Sway (British musician)
- For the American rapper and MTV news personality, see Sway Calloway.
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Derek Andrew Safo is a British 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. His song "Hype Boys" is in Need For Speed: Carbon.
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 has recently been signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik label
Sway has released two independent mixtapes, called This Is My Promo Volumes 1 and 2. They were underground successes, and his debut LP This Is My Demo was released on February 6, 2006. Its second single, "Little Derek", headed in at #38 on the UK national charts. Remixes are also available featuring Baby Blue.
In February 2006, Sway appeared on Channel 4 News, where he was asked to comment on the question of whether Black British 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 The Streets' 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. He also likes to say a quick shout to 'Vexi'.
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 was also nominated for the second year running in the best hip-hop category for the MOBO awards 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 September 6. [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 himself in a cipher with Saigon, Remy Ma, and Rhymefest freestyling on a rooftop in New York. This freestyle can also be heard on DJ Kay Slay's mixtape Drama Season Begins Now.
Latest albums
Sway recently released his EP "One For The Journey" in which he states it is not his second album with the rumoured title to his second album being "The Signature LP". Sway has also announced a joint mixtape with US rapper Small World (of Ludacris' DTP camp) called Global Warming. It was scheduled to be released on 12th March 2007, however it never was.
Sway also collaborated with veteran Ska band Madness on a version of their latest single 'Sorry' released in March 2007 entering the charts at #23.
Mr Hudson's new singe "Ask The DJ" also features a remix with Sway.
Sway has recently done a remix of Dizzee Rascal's tune "Old Skool" and at the end of it says "The Signature LP, out 2008".
Sway is currently recording an album that is being produced by Imran hs producer, he will make an appearance at the MOBO's this year
Discography
Full discography: Sway DaSafo Discography
Albums
- Sway - This Is My Demo (2006)
EP
- Sway - One For The Journey (2007)
Singles
Full Singles
- "Up Your Speed" (Remix) (featuring Bigz, Bruza, Pyrelli, Skinnyman & Triple Threat (2005)
- "Little Derek" (featuring Baby Blue (2006) UK #38
- "Products" (featuring El Rae) (2006)
- "This is my demo" (2006)
Promo Singles
Collaborations
- One - "Bang"/"Keep On Searchin'"
- DJ Yoda - "Chatterbox"
- DJ Caramac - "Simple 'N Plain" (Feat. Sway) (2003)
- The Last Skeptik - "Wordsearch" (Feat. Squared)/Prior To The Present (Feat. Sway) (2004)
- The Mitchell Brothers - "Harvey Nicks" (Feat. Sway) (2005)
- Stanton Warriors - "Get Em High" (Feat. Sway) (2006)
- Mr Hudson vs Sway - "Ask The DJ Remix"
- LJ-Londons Junior- "The Rap Supreme"- in process-one day- [1]
Mixtapes
- Sway - This Is My Promo Vol. 1 (2004)
- Sway - This Is My Promo Vol. 2 (2005)
- Sway - The Future? (2005)
- Sway - This Is My Promo Vol. 1 & 2 (This Is Not My Album) (2005)
- Sway & Lovedough - This Is My Rave (2006)
- Sway & Small World - Global Warming (2007)