Swooli

Haitian-born, Boston-based rapper Swooli was raised on a diversified range of music, birthing an artist that would never let anyone box him in.

Swooli’s father was a disc jockey in Boston for a Haitian radio station and played Magic 106.7 on his way to school each morning. Through the radio, Swooli was introduced to Phil Collins, Eddie Money, Irene Cara, and many others. Growing up, his parents often worked late hours, so his siblings would challenge him to rap battles just to pass the time. His mother, who had signed up for a music program, encouraged his household to listen to CDs varying from Carlos Santana and 50 Cent to the Backstreet Boys and Outkast. Fostering a love for all kinds of music, the influence of his parents largely contributed to Swooli’s wildly eclectic and diverse range. Submerged in music from the beginning, he grew up to make a name for himself by rapping in the streets of Boston.

His debut EP, I’m Up, Vol. 1, arrives as a self-declaration. Swooli explains that “The title for my EP comes from my catch phrase, ‘boo boo boop, I’m up!’ which just means I’m alive… I’m here.” After having spent his life experimenting with music, time continued to pass and Swooli realized he had been sitting on a collection of music for far too long. This prompted Swooli to release a multifaceted EP, composed of 3 tracks, that display just how broad his scope is.

Engineered by Boston-based producer, Robie Rowland, the drum-heavy intro track, “Bakery,” lays out a dark, murky start to the EP; it operates entirely on vibrating 808’s, claps, and pops. As soon as the first drum kicks, Swooli jumps in, wasting no time as he lists off the assets that will aid him in his pursuit of self-isolation. Vacantly, he raps, “We just want a castle with a black picket fence/I inquire ‘bout the vacancy/Paint a couple walls, build a moat with a bridge/Cause some days its get away from me.” Behind Swooli’s deadpan delivery is an echo that adds the perfect dash of depth to this stripped-down track. While this intro does not seem to relate much at all to a bakery, Swooli turns it on its head when he raps, “Play a couple tunes that relate to all my moods/Getting jiggy at the bakery.” He can take his music wherever he pleases, whenever he pleases.

Contrastly, “Pink Skies, Polaroids, and Some Flavors,” reflects the summer-induced high that comes with longer, warmer days like the one it was written on. A complete shift from “Bakery,” “Pink Skies, Polaroids, and Some Flavors” is embroidered with reflective synths that breathe under psychedelic guitar plucks and low-key beats. For this track, Swooli linked up with producer, rrarebear, who is most known for his laid back, Frank Ocean-style beats that execute the essence of the summer season and its infectious glow. Meditative, Swooli croons about partying, shooting his shot, and capturing the moment: “Boogie oogie all night, it’s a rager… Shooting shots with your heart in the chamber… Strike a pose you wan’t save this for later/This a Kodak moment.” Soft and intimate, this track is a song for the soul.

Crafted with an episode of The Jetsons in mind, “Watched it Burn (It Was Dumb Lit)” was, to Swooli, the score that plays as we witness the world burn. After linking up with artist CHR$TN, the two agreed on a whimsical, upbeat sound to evoke the idea that, “as long we’re lit having a good time, who cares.” We’ll watch the world burn, but not without celebrating every last moment there is left. “The true meaning,” Swooli says, “is to pay attention to the world.” On the chorus he raps, “Less stress/Fresh breath/Up all night/Loving life/Just can’t help but feel this way.” This chorus is a motto he seems to live by. In the essence of his work, we witness Swooli unapologetically net out every ounce of himself.

Pulling inspiration from all ends of the spectrum, Swooli is a rapper who “just can’t help but feel this way.” There is no sense in attempting to box him into one single being, genre, or category. He is consistently inconsistent. As his beats and verses depend entirely on his mood, there is a track in his catalog that everyone can bump to. - Sounds of Boston

Swooli gives youthfulness a simplistic glow in his newest video, "Millennial 20s," with an excellent visual presentation, warm, colorful lighting, and nostalgic emotion.

Swooli's hit song receives significant radio play. Simultaneously, there are two young adults swiftly running around, passing out flyers to the late artist's performance of the hit song. The flyers eventually get noticed by elders who are curious to know what a "Swooli" is and what makes him so unique. It turns out, Swooli is what they need to allow them to appreciate the moment of "now." He motivates everyone to take things one day at a time as we navigate through this crazy thing called "life."

Watch the visual right here via YouTube.
You can also stream this song on our bckgrnd. playlist. - Bckgrnd

Swooli’s “Millennial 20s” dropped towards the end of this past September, and is an excellent preview of what fans will see this Monday, as the music video literally shows Swooli performing with natural grace. He relays an infectious energy throughout each of his songs, and this feeling will only be amplified once he touches the stage at the Brighton Music Hall. - graduationmusic

If you’ve been following us on Graduation Music for some time now, “Swooli” is a name that you have undoubtedly stumbled across at least once or twice. Even if you haven’t heard of him, today is the perfect day for an introduction, as this Boston talent is here on our pages to deliver his latest offering, a single entitled “240,000”. Acting as the perfect testament to the songwriting and vocal styles that set Swooli apart from the pack, this track tells you everything you need to know about the young talent, all packaged within about 3 minutes of smooth sounds and infectious verses.

“240,000” is produced by none other than Eris, and fitting in with the atmospheric themes featured in the song, the instrumental of this one plays on the hypnotic effects of Swooli’s vocals with a complementary touch. The artist-producer chemistry is on full display here, and by taking this sound and enhancing it with his own stylistic choices, the Boston singer shows us that he’s ready to get his sound out there, and deservedly so. This is yet another solid single to add to a string of well-rounded releases for Swooli, so be sure not to sleep. - graduationmusic

$wooli is one of the many talents coming out of Boston right now, and he truly showcases that talent alongside Rachel Aiello in “Rainy Days”. The track showcases his struggle between being an artist and maintaining a relationship, which, as $wooli details, ultimately doesn’t end up working out in this case. While I was not familiar with any of Rachel Aiello’s music prior, the pair really came through for us on the hook, making the song extremely catchy and lending it quite a bit of replay value.

Through his music, $wooli is able to string together what he’s experienced in life thus far, and being a young adult, a lot of these struggles are relatable. A friend of mine got me hip to $wooli during December of last year, and for the months following I was bumping his track “Zoning” constantly. I’m a little upset with myself for not listening to “Rainy Days” sooner, but either way, it’s one of the dopest songs that I came across this past week. Show some love to $wooli and bump “Rainy Days” below. - graduationmusic