sway Archives

Damian Lillard Goes Back In The Paint With Another Driving Sway Freestyle (Video)

In early 2015, Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard appeared on Sway In The Morning. The Oakland, California native proved there was more to him than a mean court-game, as he positioned himself as the best MC in the NBA. With a sick freestyle, the artist known as Dame D.O.L.L.A. began... Read more

November 22, 2016 Video

RZA Explains Why Wu-Tang Clan’s Next Album Is Ghostface Killah’s Responsibility (Video)

In June, Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah revealed that if the legendary Hip-Hop crew is to release another album, he will be at the helm. “RZA put the ball in my hand. He said ‘Yo, I want you to do it,’ and I been wanting to do it, and that’s a... Read more

November 9, 2016 Video

Mickey Factz Kicks A Verse Sway Puts In The Top 10 Ever On His Show (Video)

It's been a long journey for Mickey Factz. In the late aughts, his buzz was deafening, as he was heralded by digital publications, named a 2009 XXL Freshman and signed to a major record company poised to drop an album. Unfortunately, due to label politics, things stalled and he would... Read more

October 31, 2016 Video

President Obama Gives His Current Top 5 MCs As He Prepares To Leave Office (Audio)

When President Barack Obama took office in 2008, Hip-Hop was in a widely different place. That was the year that Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III sold more than a million copies in its first week available. That year, T.I. made one of his loudest statements in Paper Trail, before going... Read more

October 28, 2016 Audio, Fresh

“Atlanta”’s Paper Boi Just May Be Even Cooler In Real Life (Video)

The accolades for Donald Glover's FX series Atlanta keep piling up. Not only is he being heralded as the series creator, one of its writers, and its lead star, but Glover is making television history across the board with the new show, which focuses on the come-up of a rapper... Read more

October 20, 2016 Video

Mick Jenkins Gets In The Zone On A Freestyle That Leaves Sway Speechless (Video)

It's been less than a month since Chicago, Illinois MC Mick Jenkins dropped his debut studio LP, The Healing Component. Longtime fans of his have been rocking with him since at least 2o12, when he dropped Mickstape and, in the years since, his fanbase has been able to celebrate his... Read more

October 17, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Details Being Moved To Tears For His BET Performance (Video)

Last week, Big K.R.I.T. seemingly delivered the musical performance of his career to date. During the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Mississippi MC/producer performed a remix to Kenneth Whalum's "Might Not Be OK" dressed as an officer of the law. In addition to the highly evocative lyrics, Krizzle's delivery... Read more

October 13, 2016 Video

Cold 187um Claims He Created G-Funk & Got Snoop Signed To Death Row (Video)

Last week, Above The Law's Cold 187um released his single "Legacy" featuring Ice Cube and The D.O.C. Premiering at Ambrosia For Heads, the track marked a full-circle reunion with the Pomona, California production and rapping icon with two of his former Ruthless Records label mates. Having just released his The... Read more

October 11, 2016 Video

Ed Gordon Recalls Building Closeness With Tupac After Questioning His “Thug” Life (Video)

Tomorrow (September 13), veteran broadcast journalist Ed Gordon will launch his new, self-titled series for Bounce TV. Throughout the last 30 years, the Detroit, Michigan native has been a pillar of news and information, as a longtime host and correspondent on BET, plus contributor to "60 Minutes," "Today," and other... Read more

September 12, 2016 Video

Daylyt Usually Rhymes A Cappella But He Wrecks 5 Beats With This Freestyle (Video)

Last week, Watts, California MC Daylyt gave a wildly compelling interview on Sway In The Morning. There, the highly prominent, often controversial battle rapper spoke about the violence in his city, why his peers have two options in the industry, and his unique relationships with Eminem and Drake. While at... Read more

September 7, 2016 Video

Daylyt Explains His Face Tattoo & Its Much Deeper Than You Think (Video)

