Swae Lee

Swae Lee
Born	Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown 6/7/1993
Birthplace	Inglewood, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Rapper, singer
Known for	One half of Rae Sremmurd; "Sunflower" (with Post Malone); "Unforgettable" (with French Montana)

Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown (born June 7, 1993), known professionally as Swae Lee, is an American rapper and singer from Inglewood, California. Recognized for his wide-ranged, reverb-heavy vocals and genre-blending approach that spans hip hop, pop, and R&B, Lee rose to prominence as one half of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd alongside his older brother Slim Jxmmi. Since the duo's formation in 2010 and their subsequent signing to Mike Will Made It's EarDrummer Records, Lee has established himself as one of the most versatile and commercially successful artists of his generation. His collaborative single "Sunflower" with Post Malone, released for the soundtrack to the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), became the highest-certified song in Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) history, achieving double diamond (20× platinum) certification. As both a member of Rae Sremmurd and a solo artist, Lee has contributed to multiple number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, received Grammy Award nominations, and co-written material for artists including Beyoncé. His debut solo studio album, Swaecation, was released in 2018 as part of Rae Sremmurd's triple album SR3MM, and his second solo album, Same Difference, is scheduled for release on April 4, 2026.

Early Life

Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown was born on June 7, 1993, in Inglewood, California. He and his older brother Aaquil Iben Shamon Brown, later known as Slim Jxmmi, were raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, where the two brothers developed an interest in music from a young age. Growing up in Tupelo — the birthplace of Elvis Presley — the brothers were exposed to a variety of musical influences that would later shape their eclectic sound. The name "Rae Sremmurd" is "Ear Drummers" spelled backward, a reference to the record label that would eventually sign them.

Lee and his brother began making music together as teenagers in Mississippi, initially performing under different names before settling on Rae Sremmurd around 2010. The duo's energetic style and youthful exuberance caught the attention of producer Mike Will Made It, who would become instrumental in shaping their careers. The brothers relocated their ambitions toward Atlanta's music scene, where Mike Will Made It's EarDrummer Records was based, and the producer took the young duo under his wing.

The environment in which Lee grew up in Tupelo provided a contrast to the music industry hub of Atlanta, but the brothers' determination to pursue music professionally led them to make the transition. Their upbringing in Mississippi remained a significant part of their identity even as they gained national and international fame, with the duo frequently referencing their roots in interviews and in their music.

Career

Rae Sremmurd and Early Success (2013–2016)

In 2013, Rae Sremmurd signed with Mike Will Made It's EarDrummer Records, an imprint of Interscope Records, marking the beginning of their mainstream career. The duo quickly gained attention with their debut single "No Flex Zone," which became a viral hit and introduced their high-energy, party-driven sound to a wide audience. This was followed by "No Type," another commercially successful single that further established the duo's presence on the charts.

Rae Sremmurd's debut studio album, SremmLife, was released in 2015 and debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200. The album was supported by the singles "No Flex Zone" and "No Type," both of which received significant radio airplay and charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of SremmLife established Rae Sremmurd as one of the most commercially viable new acts in hip hop, and Lee's melodic vocal style was frequently highlighted as a distinguishing element of the duo's sound.

The duo's sophomore album, SremmLife 2, followed in 2016 and also debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200. The album's lead single, "Black Beatles," featuring Gucci Mane, became a cultural phenomenon, in part due to its association with the "Mannequin Challenge" viral trend that swept social media in late 2016. "Black Beatles" topped the Billboard Hot 100, giving both Lee and Slim Jxmmi their first number-one single. The song's success was recognized at the 2016 Soul Train Awards, where the duo received nominations.

During this period, Lee also appeared at the BET Awards, where Rae Sremmurd's rising profile was evident in their behind-the-scenes presence and performances at industry events. The duo also received recognition at the MTV Woodies Awards, further cementing their status as breakout stars.

Solo Breakthrough and Songwriting (2017)

By 2017, Lee had begun to establish a significant solo profile alongside his work with Rae Sremmurd. His guest appearance on French Montana's single "Unforgettable" became a defining moment in his career. The song peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, marking Lee's first top-ten hit as a solo artist. "Unforgettable" went on to receive diamond certification from the RIAA, a testament to the song's enduring popularity and commercial reach.

Also in 2017, Lee received a Grammy Award nomination for his songwriting contribution to Beyoncé's single "Formation." The nomination highlighted Lee's versatility as a creative force beyond his performance work, demonstrating his ability to craft material for one of the most prominent artists in popular music. Lee's co-writing credit on "Formation" surprised many listeners who had primarily associated him with Rae Sremmurd's party-centric sound, and the nomination broadened perceptions of his artistic range.

Lee announced plans for his debut solo album, tentatively titled Swaecation, in 2016, signaling his intention to pursue a parallel solo career alongside Rae Sremmurd.

SR3MM, Swaecation, and Commercial Peak (2018)

The year 2018 represented the apex of Lee's commercial success up to that point. Rae Sremmurd released their third studio album, SR3MM, which was structured as a triple album: one disc for the duo, one for Lee's solo debut Swaecation, and one for Slim Jxmmi's solo project Jxmtroduction. SR3MM debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, continuing the duo's streak of high-charting releases.

Swaecation served as Lee's debut solo studio album and showcased his melodic sensibilities in a more focused setting than the duo's collaborative work. The album allowed Lee to explore his vocal range and songwriting abilities across a set of tracks that leaned more heavily into pop and R&B territory.

