’ humble beginnings have allowed him to understand the struggle of others in his community, and he hopes to alleviate this as much as he can. 

Swift Da Kidd is most definitely an artist to keep an eye on. His inspiring story, immense passion, heartfelt message, and immeasurable talent are sure to make him one of your favorite new artists. Swifts’ “easy to listen to” sound is unlike any other artist in the industry today, and will certainly push him to the top of the charts. Swift Da Kidd is, undoubtedly and undeniably, an inspiration and a fantastic, aspiring artist. Look for Swifts’ new mixtape on Livemixtapes, Mymixtapez, and Spinrilla, as well as his hit single with Wealth Nation Enterprises and The Orchard by Sony, which is now available on all platforms.