In recent years, the interest driving the sport of Battle Rap rivals that of mainstream Hip-Hop. While there are no album sales to track, and less resources to hype a career (the daily stream of songs and videos), Hip-Hop superstars (Eminem, Drake) are showing that they personally are excited by... Read more

September 6, 2016 Video

Taylor Bennett Smashes The First EVER 10 Fingers Of Death (Video)

There's more than one talented rapper in the Bennett family. While the world has been wowed by the gifts of Chance The Rapper for the last several years, his brother, Taylor, is making quite a name for himself. Fast. Many first caught wind of Taylor in 2014, when he went... Read more

July 29, 2016 Video

Snow Tha Product Is Tired of Waiting for People to Wake Up (Video)

Mexican-American MC Snow Tha Product is no stranger to discrimination. As both a woman and a Latina in Hip-Hop, she's faced her fair share of dismissive remarks, but those who are actually listening know what's really good. The San Jose, California native has made a name for herself for using... Read more

July 14, 2016 Video

Vic Mensa’s Freestyle Causes Sway To Destroy His Studio (Video)

For MCs looking to demonstrate their extemporaneous flow skills, there are few platforms as significant as Sway's "5 Fingers of Death." Much like the clout earned in the "Unsigned Hype" column in the Source a generation ago, this freestyle challenge is, for many Heads, a way to check for who... Read more

June 15, 2016 Video

Kevin Hart Details How Dave Chappelle Humbled Him & Chris Rock With His Brilliance (Video)

When Kevin Hart and Sway get together, the conversation is always special. Their most recent conversation is no exception. There to promote his latest film, Central Intelligence, starring Duane "The Rock" Johnson, Hart was in rare form. As has often been the case, rather than use the platform to further... Read more

June 11, 2016 Video

De La Soul Say “Selling Out” In The ’80s Is Seen As “Extensive Branding” Today (Video)

De La Soul were guests on Sway In The Morning today (June 7). Joining Kaytranada, the Long Island, New York trio discussed their upcoming August 26 album, And The Anonymous Nobody, the genesis of the Native Tongues movement, and why De La Soul may have been pioneers of what it... Read more

June 7, 2016 Video

Mistah F.A.B. Slam Dunks His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Like A Warrior (Video)

Tonight (May 26), the Golden State Warriors aim to strike back against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 at home. The 9:00pm EST match-up prompted Bay area native Sway Calloway to bring some home-team turf talk into Sway In The Morning. Mistah F.A.B., who also has an album dropping... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Freeway & Scholito Freestyle On Sway In The Morning (Video)

Today (April 29), Freeway releases his fifth studio LP, Free Will (which is available for full stream). The North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC appeared on Sway In The Morning to celebrate the Babygrande Records release. With him, he brought his New Rothschilds protege, MC/producer Scholito. Freeway comes from the State Property... Read more

April 29, 2016 Video

D.L. Hughley Offends Everybody. No Politician, Athlete Or Doctor Is Safe (Video)

King of comedy D.L. Hughley recently visited Sway's Universe for an interview that played like a set from the celebrated stand-up. As great comedy is prone to do, topics that are often uncomfortable to talk about are brought right to the surface, where Hughley poked and prodded through astute observation... Read more

April 14, 2016 Video

On A Great Night For Cali, Planet Asia Is Another Agent Of State Pride (Video)

Planet Asia's career benefited greatly from Sway & King Tech's The Wake Up Show. When P.A. (along with Jurassic 5) were Interscope Records label picks from the West Coast Hip-Hop Underground, they got massive spots on 1999's This Or That, the hallmark album from Sway, Tech, and DJ Revolution. In... Read more

April 13, 2016 Video

Token Gets His Big Shot & Freestyles Like His Life Depends On It (Video)

On Friday (April 1), Salem, Massachusetts' Token was a guest on the Sway In The Morning Show. There was no fooling when the 17 year-old MC introduced himself with a few words about his 12 years of rhyming. At the 7:00 mark, the MC stands up and quite literally, delivers:... Read more

