Two New York MCs still maintaining the street grittiness in the modern era listened to the people. Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh popped out for a Sway’s Universe appearance about a month ago and laid down a show-stopping freestyle. Fans were in awe of their bars, especially The Butcher’s. “Only way I can protect my peace is if my piece protect me… It’s so hot I can’t talk, it’s like the one chip challenge.” It’s got almost 400,000 since it hit YouTube, so they decided to officially release it as the “SS2 Freestyle” on streaming. Whoever selected the beat for these two prolific MCs was smart because the methodical, dark, and grand beat is right in their wheelhouse.
It sounds like something from any one of their records, including their most recent. Last month, Butch and Spesh dropped off their second entry in the STABBED & SHOTseries. Special guests included V Don, Harry Fraud, Busta Rhymes, Dave East, Daringer, Ransom, among others. For Benny, it’s his third record of 2024, as it follows up on his Black Soprano Family release, Summertime Butch, and his Def Jam Recordings debut, Everybody Can’t Go. For Spesh, he’s also been on a tear. He’s up to five on the year, with Mother & Gun, God’s Timing, In God We Trust, and Checks & Balances being his roster of LPs. Overall, it’s just been another year of major moves and excellent projects for these two close friends. Their dedication to the craft and willingness to release new material so consistently makes them two of the underground’s generational titans. “SS2 Freestyle” is more proof of that and we can’t wait to see where they go from here.
Few figures stand as tall as Sway Calloway in the media landscape, as evidenced by his induction into the Radio Hall Of Fame. As of 2024, Celebrity Net Worth pegs the legendary hip-hop journalist’s fortune at an impressive $8 million. Sway Calloway, often simply known as Sway, has undoubtedly carved an influential path through the rap industry and broadcasting, leaving an indelible mark on both. Let’s delve into the journey that has contributed to Sway Calloway’s substantial net worth.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 19: Sway Calloway speaks onstage at “Elevating Communities that Created Pop Music” during 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 19, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Dave Pedley/Getty Images for SXSW)
Sway Calloway’s journey into the limelight began in Oakland, California, where his passion for hip-hop ignited. During the late 1980s, he embarked on a rap career, forming a duo with his partner King Tech. Though his rap pursuits didn’t catapult him into mainstream success, they laid the foundation for his multifaceted career.
As a rapper, Sway gained insights into the inner workings of the music industry, fostering connections and understanding the nuances that would later define his journalistic approach. Despite the challenges faced in the rap game, his pivot to journalism proved to be a transformative move.
The Wake Up Show & Rise In Radio
HOLLYWOOD – FEBRUARY 10: On-Air Personalities Tech (L) and Sway of The Wake-Up Show pose for photos at The Highland February 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
Sway Calloway’s entry into the world of radio marked a pivotal moment in his career. Teaming up with King Tech, he co-hosted the groundbreaking Wake Up Show on KMEL in the early ’90s. This platform became a crucible for emerging hip-hop talent, providing a space for both established and up-and-coming artists to showcase their skills. The Wake Up Show became a cultural phenomenon, earning Sway widespread recognition for his skillful interviewing techniques and his knack for fostering genuine conversations with artists. This radio stint laid the groundwork for Sway’s future success as a hip-hop journalist.
Notable Interviews & Articles
Sway Calloway’s prowess as an interviewer is legendary, with his interviews often hailed as some of the most insightful in the hip-hop realm. From iconic moments on MTV to his later work on SiriusXM’s Shade 45, Sway has interviewed the biggest names in the industry. His interviews with rap icons like Eminem, Kanye West, and Jay-Z stand out for their depth and authenticity. Moreover, Sway’s ability to extract candid responses from artists has endeared him to fans and elevated his status in the world of hip-hop journalism.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: Sway Calloway speaks onstage during Day 1 of 2023 ONE MusicFest at Piedmont Park on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Sway Calloway’s influence extends beyond the mic and camera. Beyond his radio and journalistic pursuits, Sway has diversified his ventures, contributing significantly to his impressive net worth. Entrepreneurial endeavors, endorsement deals, and strategic partnerships have added substantial value to his financial portfolio.
