Cisco Swank

Cisco Swank, born Francisco Haye in the lively tapestry of Brooklyn, has swiftly carved a niche within the city’s R&B, jazz, and hip-hop circles. With a familial lineage steeped in music—his mother a singer-songwriter and father a multi-instrumentalist—Cisco’s musical foundation was laid deep in the heart of his upbringing. This connection to music is palpable in his eclectic sound, drawing comparisons to luminaries like Stevie Wonder and Frank Ocean. His debut EP, “Pursuit Of,” released in 2020 just before his junior year at Berklee College of Music, reflects a creative maturation sparked by an introspective quarantine experience; a testament to his ambition amidst uncertainty.

Cisco’s compositions, as Ambrose Akinmusire notes, exude a pulse of Black music, capturing a rich discordance of jazz, hip-hop, and indie. He remembers the hours spent at clubs in Lower Manhattan, weaving melodies and rhythms, the thrill of live performances mixing with the solitude of creation. Yet, even amidst such accolades, the question lingers — what truly defines him as an artist? A performance at The Bitter End or a thoughtful beat shared with his collaborator Tobias Kelly?

He is only in his twenties, yet his grasp on the intricacies of music is reminiscent of veterans, coloring notes with feelings and colors rather than mere sound. It’s here that one senses his journey is just beginning, molding not only a unique soundscape but also exploring themes of home and purpose. In every lyric, there lies a search for something beyond the immediate—a pursuit, perhaps, not only of music but of the deeper truths of existence. While his influences range widely, from Robert Glasper to J Dilla, one can’t help but wonder how Cisco will continue to evolve.

As he forges ahead, the intersection of his passions and experiences invites others into a shared space of reflection. “What are we all trying to get to?” he asks. And as listeners tune in, this canvas of mixed genres draws them into the ambiguity of that answer. It remains to be seen—will he ultimately be the sound of a generation or a fleeting echo in the vast world of music?