April 4, 2016 Video

Joey Bada$$ Makes The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Into A Fist & Puts It On Troy Ave (Video)

It has been a big month for Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop. After 2015 saw albums by Joey Bada$$ (B4.Da.$$) and Troy Ave (Major Without A Deal), the men began a social media back-and-forth regarding sales versus status that soon escalated. Last month (February 29), Troy brought the late Capital STEEZ... Read more

March 29, 2016 Video

Daddy-O Says “Rakim Told The Biggest Lie In Hip-Hop,” In An Unfiltered Interview (Video)

Professor Daddy-O is an MC/producer who has been actively working for 30 years. The front man for 1980s Brooklyn, New York pioneers Stetsasonic, Daddy-O would help introduce the world to Prince Paul (the group's DJ and one of its producers), as well as Mary J. Blige, Lil' Kim, and others.... Read more

March 10, 2016 Video

Kid ‘N Play Discuss Being Some Of The Earliest Innovators in Hip-Hop Fashion (Video)

From the beginning of their careers, Kid 'N Play have been trendsetters. They were among the first to craft Hip-Hop songs with big hooks, they were pioneers in Hip-Hop dance, and they led the way for Hip-Hop stars in Hollywood film, with their seminal House Party franchise. In addition to... Read more

March 2, 2016 Video

Kanye West Explains Why He Blew Up On Sway & Just How Deep The Question “HOW SWAY??” Was

Throughout the last dozen years, Kanye West lyrics have dealt a lot with wealth and finances. On The Life Of Pablo, "No More Parties In L.A." is a series of verses: "A 38-year-old eight-year-old with rich nigga problems / Tell my wife that I hate the Rolls so I don't... Read more

February 17, 2016 Food for Thought

Casual & Saafir Go From Legendary Battle Opponents To Key Collaborators (Audio Premiere)

Almost 22 years ago, Casual and Saafir went off the rails (and reels) in a 1994 Wake Up Show (Sway & King Tech) syndicated radio battle. At the time, Casual had just released his Jive Records debut, Fear Itself, which featured "the Saucee Nomad" on one particular track. Saafir, who had... Read more

February 16, 2016 Audio, Exclusive

Macklemore & Sway Have an Incredibly Deep & Important Conversation About White Supremacy (Video)

Since releasing "White Privilege II" on January 22, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have re-ignited a generations-old discussion about race that has become a maelstrom surrounding the notion of the White versus Black experience in the United States as it exists today. Against the current backdrop of affairs, the conversation is... Read more

January 26, 2016 Lifestyle

The Best Freestyles of 2015 Left Heads Spinning and Microphones Smoking (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than watching an MC get on the mic and spit a freestyle. The definition of the word "freestyle" has been fluid over the years. Originally, the term was used to denote any rhyme, written or off the top, that was not about... Read more

December 29, 2015 Video

Pusha T Interviews With Sway & Spits A Verse For MCs Who Act Like They Don’t Know (Video)

Last Thursday (December 17), Pusha T was a guest on Sway In The Morning. There, just hours before King Push: Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, the Clipse co-founder got really deep about his 2015 headspace. Before leaving, and after 40 minutes of nuggets, Push' spit a freestyle that was very... Read more

December 21, 2015 Video

Nick Grant Kicks One of The Best Verses Of The Year…Excluding NOBODY (Video)

Ever heard of Nick Grant? He recently went on the Sway In The Morning show and delivered one of the best verses of the year, hands down, with no qualifications. The South Carolina MC earned a 35+ minute interview with the OG Hip-Hop personality, after he smashed a cypher, that... Read more

November 24, 2015 Video

Redman Performs Mudface Songs For The 1st Time & Adds Some Classics (Video)