Sway’s involvement in film and television, including hosting gigs on MTV and contributing to various hip-hop documentaries, has expanded his reach. Additionally, his role as an executive producer on several projects demonstrates his commitment to shaping the narrative of hip-hop culture in various media.
In the digital age, Sway has adapted seamlessly, leveraging his brand through podcasts and social media platforms. His engagement with a new generation of hip-hop enthusiasts has solidified his status as a cultural ambassador, ensuring a sustained relevance that contributes to his overall net worth.
Conclusion
As of 2024, Sway Calloway’s net worth of $8 million is a testament to the multifaceted career he has meticulously crafted. From his early days as a rapper to his groundbreaking radio presence and impactful journalism, Sway’s journey reflects the evolution of hip-hop culture itself. With a diverse array of ventures contributing to his financial success, Sway Calloway continues to be an influential force in the realm of hip-hop, leaving an indelible mark on the industry he has passionately served.
Despite having an amazing career and legacy spanning several decades, LL Cool J makes it clear he’s not stopping anytime soon. In his opinion, all rappers should feel that way, especially the older generation. During a recent appearance on Sway’s Universe, the iconic pioneer shared his thoughts on ageism in rap. He believes that music artists don’t have to flirt with retirement in the same way athletes do. He even took it a step further and claimed that it could actually make you insecure. “Hip Hop is not a sport,” he began. “It’s like playing guitar or the horn…” He continued: “So I don’t have to stop doing what I do and stop recording at 34.”
LL added, “I hear artists all the time flirting with retirement, and that’s really insecurity. Because they don’t know whether or not they’re gonna be able to continue on in their careers. At least that’s how it comes off to me.” The rapper also noted that it comes off as a lack of gratitude. “You’re in a position to have a great career, and you’re flirting with retirement for absolutely no reason.”
This Isn’t The First Time LL Addressed Ageism In Hip Hop
The Queens native isn’t known for biting his tongue. So when DJ Akademiks called rappers from his generation washed up and “dusty,” he didn’t hold back. “Don’t think just because somebody knows how to get money, or fails to get money, that they didn’t make a contribution to the culture. No one discusses Miles Davis’s bank account. We don’t talk about John Coltrane’s bank account. We don’t talk about a lot of Rock musicians’ bank accounts. A lot of great Country artists, we don’t talk about their bank accounts,” LL said in a video posted to his Instagram.
He continued: “Nobody believed in it. How can you make a 5-year plan or a 10-year plan on something that doesn’t even exist yet?” he said. “So just because [Hip Hop pioneers] didn’t get rich, just because they weren’t able to pile up millions or billions of dollars, does not mean that they didn’t make a contribution to this culture.”
Jadakiss says that he’s got a lot of new music on the way. The Lox rapper discussed his plans for the rest of 2023 during an interview on Sway’s Universe, last week. He revealed that he intends to fulfill his Def Jam contract, possibly dropping as many as three projects.
“I’m still the Samurai,” he began. “I’ma drop two projects this year, maybe three. A LOX joint and definitely two Kiss joints — fulfill my Def Jam contract and then do some other lucrative business that’s mainly beneficial for me. I think that’s what it’s about.”
Jadakiss With The Lox For “Verzuz”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: (L-R) Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, and Styles P of The Lox perform onstage during Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset at Madison Square Garden on August 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
News of new albums from Jadakiss comes after Jim Jones recently remarked that he missed a “hell of an opportunity” by not dropping after The Lox’s Verzuz matchup with Dipset. Jones explained during an interview with AllHipHopTV. “‘Kiss reaped a lot of benefits from the Verzuz, man,” Jones said in the discussion. “I mean, we all do things different and shit like that, but he had a hell of an opportunity to do a lot. I wish that he would have dropped a project at that time because it didn’t even matter what he would have put out in that window of time that he had. He could’ve just took eight records he had in the stash and just put them bitches out, that bitch was going platinum.”
Speaking of the iconic Verzuz battle, Jim Jones recently challenged Jadakiss and The Lox to a rematch. When asked about the idea during an interview with VIBE, Jadakiss said he’d be down. “You gotta talk to my advisors,” Jadakiss said with a laugh. “I would love to run it back, you know what I mean? Why not? For sure.” Jones says that he wants the battle held inside New York’s Madison Square Garden. Check out Jadakiss’ recent appearance on Sway’s Universe below.
