IN CONVERSATION WITH SWAE LEE
interview by SAMO ŠAJN
Swae Lee has spent the last decade shaping the sound of modern hip-hop and melodic pop, building a catalog of era-defining hits long before officially releasing a true solo debut album. As one half of the groundbreaking duo Rae Sremmurd alongside his brother Slim Jxmmi, Swae helped redefine rap’s relationship with melody, genre fusion, and global pop crossover through projects like SR3MM and songs that became cultural landmarks. Beyond his own discography, his influence stretches across some of the biggest records of the last decade — from Sunflower becoming the first song ever certified double Diamond by the RIAA, to his contributions on Unforgettable, Formation, and Sicko Mode. Now, with his long-awaited debut solo album SAME DIFFERENCE, Swae Lee fully steps into his own universe — blending rap, pop, melody, reggae influences, and emotional experimentation into a project that reflects both his versatility and the restless creative energy that has made him one of music’s most distinctive artists.
full look TOMMY HILFIGER
watch OMEGA
You’ve already had a huge impact through Rae Sremmurd and all these massive collaborations, so what made now feel like the right moment to finally release a true solo album?
I just love where everything is right now, and the fact that I'm here with no solo album still blows my mind. So I just wanted to give the people a treat, just like from me to you. I just wanted to bless them, and they bless me so crazy. I just want to bless them as much as I can.
The title SAME DIFFERENCE is really interesting because the album sounds so varied. What connects all those different styles back to you as an artist?
Just me being me. I'll make a pop song one day. I make a trap song the next day. I make an Afro song the next day, f*ck around and do a country song. I'm just doing all this stuff. Same guy, different vibe.
You talk about your “Gemini mode” almost like entering a different creative state. How do you know when you’ve tapped into that version of yourself in the studio?
When I just shock myself, and when I hear the song like it's somebody else's song. I'm just thinking, "Damn, why did I even say that? Where's my brain at sometimes?"
glasses FAITH BY LUIS
top and bottom MAISON MARGIELA
shoes SANDRO
watch HUBLOT
Swaecation already felt very personal to fans. In what ways does SAME DIFFERENCE show a different side of you compared to that project?
Swaecation wasn't really focused on me. It was a glimpse, and it was just a taste of what I do. SAME DIFFERENCE is a real introduction to myself, giving them different versions. They know a lot about me at this point. I just want to show them something else, maybe that they didn't know. Show them a different side.
You’ve made some of the biggest songs of the last decade, from "Sunflower" to "Unforgettable." Does having that level of success change the pressure you put on yourself creatively?
Nah, not really, because that's just my standard of music. That's my normal standard of music. So what I'm putting out is just what I agree with, so this is just what I know. This is what I think is quality music, and I'm definitely glad the world feels the same way.
full look KENZO
FLAMMABLE feels very high-energy and unpredictable. Did that track set the tone for the rest of the album while you were making it?
That track plays along with me just doing all the genres: turn-up, R&B, slow, pop. So that was just a good representation of me doing the turn-up sh*t and keeping it true to where I came from, which is the projects. I came from the culture. So that's me turning up, being loud, coming through, standing on tables, raging with the kids.
full look TOMMY HILFIGER
watch OMEGA
There are moments on the album that move between rap, pop, reggae-inspired sounds, and electro-funk. Do you approach songwriting differently depending on the genre, or is it all instinctive for you?
It just depends on what I'm doing that day. It all depends on how I'm feeling and what beats I'm listening to. I might play 30 beats and not even know how I'm feeling, but the beat is gonna tell me how I'm feeling. When it's the one that feels right, I'll get on it and make something out of it.
You’ve worked with artists like Post Malone, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, and Jhene Aiko. What have those collaborations taught you about your own artistry over the years?
Definitely that I have a signature sound and that my voice can go with anybody. Me featuring on anybody's song is gonna be a smash.
You said this album was “burning a hole” in you and that you had to stop everything to finish it. What was emotionally driving you during that period?
Just life and being focused. The job is never done for me. I'm always in grind mode. Even if I just won a Grammy, I'm still like, "Yo, let's get to the studio. Let's work." Because I know this sh*t is going for 80 years, so I gotta keep this sh*t going and going and going. So life and everything we've done so far just keeps me motivated.
top SAINT LAURENT
watch AUDEMARS PIGUET
After already achieving so much in music, you’ve said your work still isn’t done. What are the things you still want Swae Lee to accomplish from here?
Perform at the Super Bowl.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent SWAE LEE
photography ABI POLINSKY
styling GLORIA JOHNSON
hair OTTIS CAMPBELL
makeup KENYA DAVIS
videography JEFFREY SCHROEDER
video editing ABI POLINSKY
photography assistant BEKA MAGLAKELIDZE
styling assistants WILLIAM KADIMA and KAREEM OLALEYE
location SATSPACE and VELEM
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA
interview SAMO ŠAJN
