Cameron

I was born in March of 83. My father, James L. Swanson, is the pastor of Greater Zion Community Church in Ashburn, VA (www.gzcc.org). I was born in VA, then moved to Durham, NC. I spent both middle school and high school in Durham. During that time, around 15 or 16 I discovered that I had a talent for rapping, so myself and a friend began to rhyme with his karaoke machine. Around 16 or so I began to seriously get involved in choral music, and discovered that I could hold a note to some degree. But the turning point in my life came at age 17. It was then that I first began to get serious about Jesus Christ, and I took a hiatus from rapping. At the time I was also trying to tighten up my vocals. Through singing in chorus groups, I was able to learn to blend and harmonize with other singers in a group. When I turned 18, I moved out and joined the US Air Force as a cop. I've traveled to Africa, Afghanistan, and I did 4 tours of duty in Iraq (R.I.P., Lee Bernard Chavis). I also recorded several songs while I was in Baghdad that were mainly centered on things I was going through while I was over there. When I finally made a sound decision to serve Jesus Christ back in 2000, I wasn't really interested in doing christian rap music. I was focusing on singing, and perfecting that gift. However, I began to become more and more interested in christian rap music as artists like the Cross Movement began to gain popularity. However, it was when Emmanuel "Da T.R.U.T.H." Lambert from Cross Movement Records released his debut album that I began to take serious interest in christian rap music. I was completely blown away by TRUTH's cd. Never before had I heard such top notch production and lyricism on a gospel rap record!!! After that, I was convinced that I wanted to do rap music for the Lord as well as praise & worship styled songs. So I began to once again write rap music, but this time the lyrics were scriptural in their subject matter.
I also started producing around the same time. I went to Baghdad from June to Dec. 06, and right before that I was able to purchase an Apple Laptop.
Influences: Everyone on Cross Movement Records, Fred Hammond & RFC, Lisa McClendon, Donnie McClurklin, Yolanda Adams, Debra Killings,Men Of Standard, Rachael Lampa, Chris Tomlin, MaryMary, Out Of Eden, Grits, Toby Mac, J Moss, The Clark Sisters, The Caravans (y'all don't know nothin' bout dat!!), Shekinah Glory Ministries, Judith McCalister, Lakewood Church Choir, Union Cathedral in Valdosta, GA Mass Choir. I'd have to say Israel & New Breed are by far my biggest influence. They have an awesome mandate to bring all the nations together under one roof through worship, and also to manifest the Kingdom of God here on Earth through their songs. Next would be William H. Murphy III, because of his awesome songwriting, and the hunger he has for God. And then, Daryl Coley, because of his crazy range, control, improvisational skills, and also his anointed songwriting!!!