While horror films are great, they aren’t for everyone. Some people simply have a low tolerance for being scared. Others reject the films based on the content, be it gore, jump scares, etc. Even in a new era of horror (so-called “elevated horror”), there are many people who hold firm in their beliefs.
Rapper Jadakiss has some interesting, albeit coincidental links to horror. His given name is Jason, like the iconic killer in the Friday the 13th franchise. He released a collaborative album with Fabolous entitled Friday on Elm Street. Not only is this a reference to horror icons Jason Vorhees and Freddy Kruger, but the album was also even originally titled Freddy vs. Jason. However, turns out that Jadakiss isn’t that big on the horror genre, at least when it comes to the movies.
Jadakiss’ Only Child Status Led To His Dislike Of Horror Films
Appearing on Sway’s Universe, Jadakiss was asked if he had a list of favorite horrors. “[I am] absolutely scared shitless of horror films,” came the rapper’s response, “Besides my name being Jason, I want absolutely nothing to do with horror films.” When pressed on the topic, Jadakiss had a very simple explanation for why he didn’t like the genre. “I’m an only child,” he explained, “So I grew up by myself. So I would be at my cousin’s crib, or we’d go to the movies, and I gotta go home alone,” he continued. Already a hilarious explanation, Jadakiss wasn’t finished. “I’m seeing Michael Myers, I’m hearing shit. The closet’s shaking. My mom don’t come home till 12.” he went on to say.
A lot of people have presumably had the same experience as Jadakiss. They’ve watched a scary movie, only for the scary movie to follow them home. Whether the killer was in the closet, under the bed, or lurking in the corner, an experience like that changes you. It’s completely understandable why Jadakiss is so opposed to horror films. Especially given he cites Michael Myers, it’s easy to see where he is coming from. People today forget that before the amped-up horror of the 90s onwards, Freddy, Jason, and Michael were the scariest things around. But Jadakiss has made his stance on the genre clear.
Bay Area rapper Rexx Life Raj dropped one of the most powerful and emotionally stirring hip-hop albums of the year in The Blue Hour. While it presents Raj as the dexterous, creative lyricist that he is, the album largely deals with the trials and tribulations of Raj’s last few years amid the death of both of his parents, who he cared for in their final days. The album is triumphant in Raj’s perseverance at every turn, and he made an appearance on the Sway’s Universe radio show on SiriusXM this week to talk about it and spit one of the most memorable freestyles you’ll hear this year.
Raj gets deep with Sway and co-host Heather B, talking about his loss, the music that came from it, and questioning his faith in the process. The show took multiple callers who talked about their similar experiences with losing loved ones and dealing with cancer as a family. It’s clear that Sway has an affinity for Raj, as he calls The Blue Hour “one of the most important albums to come out of the Bay in a recent while.” He also lauds it for its honesty. Then Sway drops a beat out of nowhere and puts Raj on the spot for a freestyle — although he also calls him a “singer,” which the rapper must’ve taken personally [insert Jordan meme].
The clip above follows the first two minutes of Rexx Life Raj’s flow and presents the moment where he just snapped, rapping: “N****s try to make this sh*t seem hard when it really ain’t / I watched my Momma take her last few breaths, this sh*t is cake / What’s hard when you still got my brother locked in a cage? / A real first diagnosis is cancer in final stage.”
Raj tipped a cap to his days as an offensive lineman for the Boise State Broncos as well, name-checking former QB (and now Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator) Kellen Moore. And then might’ve been the first dude to ever slip in Packers tackle David Bakhtiari’s name in a freestyle: “I pray for positivity and optimism / To turn life lessons into gems that I can drop on n****s / Still giving credit to the ones who never did it hardly / ‘Cause do you get an Aaron Rogers without Bakhtiari?”
Sway flies out of his seat when it ends and you probably will too. Watch the snippet of the freestyle above and check out Rexx Life Raj’s full appearance on Sway’s Universe below.
