Where are you located?
From Maryland located in North Carolina and Atlanta now.
How do you set yourself apart from other aspiring artists?
Set myself apart my learning all I can and constantly pushing myself to grow as an artist. I've used setbacks as stepping stones and done things I never tonight I would; like scratch and beat juggle on turntables and making beats and playing the piano while rapping all during my live show on stage.
Fans of which mainstream artists would enjoy your music?
Fans of a lot of different mainstream artists would enjoy my music. My style is versatile so it ranges from the underground styles like Talib Kweli to the innovative styles like Missy Elliot and sometimes evens the smooth type of Dwele, Raheem Devaughn vibe. I definitely don't think it's one genre when it comes to who would relate and become a fan of what my music brings to the table.
What happened that made you feel you were meant to pursue music?
What happened that made me pursue music was...I fell in love with the art of mixing things I wanted to express with rhythm and rhyming. There is so much to rapping as an art form and even more to the whole lifestyle and culture of Hip Hop. I'm addicted, I can't get enough.
What keeps you motivated to grind to build your music career?
The fans and support keep me motivated; along with my spirituality. I do this for more than just myself; the dream is bigger than me. But when I get feedback and people tell me I inspire or influence them its makes all the hard times and tests worth it.
What do you find essential to your personal hustle?
God is essential to my personal hustle. He is all I will never need and that's real.
What are your thoughts on being an Indie Artist?
My thoughts on indies artists...it's really no different from being a major artists. Way too many thoughts on this subject for this interview...hahaha. But being with a major isn't meant for everyone, sometimes the best success comes from staying independent..look at Mac Miller.
What do you like or dislike about UGU?
I love UGU...that's enough said.
What can fans expect during a performance from you?
During a performance from me you can expect to see some things you have probably never seen a female emcee do before...of course I mentioned some things earlier but I mean turntables, beats machines, crazy energy; just an all around dope show.
What obstacles have you faced and overcame in the music industry?
I have faced a lot of obstacles. Main one being every time I try to put a project out something happens in life that prevents me from doing so. For a whole this was very discouraging until I realized there's a reason for everything and started to see the bigger pictures...timing is everything and presentation is key.
What influences you to write your lyrics?
Life influences me to write. I write about my life...it's like my audio diary.
INTERVIEW WITH SWAYZE JONES