Later in 2018, Lee's single "Sunflower," a collaboration with Post Malone, was released as part of the soundtrack to the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The song became one of the biggest hits of Lee's career, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving two Grammy Award nominations. "Sunflower" went on to achieve a historic milestone: it became the first song in RIAA history to receive double diamond certification, signifying 20 million certified units in the United States. This made it the highest-certified song in RIAA history, a record that underscored the song's massive and sustained commercial performance.

Also in 2018, Lee collaborated with Ellie Goulding and Diplo on the single "Close to Me." The track became a top 40 hit in the United States and received double platinum certification from the RIAA.

That same year, Lee made an uncredited guest appearance on Travis Scott's single "Sicko Mode," which also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song earned two Grammy Award nominations and became Lee's second chart-topping single. Lee's vocal contribution to the track, though uncredited, was noted by listeners and critics as a key element of the song's appeal.

Lee also collaborated with XXXTentacion, Lil Pump, and Maluma on the single "Arms Around You," which was released posthumously for XXXTentacion. Additionally, Lee teamed with Madonna on the track "Crave," further demonstrating his appeal to artists across genres and generations.

Continued Solo Work (2019–2025)

In 2019, Lee continued to build his profile through collaborations and public appearances. He was recognized at the Teen Choice Awards, where he received nominations reflecting his appeal among younger audiences.

Lee had previously collaborated with Trippie Redd and producer Scott Storch on the track "TR666" in 2017, further expanding his network of collaborators within hip hop.

In 2020, Lee released "Be Like That," a collaboration with Kane Brown and Khalid, which reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and received quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA. The song's crossover appeal — bridging country, pop, and hip hop — further illustrated Lee's ability to operate across genre boundaries.

Same Difference and 2026 Activities

In March 2026, Lee announced that his second solo studio album, Same Difference, would be released on April 4, 2026. In an interview with Power 106, Lee discussed the album and his recent public appearances, including appearing at a Verzuz event. The album was described by media outlets as his "long-awaited" solo follow-up, arriving several years after Swaecation.

In March 2026, Lee partnered with Chipotle for a promotional event tied to the restaurant chain's "Tatted Like a Chipotle Bag" campaign. The collaboration involved a one-hour buy-one-get-one-free offer on Friday, March 13, 2026, available to customers with tattoos — real or temporary. Lee, known for his extensive tattoo collection, also designed a limited flash tattoo sheet available in Miami as part of the promotion.

Personal Life

Lee was born in Inglewood, California, and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, alongside his older brother Slim Jxmmi. The brothers' close relationship has been central to their professional partnership in Rae Sremmurd, though both have pursued individual creative directions over the course of their careers. Lee is known for his distinctive personal style, including an extensive collection of tattoos that has become part of his public image — a characteristic that led to his partnership with Chipotle's tattoo-themed promotional campaign in 2026.

Lee has maintained Tupelo, Mississippi, as his stated origin despite having been born in California, reflecting the formative role the city played in his upbringing and artistic development.

Recognition

Lee's career has been marked by several significant industry accolades and commercial milestones. As a member of Rae Sremmurd, he achieved a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Black Beatles" in 2016. As a solo artist and collaborator, he has achieved two additional number-one singles: "Sunflower" (with Post Malone) and "Sicko Mode" (with Travis Scott, uncredited).

Lee received a Grammy Award nomination in 2017 for his songwriting contribution to Beyoncé's "Formation." His collaboration with Post Malone on "Sunflower" earned two Grammy Award nominations, as did his appearance on Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode." In total, Lee has been associated with multiple Grammy-nominated recordings across songwriting and performance categories.

The RIAA certification milestones associated with Lee's work are among the most notable in the recording industry. "Sunflower" became the first song in RIAA history to achieve double diamond (20× platinum) certification, making it the highest-certified single in the organization's history. "Unforgettable" with French Montana also achieved diamond certification, while "Be Like That" with Kane Brown and Khalid received quadruple platinum certification and "Close to Me" with Ellie Goulding and Diplo received double platinum certification.

Lee was nominated at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards, reflecting his crossover appeal among younger demographics. Rae Sremmurd also received recognition at the Soul Train Awards and the MTV Woodies Awards during their rise to prominence.

Legacy

Swae Lee's impact on contemporary popular music extends across multiple dimensions: as a performer, vocalist, songwriter, and collaborator. His melodic, reverb-heavy vocal style helped bridge the gap between hip hop and pop during the mid-to-late 2010s, a period when genre boundaries in popular music became increasingly fluid. His ability to contribute hooks and melodic elements to tracks across genres — from French Montana's hip hop-oriented "Unforgettable" to Kane Brown's country-influenced "Be Like That" — positioned him as one of the most in-demand collaborators of his era.

The commercial performance of "Sunflower" represents a singular achievement in the history of recorded music certification. As the first and, as of 2026, only song to receive double diamond certification from the RIAA, it stands as a benchmark for sustained commercial viability in the streaming era. The song's association with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse also demonstrated the continued power of film soundtracks in driving popular music consumption.

As one half of Rae Sremmurd, Lee helped define the sound of mid-2010s hip hop alongside his brother Slim Jxmmi, with their EarDrummer Records partnership with Mike Will Made It serving as a model for artist-producer development relationships. The duo's three albums — SremmLife, SremmLife 2, and SR3MM — all debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, a consistent level of commercial performance that underscored their sustained relevance.

Lee's Grammy-nominated co-writing credit on Beyoncé's "Formation" further expanded the scope of his influence, demonstrating that his creative contributions extended beyond his own recordings and into the work of other major artists. As he prepares to release Same Difference in 2026, Lee continues to evolve as both a solo artist and a collaborative force in popular music.