Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Born: Sonny John Moore
Active since: 2004
Some know him as: The vocalist of post-hardcore screamo/emo band, “From First To Last”.
Most know him as: The guy who made ‘dubstep’ a thing, for better or for worse. Wub Wub Wub.
Latest release: Does the song have dubstep in it, by an artist, that doesn’t normally have dubstep in their songs? Yeah… that’s Skrillex.
Did I mention he is associated with Dubstep? While not necessarily inventing the genre, (maybe he did), he most definitely gave it a face and a name. Some people dig it. It’s cool in limited doses. Feeling that bass blow through your underside in a wicked breakdown can be pretty sick.
Origin: Inglewood, CA
Born: Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown
Genre: Hip hop, Trap, Pop Rap
Active since: 2008
Latest Release: “Swaecation”
Known For: Honey sweet hooks and vocal melodies with a professional flow that can spit bars that melt down like liquid gold.
Not Known For: Picking good album titles.
One thing I’ve always admired about the hip-hop scene in general, is how willing the artists are to pull each other up. The number of collaborations, guest drops, “Song Whatever ft. Someone else” often highlights a scene that knows how to cross-promote. Being a rock and roll native, there is an inherent ego/competition that dominates the genre and local scenes. The circles that Swae Lee move in result in an ever-evolving musical resume. Looking at the names Swae Lee has managed to work with in his relatively short career is a clear study in how collaboration leads to success. He has appeared on tracks with: Future, The Weekend, Wiz Khalifa, Ellie Goulding, Diplo, Lil Pump, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, & Drake.
And most recently, had a song with Post Malone called, “Sunflower” that appeared in the movie, “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse“.
But it’s his track with Skrillex that brings us together today my friends.
Notice: This song doesn’t sound like ‘normal’ Skrillex, nor… does this song sound like ‘normal’ Swae Lee.
It has a catchy pumping rhythm thrown down by Skrillex that Swae Lee drapes his velvet presence across (only to have it occasionally torn apart by some – unnecessary – throat scraping bleats by ‘Siickbrain’). The acoustic guitar breaks are a pleasant surprise… “Too Bizarre”.
Who the fuck put you in charge? (In charge, charge)
Was it love that made you go so hard? (Go hard)
You’ve been good to me so far (So far)
Pull the Old School out, Mom’s garage (Mom’s garage)
I can see you tomorrow (Tomorrow)
I can see you on and on (And on)
I’ve been drinkin’ all morning long
And I’m the one that you should dodge, hey (One to dodge)
Should we just call it off?
You were shinin’, I saw you from afar (Far)
Might as well say that you’re mad at the world
Since you’re sayin’ that it’s everyone’s fault
This is too bizarre (Bizarre)
But I like things how they are (They are)
Yeah, this is too bizarre (Bizarre)
But I love things how they are (They are)
My mega superstar (Star)
Baby, we don’t have to talk (To talk)
Ooh, ah, ’cause you’re driftin’ off
Yeah, you just keep driftin’ off
(Guess what?)
Wreck shop, no, you ain’t nobody’s bitch
Pull up in that Benz, now I’m ’bout to handle business
Got me killin’ shit, yeah, can I get a witness?
Yeah, we ’bout to flex on these hoes, call it fitness (Yeah)
This is too bizarre (Bizarre)
But I like things how they are (How they are)
Yeah, this is too bizarre (Bizarre)
But I love things how they are (How they are)
My mega superstar (Ooh)
Baby, we don’t have to talk (We don’t have to talk)
Ooh, ah, ’cause you’re driftin’ off
Yeah, you just keep driftin’ off
Never be the same once I catch flame (Flame)
Hater tried to play me like a lame (Lame)
Real, we just came to rampage
I just wanna break the stage (Stage)
Everyone go insane (Go)
Everybody go insane (‘Sane)
Rockstar hall of fame (Fame)
Now they’re gonna know your name
(Guess what?)
Break up, make up, make love
Turn it up (And you’re losing your temper), turn it up
Fuck up all my makeup
Fuck it up (And you’re losing your temper), fuck it up
