Swae Lee

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Swae Lee

| image = Swae Lee (2019).png

| caption = Lee in 2019

| birth_name = Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown

| alias = {{hlist|Kid Krunk|Kid the Great|iHipster Lee}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|6|7}}

| birth_place = Inglewood, California, U.S.

| origin = Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.

| discography = Swae Lee discography

| genre = {{hlist|Hip-hop|trap}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}

| years_active = 2010–present

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

| current_member_of = Rae Sremmurd

{{Infobox person

| child = yes

| children = 2

| website = {{URL|swaeleeofficial.com}}

}}

Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown (born June 7, 1993),{{cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/musician/rae-sremmurd|title=Rae Sremmurd|publisher=A&E Networks|work=Biography.com|access-date=August 18, 2019|date=August 12, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818185023/https://www.biography.com/musician/rae-sremmurd|archivedate=August 18, 2019}}{{cite web|last=Bemrose|first=Bekki|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/swae-lee-mn0003377693/biography|title=Swae Lee|publisher=allmusic|access-date=August 17, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2017154471.html|title=Swae Lee, 1993-|publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=August 18, 2019}} known professionally as Swae Lee, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Known for his wide vocal range and genre-bending, Lee first saw mainstream recognition as one half of the Mississippi-based hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd, which he formed in 2010 with his brother Slim Jxmmi. They signed with Mike Will Made It's EarDrummer Records, an imprint of Interscope Records in 2013, and released four albums that spawned hit singles including "No Flex Zone," "No Type," and "Black Beatles" (featuring Gucci Mane)—the latter topped the Billboard Hot 100. He guest appeared on French Montana's 2017 single "Unforgettable," which peaked within the chart's top ten—becoming his first song to do so as a solo artist—and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Later that year, he received a Grammy Award nomination for co-writing Beyoncé's single "Formation."

In 2018, Lee released his debut solo studio album, Swaecation, as part of Rae Sremmurd's third album, SR3MM (2018)—a triple album. That same year, his single "Sunflower" (with Post Malone) was released for the accompanying soundtrack to the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). The song peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100, received two Grammy Award nominations,{{cite magazine |title=Halsey's 'Without Me' Tops Billboard Hot 100, Becoming Her First No. 1 as a Lead Artist |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8492429/halsey-without-me-billboard-hot-100-number-one |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 9, 2019}} and became the highest-certified song in RIAA history; the first to receive double diamond (20× platinum) certification.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/post-malone-and-swae-lee-make-history-with-first-ever-riaa-double-diamond-single-sunflower-spider-man-into-the-spider-verse/ |title=Post Malone and Swae Lee Make History with First-Ever RIAA Double-Diamond Single "SUNFLOWER (SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE)" |website=Recording Industry Association of America |date=February 8, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-08}} Also in 2018, he released the single "Close to Me" (with Ellie Goulding and Diplo)—which topped the US Adult Top 40 airplay chart—and made an uncredited guest appearance on Travis Scott's single "Sicko Mode", which became his second song to top the Billboard Hot 100 and likewise earned two Grammy nominations. His 2020 single, "Be Like That" (with Kane Brown and Khalid) reached the top 20 of the chart and received quadruple platinum certification by the RIAA.

Early life

Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown was born on June 7, 1993, in Inglewood, California, to a single mother from Nigeria who worked on tanks in the United States Army.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/06/rae-sremmurd-interview-in-las-vegas|title=What Happens in Vegas With Rae Sremmurd|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=February 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.universalmusic.fr/artiste/32629-swae-lee/bio|title=Swae Lee|publisher=Universal Music France|access-date=April 22, 2020}} Lee was raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, and began to make music in high school with his brother Slim Jxmmi and local rapper Lil Pantz as "Dem Outta St8 Boyz".{{cite web|url=https://zhiphopcleveland.com/4457745/rae-sremmurd-behind-the-scenes-with-shorty-da-prince-bet-awards-exclusive/|title=Rae Sremmurd Behind The Scenes with Shorty Da Prince|date=July 2, 2014|website=ZHipHopCleveland.com.com|publisher=WENZ}} After graduating high school, Lee, alongside his brother, had a period of homelessness in which they squatted in an abandoned house.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/high-times-with-the-black-beatles-inside-rae-sremmurds-wild-third-album-629685/|title=High Times With the Black Beatles: Inside Rae Sremmurd's Wild Third Album|last=Weiner|first=Jonah|date=April 3, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=December 28, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.acclaimmag.com/music/interview-rae-sremmurd-2/|title=Interview: Rae Sremmurd|work=ACCLAIM|access-date=February 8, 2018}}

