Meet Swagga D | Music Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Swagga D and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Swagga D, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It started when I was about nineteen years old in college and saw a flyer for a talent contest. I talked to a friend who was also into rapping and we decided to perform in the show. We got together and wrote some lyrics over a beat. Even though we didn’t win the contest, it gave me a sense of how it feels to perform for an audience, overcoming any fears to show people who I was as an artistic person. Every time there a jam session on campus where anyone could jump on a mic and sing, recite poetry or rap, I was there. It was a good feeling to share the passion I had about music with others, and they showed me love in return.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe I wrote a song that will kick this response off perfectly:

“I remember when it all started…I was just a young black boy tryna be a rap artist. Every time I heard a beat I got excited, tryna rhyme in my head, couldn’t freestyle so I had to write it…down. I kept a pencil and a pad, every chance I got, I perfected my craft. I was getting better, and words sound good together, flowing like water, but in no particular order….” (“Thank You Song” by Swagga D).

I first fell in love with hip hop in elementary school. I literally used to sneak my Walkman © to class with me and listened to Kris Kross, Geto Boys, and Luke & 2 Live Crew during lunch. At an early I was intrigued by lyrics and how much I was emotionally affected by music. It wasn’t just hip hop that shaped who I am now as an artist. It was the entire 80’s-90’s music scene that influenced me, namely artist such as Eazy-E, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Too Short, Michael Jackson, Babyface, and groups like Shai and Silk. Even though I’m a hip hop artist, I’m not strictly bound to just rap music. I’ve been described as a R&B Hip Hop Artist. I believe that what sets me apart from others in this game is my ability to incorporate my tongue-twisting flow and harmonizing vocal stylings to any genre of music – rock, hip hop, R&B, pop, heavy metal, and even country. I can flow to any beat!

What I’m most proud of is the fact that despite life’s curveballs and adult responsibilities, I never fully gave up on the passion I have for music and being a part of the music world. A song that I am very proud of is one that I wrote over ten years ago called “The Curse.” In the last year I went through the creative process of re-inventing it, so to speak. It’s a song that I recently performed in a showcase of over thirty various musical acts and won. My camp and I call it The Curse 2.0 but the backstory of it is incredible. The vocal track of the original version was recorded on my phone while the instrumental track played on my laptop. I used a comforter draped over my head as the recording booth to isolate the sound. I did the mixing process myself after recording the vocal tracks. Even though the sound quality may not have been the best, I knew it had the potential to be recognized as a powerhouse song. “The Curse” (2.0) is a personal attestation of my ability as a hip hop artist.

Something I want my followers / fans to know about me is that I truly believe this is my calling and I aspire to be on a platform to provide inspiration and motivation through my music to help others understand that it’s one thing to dream, but if you put in the work, time, and determination, you can triumph over adversity and achieve your dreams. I am a man that has been through hell and back, but never gave up. The desire to use my talents in a positive way drives me to press on and not doubt myself. I understand now that things are about timing, and though I may have wanted things to happen sooner, it may not have been the right time for me. Music is timeless and ageless, and I believe I possess something that many say is missing from hip hop today – heart, passion, and a lyrical style that is reminiscent of an era of uniqueness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is full of things to do, see and places to go. Some cool spots are the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Ferris Wheel, Lenox Mall, Martin Luther King Jr. Center would all be on the list of places to go. The Atlanta Falcons new Mercedes Benz Stadium is an awesome place to hang out and see the Dirty Birds play. Park 82 is dope brunch spot with great food and drinks and live music on Saturday nights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A special shoutout to Carnita Burnett, one of my dearest friends who was instrumental in me reviving my music career and re-engineering a song from the young Swagga D days called The Curse. With her encouragement and support, we re-recorded the song that was pivotal in me winning a Dallas artist showcase, taking me to the finals in Atlanta. She is my business partner and one of my biggest supporters and her insight is invaluable to me as I pursue a career in the industry.

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