Superstarswish: The Memphis Rapper Who's Ready to Blow Up

By Zachary Corsa

SUPERSTARSWISH is confident, ambitious, and driven. For a hustling young rapper in the venerable Memphis hip-hop game, there’s no other way to be if you hope to leave your mark and join the ranks of the Bluff City legends that preceded you. But in a scene teeming with hopefuls and might-be’s, SWISH matches his dedication and big dreams with a refined and intoxicating flow that speaks to all of the streets and corners that gave birth to the gods and ghosts of Memphis rap history, backed with eerie beats that seem carved from post-mortem specters of dusty crate-dug vinyl. Check out his freshly-dropped full length, The Most Hated Player, to hear for yourself what the future of Memphis sounds like, and read on below for insights from the man himself on that very subject.

First and foremost, I wanted to ask you about Memphis and the city’s impact on you personally. How does being a Memphis rapper inspire you and influence what you do?

Honestly I love my city! Memphis is the reason I’m even passionate about music. Being a Memphis rapper inspires me to do good because of how much negativity there is at times. So much beef and division made me want to stand out in the crowd and stand on my own two as a force for positivity.

Do you think there’s significant differences between the rap game in Memphis vs. other cities? If so, what are some of the differences that stand out to you?

I feel like at times that other cities show their artists more love before they blow up. If you’re not an artist that makes trap music or drill it’s hard to get on here. Thats why it’s so important that I create my music the way I have been doing. Being that it is a bit harder to pop, you have to be the outlier in the field, you have to be HIM. You have to stand out, not in a goofy or comical way, but in a way that shows your longevity as an artist and your versatility; Thats why I’ll be the one that takes off.

Coming up in Memphis, were your hip-hop inspirations mostly Memphians, or was there influence from outside the city, as well?

My biggest musical influences are Ye’ & Drake. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is my favorite album of all time and I haven’t been the same since If You’re Reading This its Too Late. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Memphis GOATs like Project Pat and Three Six Mafia. But my favorite rapper from Memphis is Co Cash.

What’s something you think people in other parts of the country misunderstand about Memphis? What’s something you wish more people realized about life here?

People don’t understand how creative we are here. They don’t understand how much of today’s music and lingo comes from Memphis. 9 times out of 10 we set the trends. It’s not as violent as people think. If you’re staying out the way and minding your own business, you’re going to be fine. There is so much love and positivity that so many people, even the ones that do live here, don’t see.

Speaking more personally, what’s something you think makes you stand out as a rapper, both in terms of the Memphis rap game and in general? What can people expect to find on your new album that might surprise them?

I stand out in Memphis’ rap game because I’m the most versatile and unique artist there is in this city and I stamp that! In a city where everyone is trying to be like someone else, I’m the kid who showed up and created his own sound. Turned people who used to not care whether I was around or not into believers. Using multiple instruments in my music and not just trap drums and 808s to carry me, I can actually rap. I never pretended to be something I was not to appeal to people who do not care about me. I’m still the same nerdy kid who loved Kanye and listened to Tyler, the Creator in the back of the class. I’m a student of the game first and foremost and that makes me stand out in the big leagues too. Soon the whole world WILL know who Swish is.

Memphis has a rich musical legacy that spans a number of genres. I noticed that your album features several guest features from artists both within and outside of hip-hop. Tell me a bit about those collaborations.

Honestly there is! My album The Most Hated Player, features artists with different sounds and diverse backgrounds. Son.Person is a POPSTAR, you wouldn’t think we’d make music together, yet he shines on this project like a diamond in the rough. Ricky Davaine is a multi-talented artist and Dyare is a Kurdish rapper who had the most insane flows on my project. Not to mention Lildezzyx, a talented producer and singer, plus D. Alexander provided most of the vocals for the album. Then you got my guy Young Goudie who was able to change his sound and go back and forth with me on one of my favorite songs from the project. This type of collaboration doesn’t happen much because of the lack of communication between genres, but rest assured Swish is here to change all of that.

Memphis and Memphis hip-hop are still reeling from the tragic murder of Young Dolph back in November. What do you think has changed in response to that situation, both in Memphis hip-hop and the city itself?

Honestly I don’t know too much about that situation. I mean Young Dolph is a Memphis legend. Dolph’s influence extends beyond Memphis, so I understand why people are saddened. That makes it so much more important to try and bridge gaps when there is division instead of beefing– try to embrace each other instead of letting things go on for such time. If you can squash it do it and if not be safe and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

Despite its considerable hip-hop legacy, do you think Memphis rap is still underrated?

I say extremely underrated. The pioneers don’t get as much credit as they deserve. Gotti doesn’t even get the credit he deserves for making CMG such a powerful label and putting all these young artists on. Not to mention other legends like La Chat, Gangsta Boo, Skinny Pimp, Frayser Boy, and there’s so many more. Project Pat has been sampled so many times in other rappers music and the people don’t even see it like we do. I feel like we have not received our flowers and we need them expeditiously.

How would you personally like to see the city’s hip-hop game grow, and possibly improve?

Just be more open to change in a more positive way. Young kids all want to push the violence narrative, selling drugs, and overall just negative behavior. I personally know over 20 artists that are making great unique music that doesn’t push this narrative about Memphis that need to heard. So if the people in the city would be willing to open their ears and be more receiving of this new wave of soulful young talent, it’d shape the culture in a way that can dispel a lot of the trouble in the city.