Career

In 2013, he and Slim Jxmmi signed to Mike Will Made It's label EarDrummers Entertainment as Rae Sremmurd. They have since released three studio albums under EarDrummers, SremmLife, SremmLife 2, and SR3MM.File:Swae Lee.jpgIn March 2015, Lee was featured on Mike Will Made It's "Drinks on Us", which also featured artists Future and The Weeknd, and became his first single as solo artist.{{Citation|title=Drinks On Us (feat. The Weeknd, Swae Lee & Future) – Single by Mike WiLL Made-It on Apple Music|date=March 6, 2015|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/drinks-on-us-feat-the-weeknd-swae-lee-future-single/974219390|language=en-US|access-date=February 8, 2018}} In September 2015, he was featured on Wiz Khalifa's "Burn Slow",{{Citation|title=Burn Slow (feat. Rae Sremmurd) – Single by Wiz Khalifa on Apple Music|date=September 3, 2015|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/burn-slow-feat-rae-sremmurd-single/1035006876|language=en-US|access-date=February 8, 2018}} which peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Lee's first solo entry on the chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rae-sremmurd|title=Rae Sremmurd Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 28, 2018}}

In April 2017, Lee was featured on French Montana's "Unforgettable".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7897939/french-montana-swae-lee-unforgettable-hot-rap-songs-chart|title=French Montana Earns First No. 1 on Hot Rap Songs Chart With 'Unforgettable'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 8, 2018}} The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Lee's first top ten single on the chart as a solo artist.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/french-montana/chart-history/hot-100|title=French Montana Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 8, 2018}} In September 2018, Jhené Aiko featured Lee on her track "Sativa".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/swae-lee-rae-sremmurd-hits-2018-767764/|title=Swae Lee Made Enough Hits in 2018 to Last Him a Lifetime|last=Leight|first=Elias|date=December 22, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=December 28, 2018}} Two months later, Lee released a song titled "TR666" alongside Trippie Redd.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/12/trippie-redd-swae-lee-scott-storch-tr666/|title=Trippie Redd and Swae Lee Drop New Song TR666 – XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=December 26, 2017 |access-date=February 8, 2018}} On May 4, 2018, almost two years after its initial announcement in August 2016, Lee released his debut solo album, Swaecation as a part of a triple album set, which also contained Rae Sremmurd's third studio album, SR3MM and Slim Jxmmi's debut studio album as a solo artist, Jxmtro.{{cite web|url=http://ca.complex.com/music/2016/08/swae-lee-announces-debut-solo-album-swaecation|title=Swae Lee Announces Debut Solo Album 'Swaecation'|last=Morris|first=Jessie|website=Complex}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rae-sremmurd-announce-release-dates-for-sr3mm-swaecation-and-jxmtroduction-news.48857.html|title=Rae Sremmurd Announce Release Date For "SR3MM" Triple Album|work=HotNewHipHop|date=April 27, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018}} In October 2018, he featured on the song "Close to Me" by Ellie Goulding and Diplo.{{cite magazine |last1=Bein |first1=Kat |title=Ellie Goulding Shines With Diplo & Swae Lee on 'Close to Me': Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8481581/ellie-goulding-diplo-swae-lee-close-to-me |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 4, 2018}} Lee also collaborated on XXXTentacion's song "Arms Around You" after his death, along with Lil Pump and Maluma.{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2018/10/25/new-music-xxxtentacion-lil-pump-maluma-swae-lee-arms-around-you/|title=NEW MUSIC: XXXTENTACION & LIL PUMP FEAT. MALUMA & SWAE LEE – 'ARMS AROUND YOU'|date=October 25, 2018|website=Rap-Up|access-date=September 15, 2019}} On October 18, 2018, Lee featured on Post Malone's song "Sunflower" for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/video/early-release-billboard-hot-100-top-10-november-3rd-2018-countdown-official-8482110|title=Early Release! Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 November 3rd, 2018 Countdown|magazine=Billboard}} which became Malone's third and Lee's first song as a soloist to top the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8493336/post-malone-swae-lee-sunflower-hot-100-number-one|title=Post Malone & Swae Lee's 'Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=January 14, 2019|access-date=January 15, 2019}} He appeared on Nicki Minaj's 2018 album Queen.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/swae-lee-nicki-minaj-chun-swae-710116/|title=Swae Lee Steals the Show (Again) on Nicki Minaj's 'Chun Swae'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 10, 2018 }}

