Sway Calloway

Born Jonathan Ahmad Calloway in Oakland, California, Sway Calloway began his career as a local rapper and b-boy, performing in his hometown and gaining recognition for his talent. He partnered with DJ King Tech, and together they released independent albums, leading to a major label record deal with Giant Records. Their debut album, “Concrete Jungle,” was released in 1990. This early success in music laid the foundation for his extensive career in radio and television, demonstrating his innate ability to connect with audiences and identify promising talent.

Sway and King Tech co-hosted “The Wake Up Show” on KMEL, a radio program that gained significant popularity for its interviews with both established and emerging hip-hop artists. The show expanded its reach by simulcasting to Los Angeles and Chicago by the mid-1990s, providing early exposure for artists such as Eminem and Ras Kass. The duo’s success in radio led to another record deal with Interscope Records, resulting in the album “This or That,” which achieved commercial success, reaching #30 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #1 on the Top Heatseekers chart in 1999. During this period, Sway also hosted his own morning drive-time show, further solidifying his presence in radio.

In 2000, Sway joined MTV as a correspondent, becoming a regular fixture on shows like “Total Request Live” and “Direct Effect.” His role at MTV expanded to include executive producer duties, where he contributed new programming ideas and covered major events such as the MTV Video Music Awards and Grammy pre-shows. He has interviewed numerous political figures, including President Barack Obama four times, as part of MTV’s “Choose or Lose” and “Power of ’12” campaigns. Since 2011, Sway has hosted “Sway in the Morning” on Eminem’s Shade45 channel on SiriusXM, a popular weekday show known for its insightful interviews and entertainment. In 2020, Sway Calloway was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the industry.