Five Questions with Prince Swanny

Recording artiste Prince Swanny is not only one of the originators of TriniBad, the distinctive fusion of dancehall and trap coming out of Trinidad and Tobago, he is one of the leading artistes of the emerging sub-genre in both streams, with YouTube views totalling 210 million and a social media following of over 350,000. Currently, the TriniBad artiste’s 2020 single Catch 22 is the most popular of the genre on all digital streaming platforms.

He has been enjoying the virtual spotlight and loves the stage twice as much. He said that performing on a stage now comes naturally because “I was performing in primary school, first for my friends, and then calypso competitions”, and he has matured from hometown boy Taryll Swan into Prince Swanny. “I see myself getting more interactive with the crowd, bringing in different ‘arguments’ onstage (like a deejay) when introducing various songs, and I try to bring the audience into the performance,” Prince Swanny told The Gleaner. The Relentless artiste revealed that he has a routine before every performance, which involves a group talk and a prayer, which allows him to give “the best” of himself onstage.

He has garnered support from the reggae-dancehall and hip-hop communities, among them, Popcaan, Drake, Burna Boy, Bobby Shmurda and Yo Gotti, each of whom have endorsed Prince Swanny’s music by sharing it on social media. As he tours and performs across the US, with no signs of slowing down, he’s shifting into album promotion mode for Swanology coming this Fall from his ZTEKK imprint. In July, he released the first single, Govern, from the project and a week later had followed it with another titled Against The World. The second single takes listeners inside his private life as he vocally drives smooth lyrics over a meditative rhythm with a strong piano presence made by 47 On Da Beat. In this week’s Five Questions, Prince Swanny shares his next move, some memorable experiences and what he is listening to.

1. What does it mean to you to be called a pioneer in the Trinbagonian dancehall scene?

It feels great, but I always did it more for the passion than the fame. In 2017, I came up with a tune called Go Fi Dem, and when we shot the video, they had never seen something like that coming out of Trinidad before – a youth singing with all this gold on his neck. It was dancehall, but it was a little different. When they saw the visuals, people realised a whole new style came out.

2. You were recently in French Guiana performing, was it your first time there, and what was that experience like?

Big up French Guiana. It was good. The love they showed was amazing. All of my shows are memorable, but this one more so because French Guiana is not a country many recording artistes get to visit. I got to be there with Kalash, who is one of the top dancehall artistes in France. We’ve grown to be friends, and we collaborated on the song Punani Imperial. You might even be able to catch a feature from him on my upcoming album.

3. What’s one of the most memorable or strangest experiences or interactions you’ve had with a fan during a tour or performance?

In Barbados in 2019 for Hennessy Artistry. The fans broke down the VIP barrier and ran to the stage, crying and screaming my name, forcing security personnel to get control of it. I was more amazed because it was during a storm, and no one would move out of the rain.

4. The Road to Carnival 2023 has begun in Trinidad and also for Jamaicans who are excited for the celebration next year. What place do you see TriniBad music having in the carnival celebrations, and what are you preparing for the carnival season?

Carnival has always been more centred on soca and calypso than what we do, but I see where our music has become more accepted and even more popular since the last major carnival in 2020. It would make sense if next year you hear it more, but that’s not for me to determine.

5. Tell us the top three songs in your iTunes or any other music playlists.

To be honest, the top three songs are from my catalogue of my music because I’m the type of artiste that likes to listen for mistakes. I critique myself and see what can be done better — however, big up Skillibeng, Popcaan and Jahvillani same way.

BRAWTA: If you could vacation outside the Caribbean region, which country would you want to visit and why?

I would choose Dubai. It has a lot of things the rest of the world does not.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com