Redman recently promoted his Mudface album with an appearance on Sway's Universe. There, the Newark, New Jersey MC connected with Sway, Brick City homie Heather B, and Tracy G for some "very original" interview questions, and an in-studio performance that had the hosts rockin'. The segment begins with Redman breaking... Read more

November 16, 2015 Video

Puff Daddy Says New York Is Reclaiming Its Sound & Asserts He Is #1 Hip-Hop Producer (Video)

On his 46th birthday (November 4, 2015), Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs spent the early hours with Sway In The Morning. There, the Bad Boy Records founder and CEO spoke about his MMM (Money Making Mitch) release, which released online later that day (and is available for stream below). Additionally, the... Read more

November 10, 2015 Video

D12 Discuss Their History With Eminem, Battle Rap, Their New Mixtape & Freestyle (Video)

D12 is an appropriate guest for a Halloween week edition of Sway In The Morning. Swifty McVay, Bizarre, and Kuniva swung through the kick it with Sway Calloway and Heather B, for what is one of the Dirty Dozen's best interviews. In celebration of their upcoming Devil's Night Mixtape (October... Read more

October 29, 2015 Video

CyHi The Prynce’s Latest Jaw-Dropping Freestyle Mixes Punchlines & Substance (Video)

CyHi The Prynce is revered as one of the best freestyle MCs of the current class. The Atlanta, Georgia faction of G.O.O.D. Music swung through Sway's Universe in his hometown during A3C week. There, the MC who has previously been a star guest on Sway's platforms did it again. In... Read more

October 15, 2015 Video

Freestyle Aside, Eminem Dropped “Infinite” Jewels On Sway (Audio)

Last week, Eminem stormed the Sway In The Morning show, throwing Southpaw promotion, and delivering one T.K.O. of a freestyle. However, there was a whole hour of the diamond-certified-selling MC at Sway, and Heads may have missed the rare interview. What makes the interview especially notable is the superstar went... Read more

July 27, 2015 Audio

R. Kelly Is Not Afraid of 5 Fingers Of Death. Catch The Kellz Freestyle (Video)

R. Kelly is often said to improvise many of his hits. Sitting at the keyboard, the 25-year veteran freestyles those very melodies and choruses that have changed the sound of R&B, and presumably created a few lives too. Somebody who is not often in the media, Kellz swung through today's... Read more

July 16, 2015 Video

Meek Mill Pops A Wheelie & Rides Through His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Meek Mill may be an acquired taste to some. However, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran brings an impassioned delivery without failure, no matter what the track's vibe is. That's what makes the Maybach Music Group MC's appearance on Sway In The Morning so interesting. Meek Millie takes 5 Fingers Of Death... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Large Professor Names His Top 5 Producers & Details Rakim’s Recording Process (Video)

Large Professor recently released his new album titled Re: Living. He joined the Sway in the Morning show to discuss the album and his career, generally. The conversation between Extra P and Sway begins on the subject of P's new album. He explains that after touring, he returned to Queens... Read more

June 16, 2015 Video

When A$AP Rock Freestyles…Anything Goes. Witness an MC Who is Truly Fearless (Video)

A$AP Rocky is fearless. As sales of his just released AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP album will soon show, he is currently one of the most successful rappers in the game. That said, he is unafraid to freestyle, "off the top," say ANYTHING and have fun. Rocky joined the Sway in the Morning show,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Throwback

Ras Kass Salutes The O.G.’s Of Hip-Hop (Video)

Southern California veteran Ras Kass celebrates his 20-plus-year run in "So OG." As the West Coast Rap mainstay reminisces over a laid-back lavish beat, several critical figures of the 1990s Hip-Hop scene appear in the form of VHS footage. This gives the viewer the impression they are watching a Rap... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Scarface Names More Than 15 MCs Better Than Him. Do You Agree? (Video)

