Return of the Real: Swayze Jones Graduates to the Big Stage (Exclusive Interview)

I don’t sing. I don’t rhyme. I can’t produce tracks. I’m often the only non-rapper in a room. But I’ve always had an ear for good music and because of that, folks have respected my honest opinion. I don’t hold back. I’m also a fan of music. I actually remember when that meant something. RefinedHype has given me the opportunity to showcase a dope artist weekly, someone who is on the rise that has caught my ear and that you should definitely check out. This is "Return of The Real". Chea!

Listening to someone’s music you’ve never heard of requires an open mind.

My mind is wide open.

I listen to a lot of lesser-known independent artist on a daily basis. There’s something about finding that new music and giving it a chance to be heard. Truth be told, much of it deserves that chance too.

Discovering a new artist begins with hearing a single track. In Swayze Jones case that track was “Questioning Self”, a very personal cut off of her upcoming untitled project. While the beat is fresh, it was ultimately the content, word play and overall lyricism from the DC bred, Maryland raised emcee that caught my attention. I played the song five times back to back when it first hit my inbox. That one track led me on a journey to check out more of her music. I haven’t been disappointed.

There’s something about Swayze. Maybe it’s her passion.

“There is a passion that burns inside of me, a voice that is yearning to be heard,” Swayze said. “A message that needs to be delivered and I will not stop until it is.”

Or maybe it’s her musical influence.

“My biggest influence is Michael Jackson. He had a vision for this world,” she said. “He wanted to heal it, and so do I. His music gives people a feeling you can’t deny, and that is what I want to do.”

Swayze, who is preparing to graduate from A&T State University in May, has a very raw sound. With a few projects under her belt, and a few on the way, sky is the limit for the emcee who use to go by Lil Trife before soul searching led her to the name Swayze Jones.

“I took time off to focus on finding myself as an artist. I didn’t want to get trapped in what everyone else was doing,” she said. “I wanted to be different. I wanted to be me.”

And I’m glad she’s back and I dig what she’s doing. I’m looking forward to hearing more as she sets out to prove that musically she’s a force to be reckon with.

During our recent interview, we talked about graduation, her next steps, her upcoming projects and more. Check out the interview.



ThroatChop: So, I noticed that you call yourself "lyrical addict with no desire to get clean." What's that mean to you exactly?

Swayze: By that statement I mean that I am addicted to words. I love my art. I love what I do. I am addicted to lyrics, writing rhymes, making music and I don’t ever want to stop. It consumes me. The passion I have runs deep within me. As I said in one of my songs, "music is my drug, I only listen to the shit that’s dope / melodies and notes take me away up in the clouds I float / fiend for sick beats yea I'm addicted to it this I know / I might die up off a accidental overdose."

ThroatChop: Dope. Dope. Ok, so the first track I heard from you was "Questioning Self." It's a very introspection track. When did you write and record it? What was on your mind?

Swayze: I just recently wrote that track. It was actually April 3. I recorded it the same day because I have a studio at my house. I heard the beat, which is an instrumental from Kendrick Lamar. He had a concert at Greene St. that night and I was doing some research on him because I was going to be there. I had to work that night promoting the clothing line with Evan Chisholm (CEO of FamCoClothing). I stumbled upon that beat and instantly grabbed a pen and wrote. I was struggling at the time, with myself. I was questioning if I really have what it takes to live up to what everyone expects of me and sees for me in my future. The hook says "where are we going". In Kendrick Lamar's version he is talking to a girl. But when I heard the track with the hook I envisioned me talking to myself in the mirror asking that question.

ThroatChop: Like many independent artist, you have other things going on in life. For you it seems like the biggest thing is finishing up school this Spring. How did being a full-time student impact your music and how will your focus change once school is over?

Swayze: Yes school is very important. Education is key and keys open doors. School has helped me a lot. I am a business major and I plan to own my own label one day or maybe even some other type of music business. It was important for me to understand business and all aspects of it. However, all the hours I spent studying and things like that could have been put towards projects. It was hard for me to stay focused. I even thought about dropping out at one point because I was so wrapped up in the dream. I started college at the age of 16 so I came in very early. I am now 21 and have grown a lot. It is now that I see the importance of school and how it has prepared me for what I want to do with my career. Once May comes around and graduation is here I think my focus will stay the same. Music is my love. My life. My everything. So now I just have to build up that income and do what I need to do to be successful and make this dream come true.

ThroatChop: So, you're working on a few new projects. What are they and what's their completion status?

Swayze I’m working on my next solo project, which is currently untitled. I am also working on a project with Jones Andrews, which is also untitled. These projects have just begun but will be done hopefully in the near future. I always tell myself you can’t put a time on perfection, so I don’t want to rush them. The music I put out needs to be timeless and classic!

ThroatChop: Who's involved with the new stuff?

Swayze: My DJ, Jay Stylezs, is involved, and Jones Andrews. And there are plenty of features but I won’t name them until I make all the final cuts on the projects and choose the tracks.



ThroatChop: As an artist, what impact do you want to have on the people who listen to your music?

Swayze: It is tough to say what impact I have on others. But the feedback I get is that I am a breath of fresh air. I am a real female emcee. I help them see that Hip-Hop is not dead and that as a female you don’t have to sell yourself or sex to have a presence in a male dominated industry. They relate to me, I always keep it real and talk about real issues in my rhymes. I think they appreciate that. I've helped a lot of people get through a lot of things … and it feels amazing.

ThroatChop: I respect that. So, when you look back on your work five years from now, what would you have wanted to accomplish?

Swayze: I want my music to be known all around the world. Point blank! And of course a Grammy or two would be nice!

ThroatChop: (Laughs) I hear that. So, Swayze we've talked a lot about your music. What are you listening to on your iPod/MP3 player?

Swayze: Michael Jackson, Biggie, J. Cole, Nas, and Lupe right now. Real emcees. No bubble gum rappers.

ThroatChop: Last but not least, a question I ask everyone featured on Return of The Real, what's next for you?

Swayze: Stardom. Success. Happiness. I am on a mission and I plan to keep pursuing this dream. My aim is not to be famous, that is not why I do this. My aim is to give people real music and that is what is and will always be next for me!

For more from Swayze Jones, connect with her via Twitter and check out more music via his BandCamp.

For more from ThroatChopU, follow him on Twitter and check out TheMadBloggers.com.