In May 2019, he collaborated on the song "Crave" with Madonna on her album Madame X.{{cite magazine | last1=Zemler |first1=Emily|title=Hear Madonna and Swae Lee Team Up for 'Crave'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-madonna-swae-lee-team-up-crave-833798/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019}} In August 2019, Lee released "Won't Be Late" featuring Canadian rapper Drake, produced by Tekno and Mike Will Made It. In October 2019, he was featured on 88rising's "Walking", alongside Joji, Jackson Wang, and Major Lazer.

In 2020, he released the single "Someone Said", based on his feature on Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode". He also collaborated with Chloe x Halle on the Mike Will Made It-produced "Catch Up", from the former's album Ungodly Hour. He was featured on the remix to Arizona Zervas' hit song "Roxanne". On June 18, 2020, Lee released the single, "Reality Check".{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2020/06/18/swae-lee-reality-check/|title=Swae Lee Drops New Single 'Reality Check'|work=Rap Up|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2020}}

Lee invested in esports organization XSET in October 2020.{{Cite magazine|last=Millman|first=Ethan|date=October 28, 2020|title=Swae Lee Is the First Artist to Invest in XSET, an Esports Company Rebuilding Gaming Culture|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/swae-lee-invests-in-esports-group-xset-1082221/|access-date=June 17, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}} Lee has been working on his upcoming album Human Nature since 2020. In the same year, he appeared on Pop Smoke’s posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/swae-lee-interview-human-nature-album-9422761/|title= Swae Lee on Upcoming 'Human Nature' Album: 'I'm Breaking all the Rules'|magazine=Billboard}} In 2021, he collaborated with Alicia Keys on the single "Lala" at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/3180807/alicia-keys-swae-lee-2021-vma-performance/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210913035504/http://www.mtv.com/news/3180807/alicia-keys-swae-lee-2021-vma-performance/|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 13, 2021|title= ALICIA KEYS HONORS NEW YORK CITY IN STIRRING VMAS PERFORMANCE|website=MTV|date=September 12, 2021}}

Artistry

Lee has become known for his hooks and melodies, as demonstrated in collaborations with the likes of Madonna, Ellie Goulding, Anitta, French Montana, and Post Malone, among other artists. He has been described as 'the songbird of our generation',{{cite web|url=https://kulturehub.com/swae-lee-songbird-generation/|title=Swae Lee is the songbird of our generation and his latest single proves it|date=March 1, 2018|publisher=Kulturehub.com|access-date=October 16, 2019|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524010053/https://kulturehub.com/swae-lee-songbird-generation/|url-status=usurped}} with several of his peers and critics praising his vocal ability. According to a 2017 interview with A Polaroid Story, Lee describes himself more as a singer than a rapper.{{Citation|title=A POLAROID STORY x RAE SREMMURD: SWAE LEE INTERVIEW| date=July 18, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWLR2uy2OWc|language=en|access-date=September 17, 2019}}

Personal life

In January 2020, Lee's stepfather Floyd Sullivan was shot and killed. Michael Sullivan, Lee's half-brother, was taken into police custody as the suspected perpetrator.{{Cite web |title=Rae Sremmurd's Stepdad Fatally Shot in Mississippi, Duo's Younger Brother in Custody (UPDATE) |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/rae-sremmurd-stepdad-murdered-shot-mississippi-brother-in-custody |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.complex.com |language=en}} Michael Sullivan pleaded guilty to second degree murder in October 2023.{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=WILLIAM MOORE Daily |date=2023-10-31 |title=Rap duo's stepbrother pleads guilty to second degree murder |url=https://www.djournal.com/news/crime-law-enforcement/rap-duo-s-stepbrother-pleads-guilty-to-second-degree-murder/article_4902843c-7822-11ee-9188-87345ebb51e0.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal |language=en}}