The legendary Scarface stopped by the Sway in the Morning show in promotion of the release of his new book, Diary of a Madman: The Geto Boys, Life, Death, and the Roots of Southern Rap. Given the multi-decade history between Face and Sway, the conversation had the promise of something... Read more

April 26, 2015 Video

Did You Know Erick Sermon Could Have Signed Biggie? The Green Eyed Bandit Speaks (Video)

2015 is shaping up to be a big year for Erick Sermon. The Green Eyed bandit has launched a new collection of Hip-Hop rugs called Def Rugs, and is releasing ESP, his first album since 2004's Chilltown, New York, in June. E Double sat down with Sway and covered a... Read more

April 23, 2015 Video

Ludacris Opens Up to Sway About His Most Personal Album Ever (Video)

On the eve of the release of his Ludaversal album, his first in four years, Ludacris sat down with Sway for an extended one on one conversation. Consistent with the tone of the album, Luda was extremely personal and unguarded during the interview. Notably, this was the first time Sway... Read more

March 30, 2015 Video

Charles Hamilton Gets Deep About His Struggles With Mental Illness and Reviving His Career (Video)

Earlier this week, Sway in the Morning released a 6+ minute Charles Hamilton freestyle that stands among the best of the year, so far. Prior to destroying the 5 Fingers of Death MC challenge with stellar off the top verses, Hamilton spoke with Sway for forty minutes in an incredibly... Read more

March 14, 2015 Video

Charles Hamilton Has Everything To Prove In A 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Five years ago, Charles Hamilton was seemingly on top of the world. The Harlem, New York MC who happens to be MC Lyte's cousin had inked a deal with the dominant Interscope Records. Hamilton was releasing spotlight-grabbing mixtapes at a breakneck speed. Along with peers Wale, B.o.B., and Asher Roth,... Read more

March 12, 2015 Video

Dame Dash Lets Sway Ask Him Anything & The Tables Seem To Turn (Video)

Whether he's running Roc-A-Fella Records, producing films, or pursuing fashion, publishing, and independent record labels like DD172 and BluRoc, Damon Dash is entertaining. One part Martin Scorsese character, one part Nikki Barnes, Dame's fast-talking, street-informed style has absolutely changed the face of the Hip-Hop culture over the last 20 years.... Read more

March 4, 2015 Video

Kid Rock Gives the Real Story on His Fight with Tommy Lee and Kicks a Verse (Video)

Few artists have been as successful and versatile as Kid Rock. The Detroit artist has excelled at Rock, Country, Bluegrass and more, but his roots are in Hip-Hop. Rock recently visited the Sway in the Morning show to promote his new album, First Kiss. They touched on the album, his... Read more

February 28, 2015 Video

Mike Epps & Sway Have an Incredibly Candid Conversation About Kevin Hart and the Comedy Game (Video)

Mike Epps dropped by the Sway in the Morning show to promote his new AOL Web Series, "That's Racist." The conversation starts off with a surprisingly serious and philosophical discussion about race relations in America. Shortly thereafter, Sway makes a passing comment about Kevin Hart and Mike opens up for... Read more

February 20, 2015 Video

The Blazers’ Damian Lillard is an All-Star on the Court & The Microphone. Watch Him RAP! (Video)

Basketball and Hip-Hop have always had a strong connection, and since it's NBA All-Star Weekend in New York City, the birthplace of Hip-Hop, what better time for a baller to showcase his MC skills? Two-time NBA All-Star and former Rookie Of The Year Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers... Read more

February 14, 2015 Video

Jarren Benton Sets 2015 Off With One Of The Better Freestyles You’re Gonna Hear (Video)

Funk Volume's pedigree for bigger than life lyricism is strong—especially on a label co-founded by Hopsin. One to watch though, is Georgia's Jarren Benton. A true Rap outcast/cool-guy hybrid, Jarren, in many ways, is a callback to early D12, R.A. The Rugged Man (who he's worked with), and Sticky Fingaz.... Read more

January 28, 2015 Video