Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, professionally known as Swae Lee, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who has made a significant impact on contemporary music with his distinctive voice and genre-blending style. Born in Inglewood, California, Swae Lee first garnered widespread recognition as one half of the hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd, alongside his brother Slim Jxmmi. Formed in 2010, Rae Sremmurd signed with Mike Will Made It’s EarDrummer Records in 2013, and their breakthrough came with hit singles such as “No Flex Zone,” “No Type,” and “Black Beatles,” the latter featuring Gucci Mane and topping the Billboard Hot 100.
Swae Lee’s versatility extends beyond his work with Rae Sremmurd. In 2017, he gained further acclaim as a solo artist with his guest appearance on French Montana’s “Unforgettable,” which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified diamond by the RIAA. His songwriting prowess was also recognized that year with a Grammy nomination for co-writing Beyoncé’s acclaimed single “Formation.”
The year 2018 was pivotal for Swae Lee’s solo career. He released “Swaecation,” his debut solo album as part of Rae Sremmurd’s triple album SR3MM. His collaboration with Post Malone on “Sunflower,” from the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became the highest-certified song in RIAA history with double diamond status. Swae Lee also achieved success with the single “Close to Me” featuring Ellie Goulding and Diplo, and his contribution to Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” both earning Grammy nominations.
In 2020, Swae Lee continued his streak of success with “Be Like That,” a collaboration with Kane Brown and Khalid, which peaked within the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received quadruple platinum certification by the RIAA. Known for his melodic hooks and diverse range, Swae Lee has collaborated with numerous artists including Madonna, Anitta, and French Montana. Praised for his vocal ability, he has been described as ‘the songbird of our generation’ and often views himself more as a singer than a rapper, reflecting his broad musical scope.
