Ezekiel Georgewill, better known as Swayvee, is rewriting the rules of Afrobeats stardom. The Bariga-born artist has evolved from being a teenage rapper/trapper who participated in rap battles to making melodic tunes.
Swayvee’s journey began in Port Harcourt’s gritty creative scene. At a young age, he was spitting bars as an aspiring rapper in street cyphers, honing a style blending Burna Boy’s swagger, Wizkid’s melody, and Tory Lanez’s genre-fluid edge. Despite pursuing Computer Science at the University of Uyo, Swayvee still found his way to music, making it his career.
In 2016, Swsyvee finished runner-up at Nectar Studios’ competition, one of the defining moments, hinting at the hunger driving him. After gaining early traction, Swayvee signed with Etins Records in 2018. He also featured on label mate Yarden’s Wild, showcasing his versatility.
Swayvee’s discography is solid from Para (feat. Zhus Jdo), a drill-rap fusion that cemented his street credibility alongside DMS. This R&B trap-infused tune shows Swayvee’s range as he delivers effortlessly, leading up to his debut EP, Lost Files, in 2021, a 4-track project enriched with a blend of afrobeats and trap.
His breakout single, Us, is a slick fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop. It spread his name while also becoming a viral tune on social media and even going number #1 on Spotify Viral 50 (Nigeria & South Africa). As his soft vocals sing about spending time with his lover, it instantly becomes a soundtrack to moments for other lovers out there. Riding on the wave, he got a remix with South African star Young Stunna, adding his South African flavor to the tune.
Swayvee’s discography keeps expanding with tunes, including his contributions to many other artists’ projects and tracks, from his contribution on PressPlay’s Urban High album to Myles WRLD’s out-of-life remix to Yarden’s So Cold, and many other artists. One thing is sure: Swayvee always brings that undeniable vibe to whatever he touches.
As Swayvee grows, he embodies Nigeria’s next-gen sound that will elevate the music coming from Africa.