Lee's first child, a daughter with Brazilian model Aline Martins, was born in 2020. In 2022, he and the mother separated as he filed for joint custody.{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/music/swae-lee-files-for-joint-cusotdy-of-baby-daughter-with-brazilian-model | title=Swae Lee Files for Joint Custody of Baby Daughter with Brazilian Model | website=Complex Networks }} That same year, he had a son with girlfriend Victoria Kristine.{{cite web | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/swae-lee-coachella-brawl-newborn-baby | title=Swae Lee & Newborn Baby Narrowly Avoid Injury in Wild Coachella Brawl | date=April 25, 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72984/title.swae-lee-first-child-girlfriend-victoria-kristine | title=Swae Lee Expecting First Child with Girlfriend Victoria Kristine | date=August 30, 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://thesource.com/2022/08/31/swae-lee-and-his-girlfriend-victoria-kristine-are-expecting-their-first-child-together/ | title=Swae Lee and His Girlfriend Victoria Kristine Are Expecting Their First Child Together - the Source | date=August 31, 2022 }}{{Cite web|url= https://941thebeat.iheart.com/content/2023-04-25-swae-lee-protects-newborn-son-as-he-fights-his-way-past-coachella-security/|title=Swae Lee Protects Newborn Son As He Fights His Way Past Coachella Security|date=April 25, 2023}}

Lee has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and released a song as part of Rae Sremmurd in tribute to the neurotype in 2023—"ADHD Anthem (Too Many Emotions)".{{Citation |title=Rae Sremmurd – ADHD Anthem (Too Many Emotions) |url=https://genius.com/Rae-sremmurd-adhd-anthem-too-many-emotions-lyrics |work=Genius.com|access-date=2023-09-19}}

In July 2024, Lee expressed disapproval of Vice President Kamala Harris, and urged his fans on X to not vote for her in the 2024 United States presidential election.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/swae-lee-backlash-fans-not-vote-kamala-harris-1235742118/|title=Swae Lee Faces Backlash After Telling Fans Not to Vote for Kamala Harris|magazine=Billboard|date=July 29, 2024}}

Discography

Swaecation (2018)
Human Nature (TBA)

Awards and nominations

= Grammy Awards =

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

| 2017

|"Formation" (as songwriter)

| Song of the Year

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web|title=59th Annual Grammy Awards Winners & Nominees|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/59th-annual-grammy-awards-2016|publisher=Grammy}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2019

|rowspan="2"|"Sicko Mode" (with Travis Scott, Drake, and Big Hawk)

| Best Rap Performance

| {{nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| {{cite web|title=61st Annual Grammy Awards Winners & Nominees|date=December 6, 2018|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/61st-annual-grammy-awards|publisher=Grammy}}

| Best Rap Song

| {{nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2020

|rowspan="2"|"Sunflower" (with Post Malone)

| Record of the Year

| {{nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| {{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/62nd-annual-grammy-awards-2019|title=62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards (2019)|date=May 19, 2020|publisher=Grammy}}

| Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

| {{nominated}}

= MTVU Woodie Awards =

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

| 2017

| Swae Lee

| Songwriter of the Year

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/woodies/winners|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318141755/http://www.mtv.com/woodies/winners|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 18, 2017|title=Winners by Category – 2017 Woodies|work=MTV}}

= Soul Train Music Awards =

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

| 2016

| "Formation" (as songwriter)

| The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"| {{cite magazine|title=2016 Soul Train Awards: See the Full Winners List|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7588852/2016-soul-train-awards-winners-list|magazine=Billboard}}

= Teen Choice Awards =

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

| rowspan="2"| 2019

| rowspan="2"| "Sunflower" {{small|(with Post Malone)}}

| Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/awards/2019/08/11/teen-choice-awards-2019-see-full-list-winners-nominees/|title=Teen Choice Awards 2019: See the full list of winners and nominees|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

| Choice Song From a Movie

| {{nom}}