Move over, there’s a new Asian hip-hop artist in town. All the way from Seattle, Swang has the same confidence level as Drake, with hopes to be the biggest Asian artist to ever do it. The “Tryin’” rapper views his hometown as a place that didn’t have the resources or platform to help aspiring artists obtain their dreams, which is every reason why he plans to take things to the next level. Read more…

Walking into the building in designer from head to toe, it’s clear Swang isn’t playing any games. His lyrics are real life experiences him and his friends encounter on the daily. He even states he’s casually releasing his worst material next, so that we can finally get to the good stuff. Most recently, he unleashed a loosie called “Lost It,” on SoundCloud only.

For those who don’t know, who is Swang?
My name’s Swang. I’m an alternative artist. I can do a little bit of everything. I was actually adopted when I was 8. Started making music since I was 15. I like nice things. I’m not doing music for the money, I do music because I’m passionate. A lot of people thought I was a joke in high school when I started making music. Because you’re the Asian kid, you’re making music? Your parents don’t believe you. Where I’m from is actually the North end of Seattle, so there’s not a lot of music culture out there. I started recording music in a basement for a while. Now, we’re getting to a point where things are starting to look up. I definitely believe I’m one of the best Asian hip-hop artists out here right now.

I feel like there’s not a lot.
There’s not a lot, but I have to pay respect to the few Asian rappers I like. Like Jay Park, I was just backstage with him in Seattle. Also $tupid Young, he’s a good rapper. He doesn’t do the music I do, I’m more of an R&B artist.

Who were your biggest influences growing up?
Influences, I started listening to Future, Lil Durk, Young Thug, etc. Honestly all my free time, I listen to my own music. Because I want my music to be me, I don’t want nobody to influence me in that way. I’m not trying to copy nobody. I want to be me. If people like it, people like it. If people don’t like it, then they don’t like it. It is what it is.

How important is it to come to LA as an up and coming artist?
It’s going to be a big step, definitely. I want to get my Asian crowd to rock with me. The music I’m making… my friends brag. I make different types of music, whether it’s trap music. I just did a feature with Asian Doll. Reo Cragun did a song with me yesterday. Casey Veggies is going to do a song with me.

How’d you link with Casey Veggies?
Through my manager. I sent a song to him, I thought it was a joke. They played it in the car and Casey Veggies put it on his IG story. I’m like “wow!” Ever since I was 15, that was just a hobby — but it was a dream as well. Now things started happening. I’m finally able to put myself on a platform. I have the right people to help me.

At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?
I always believed it was for real because I always believed in my potential. I personally think I can reach out tens of thousands as an Asian rapper. But when things really started happening was when I started hanging out with my manager. He really believes in me. That’s when I quit school. I had to have a conversation with my parents: “we’re doing this. This is my dream, I’ma chase after it. I’m 22, I’ma go for it.”

What were you doing before the music?
Not much, I was just trying to invest in a whole bunch of stuff. I mostly partied. I started making music in high school, we’re in the studio every day. We had a shed in our backyard we locked ourselves in for two or three days. I was adopted so growing up, I had nobody to talk to. My adoptive parents weren’t caring, so I use music as a way of letting things out.

Being Chinese and Korean, do you feel the minority in the music industry?
Nah, it’s an advantage for me in the hip-hop industry. Jay Park does K-pop and rap, but it’s not that type of music. No disrespect, I love Jay Park. He’s my homie. But that’s not something the hip hop community would listen to. I’m more trying to approach that: the trap music, the autotune, etc. But at the same time, I want to keep soft songs. I want to have some R&B music, pop music.

What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Don’t stop. Keep going. Just believe in yourself. Really from the basement, I never thought that I’ll be here today. I’m not out there yet, but I guarantee you that people are going to see me out there soon.

Who’s in your Top 5?
That’s a tough one. Roddy Ricch, Lil Durk. I can’t really put together a Top 5, there’s different genres. I’ll put Future, J Cole, Kendrick, Travis Scott, Lil Keed, those types of rappers. Actually, I like the Weeknd too. If you get a chance to hear the music I’m dropping later, it’s totally different genres.

How important is social media for your career?
Social media is the most important part. Nowadays, it’s like that. It’s a good thing though, social media is what really brought me to where I am. Without social media, people would not acknowledge me at all.

How did you build your own following?
I moved from my hometown, which is a small town. I moved to Seattle, started working with a lot of Lil Mosey’s people. I made a lot of music, but I haven’t dropped a lot of music. The stuff I’ve put out right now and even the upcoming album, is going to be the worst things you’re going to hear from me. I’ma put it that way, that’s my promotion. By April or May, you’ll hear some music from me that’s going to blow your mind.

What’s a normal day in the life? Walk us through.
A normal day in the life: wake up at 4pm. Go get Starbucks, then I go engineer people. Because all the songs I do, I sound engineer myself. I go to sleep at 7am, I be in the studio. I’m going to the studio tonight. Name another Asian hip-hop artist who can do autotune? The next album’s going to be super fire. I’d love to meet Rich Brian, but I truly believe in my heart believe that. I’m Top 2.

3 things you need in the studio?
A blunt, water just to hydrate, then my people. That’s it.

Best encounter you had with a fan?
Actually I’ve done a Tik Tok challenge. They really like my songs, so I did a lot of Tik Tok videos. I’ll reward money, that’s what I do. I’m not really out there yet because I haven’t put out music. I haven’t put out projects. I have two features coming out with Reo Cragun, Casey Veggies, and Asian Doll. Hopefully Lil Mosey soon. All though sounds together are going to be fire.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’ll never sell my soul by the way. From what I’m seeing right now, I believe that in 10 years I’ll still be in the music industry. It’s going to go worldwide. 88Rising, I looked at their artists. They really need to pay attention to me. That’s something you should document, they need artists like me. They just don’t know.