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Sway (British musician)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Escaper7 (talk | contribs) at 12:39, 15 January 2007 (→Latest Albums: Wikipedia is not a crtystal ball, rem promo link to MySpace). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the American rapper and MTV news personality, see Sway Calloway.

For other uses of "Sway", see Sway (disambiguation).
Sway

Derek Andrew Safo is an English hip hop rapper born in 1982 in Hornsey, North London, of Ghanaian origins, who uses the stage names Sway DaSafo or simply Sway; he is also a full-time producer.

Early career

Sway began his career by making beats for rappers, before writing rhymes himself and rapping on London's underground hip hop scene in MC battles. Sway produces his beats and songs alongside his long-time friends Pyrelli and Bigz from Dcypha Productions his current independent label.

Using computer programs and home recording equipment, he was able set up his own record label and distribute his CD mix tapes through independent record shops. In doing so, he received airplay on the capital's pirate radio stations before being playlisted by BBC digital black music station 1Xtra three years ago. Sway is still unsigned, stating that he chooses to be this way until he finds the right record company for him.

Sway has released two independent mixtapes, called This Is My Promo Vol.1 & This Is My Promo Vol.2 which were underground successes, and his first published debut album 'This Is My Demo' on Monday 6th February 2006, where the first single "Little Derek" headed in at 38 on the UK national charts. Remixes are also available with Baby Blue.

In February 2006, Sway appeared on Channel 4 News, where he was asked to comment on a statement that British Black Music was on the decline.

Sway was the main support act for The Streets' UK tour, which began in Manchester on April 27, 2006, and ended in Leeds on May 12, 2006. He has also been performing solo around Europe to promote This is My Demo. He created a song in 2005 dedicated to his profile on MySpace. He also appeared on The Mitchell Brothers' popular single Harvey Nicks alongside Mike Skinner.

On the Channel 4 late night music show T-Mobile Transmission, Sway revealed to Arsenal fan and fellow rapper Plan B that his cousin is former Arsenal player Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

Awards

His reputation rose from underground to mainstream after coming into the public eye by winning a MOBO award in September 2005 for Best Hip Hop Act. Sway defeated heavyweight Hip-Hop artists 50 Cent and The Game to collect the award.

He has also been nominated for the second year running in the best hip-hop category for the MOBO awards to be held at the end of September 2006. [1]

In July 2006, Sway's album 'This Is My Demo' was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize but the award was won by the Arctic Monkeys at the ceremony on 6 September [2]

In November 2006, Sway won a BET Hip-Hop Award for "Best UK Hip-Hop Act" beating the likes of Blak Twang, Plan B, Dizzee Rascal and Kano.

By being nominated and winning the BET for "BEST UK Hip-Hop Act", Sway was seen by millions across America in a video showing Sway,Saigon, Remy-Maand Rhymefest freestyling on a roof in New York, this freestyle can also be heared on DJ KaySlay mixtape 'Drama Season Begins Now'

Latest albums

Sway has announced he has been working on a new EP called "Not Another Flipping Rap EP" which is scheduled to be released on February 26 2007. The album is thought to include collaborations with U.S artists such as Akon, Chamillionaire, Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell. [citation needed] Premiered on BBC 1 XTRA, Dj Semtex played a remix of Up Your Speed featuring Chamillionaire. Sway has also announced a joint mixtape with US rapper Small World ("straight out of Ludacris's DTP Camp") called "Global Warming". It is currently scheduled to be released on February 19.

Discography

Singles

  • "Up Your Speed" feat. Pyrelli /also on the single "Flo' Fashion" (2005)
  • "Little Derek" feat. Baby Blue /also on the single "Download" (2006) #38 UK
  • "Products" feat. El Rae /also on the single "Baby Father" (2006) #93 UK

Mixtapes

Videos

  • "Flo' Fashion" /on "Channel U" and "MTV Base" for promotion (2005)
  • "Up Your Speed" (2005)
  • "Download" /on website to discourage the downloading of music (2005)
  • "Little Derek" (2006)
  • "Products" (2006)
  • "This Is My Demo" (2006)

Albums

Appearances

  • Get 'em High - Stanton Warriors.
  • Harvey Nicks - The Mitchell Brothers ft. The Streets and Sway.
  • Ridin' (UK remix) - Chamillionaire ft. Sway.
  • Hustle - Jamelia featuring Sway
  • We Love You - Lupe Fiasco Ft. Sway
  • LDN - Lily Allen Ft. Sway
  • Chatterbox - Dj Yoda Ft. Sway
  • So Unbelievable - Craig David Feat. Sway
  • Call My Name - Wonder Feat. Sway
  • Cor Blimey Remix - Bigz Feat. Sway & Mayhem
  • Whoopsie Daisy Rmx - Terri Walker Feat. Sway
  • Stand Still - DJ Shux Feat. Sway
  • Ina NME - DJ Caramac Feat. Sway
  • Caught Up - Usher Feat. Sway
  • Stand Still - DJ Godson Feat. Sway
  • Cowboy Film (Remix) - Taz Feat. Sway, Bigz & Sharky Major
  • Sorry - Madness Feat. Sway & Baby Blue

References

  1. ^ BBC News Wesbite, MOBO nominations
  2. ^ BBC News website Wed 6 Sep, 2006: Mercury shocks by honouring favourites
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