Meet KeepitSwain | Recording Artist, Entrepreneur

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

Hi KeepitSwain, why did you pursue a creative career?
Bringing a creative approach to situations was kind of how my mind was shaped coming up as a kid so I guess it was an innate career choice. I was one of those kids dreaming about the full 64 color Crayola set with the sharpener on the side, hustling a couple bucks for the Scholastic Fair and building acres of Legos whenever I could. When I think about the career that I’ve chosen, I feel blessed to be in an industry that allows me to have a different kind of day almost every day. I hate being too bound by routine, and I’ve had multiple work experiences in the past where I was tied to a location or a role that wound up limiting me in other areas of my life. Music gives me space to, not only be creative, but to explore, and do so many other things I might never have gotten the chance to.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a recording artist. So I make music, I sing and rap, I record narratives and voice overs, as well as engineer for other artists. I pretty much live in a studio nowadays but there was one point in time I had to sneak around after hours just to get a little studio time. I think working for myself was one of the best things I could’ve done because it forced me to bet on me. That confidence has led me to numerous opportunities with creatives and organizations around the world, and fuels alot of my drive today. It definitely wasn’t easy, but I don’t think anything worth pursuing is.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ughhh I’m terrible with this type of stuff. My sisters hate me lol I’m a lab rat. But I believe that if you’re with the right people, anywhere can be fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Man I’ve had HELLA people putting on for me the entire time! The sad thing is it took me way too long to realize that, but the most motivating factor outside of the belief I have in myself is the belief that others have put in me. That shit beams me up!! And it started with the original Winners Circle, the Tampa trio of rappers straight outta Wharton High School that introduced me to the reality of this whole music thing. The first time I was writing in public, putting together mixtapes, freestyling, looking up shows- all that started because I knew Jordan & Steve was right there with me, putting in the work and taking this more serious than anything we’d known at the time. They were motivating me at that time to kick this thing up another level, and I needed that initial acceptance just to take myself serious. Then I met my bro Milky, and he added hustle to my repertoire. Dude was always on the move, always headed somewhere he could make money, always thinking of his next step. And I began to apply that to my music and my brand- asking myself, how can I make this profitable? How can I get on the scene? We would hit up multiple cities in a weekend sometimes. Go out downtown and pass out tapes or freestyle for people. That whip was a life saver, and with Milky’s help, I got in front of alot of people and platforms I wouldn’t have even known about. Then I joined LNEM, and got the sense of a family business. We had an unbeatable team, where everybody had a role, everybody’s sharing goals and mentality. It was an electric energy to be around. We all ended up getting a big apartment together and that was headquarters: recording, photoshoots, engineering, music videos and ridiculous parties. The comradery that grew amongst us, Dylan, Jay, Purp, MaRx, Dawesome, Cosby, Jordan & I, taught me a lot about when to lead and when to follow, and helped develop my creative process greatly. Lastly, I have to shout out my Grooves! TNG has been all about fundamentals for me. Learning keys, chords and instruments, developing my voice, and studying stage presence and the great entertainers of the past. Stuff that is all still crucial and relevant to today’s sound and style, and its being brought out of me the most by DJ Ologi & Rravii, musicians who were raised in band and studied music most of their lives. They’ve guided me a lot in my journey already and hopefully I’ve been able to the same for them. I really appreciate everyone who’s helped me get here. And we’re still going!!

Website: KeepitSwain.com

Instagram: @KeepitSwain

Twitter: @KeepitSwain

Facebook: @KeepitSwain

Youtube: @KeepitSwain

Image Credits
Christian Grier