Born and raised in New York, music plays a huge role in the life of Swagger Dagger. Inspired by his elementary school teacher to create music, she taught him the ropes on how to record, and perform.
Beginning to rap at the age of 13, people started to recognize Swagger Dagger’s talents as he carried forth his outlet of expression.
With no plans on stopping anytime soon, Swagger Dagger collaborates with the artist, Mal Rojo, in order to put forth the charismatic sounds of, “Too Many Shots.” Laying down rhyme schemes on top of bass-heavy instrumentation, the undeniable lyrical talents of Swagger Dagger hit the top shelf in the captivating essence of his latest single.
Swaying between hard-hitting cadences that have you hanging onto the profound consciousness that is held within the intrapersonal spectrum of Swagger Dagger, we get offered up a mass array of sounds like the dynamic pair of these two artists have you floating to cloud-nine. “Too Many Shots,” is ultimately a soundscape that deserves its own category on the line of party track meets cognizant verses. The hook comes in and has you transferred to an alternate universe where you are mesmerized by the reverberated sequences before you.
The manner in which the hook ties into the witty bars have a fluent flow that strikes us as effortless. With music having saved Swagger Dagger’s life in the past, it is no wonder why he gives it his all as he puts forth creations to win over his audience. Sharing his gratitude with the world, we’re hyped for future releases from this artist.
Listen to "Too Many Shots" here.
Welcome to BuzzMusic Swagger Dagger, and congratulations on the release of, “Too Many Shots.” What moment or story inspired the creation of this track?
First of all, thank you guys for having me, it's a total honor. My boy Eric (Mal Rojo) originally had the track at first and he had an instrumental on go. It was my first time ever in a studio setting ever. I was originally there just to hang out and chill. We had talked about doing a song for a while now and he just inspired me to really go as hard as I could and I was able to write from my personal perspective. And although the song came at me all at once, I feel like it took me ten years to have this song. And as time went by, I asked my boy if could keep the song and with no hesitation he let me have it, and luckily I was able to do a song for him on one of his tapes which is coming soon.
Could you let us into what the experience and vibes were like working with Mal Rojo on, “Too Many Shots?"
Rojo is just one of the most talented people I have ever met. He sings he raps, produces, and can write. He comes from such a real place and his talent is just beyond anything I've seen before. Anytime I and Mal get in the studio, it's always good vibes. Me and him go way back since our early high school days and we always saw the potential in each other. He brings the best out of me like no other. And I'll put it like this, this song would not exist if it wasn't for him, and I proudly say that. His passion, soul, and heart speak for themselves in the music. He's more than just an artist, he is what music needs today. And his inventiveness is just mind-blowing to me. His music is way beyond deserved recognition. And my boy has a lot of projects coming out so y'all better be watching out for that. He is just the greatest and most talented artist ever. Artists and people like him come once in a lifetime. He's completely selfless and just going and his determination to keep creating is far beyond anything I've witnessed.
Who are your musical influences and how do they inspire your creations?
Definitely Eminem, Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Drake, Future, Post Malone, Ty Dolla Sign, Joyner Lucas, Machine Gun Kelly, The Weeknd, and Jay-Z, just to name a few. And even people I make music with like Mal Rojo, Jay Papes, Worm Harvester, Hazard, Veniz, B-Love, Ether, YONAS, Enosh Gomez, Colton Le Bleu, Michael Pollard, Moony, Kosmic Black, Arny Man the Plug, and Rugby, also to name a few. They inspire me creatively and lyrically. Just hearing the way they approach different tracks and records gives me my own guide to finding my own lane and just going for it. And what they all have in common that inspires me the most is that they are all completely unapologetic in their art, there are absolutely no boundaries in what they create and they are all able to emulate and express themselves and continuously break the barrier to me.
In terms of themes and messaging, what do you hope that your listeners take away from your music?
I just hope that any kid listening to this song or any of my music, in general, is just to go chase your dreams. Give yourself a chance to live the life you always wanted. I made my own quote/slogan once that I never really shared with many people. I say "Every day is a chance to add a legendary verse to our non-instrumental lives". I just want my music to guide anyone that is going through anything, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you can do anything you put your mind to. There are people and situations that will push you to the brink, but as long as you surround yourself with people that support and lift you up, there's nothing you can't do. Just keep your faith in God, never give up and never lose focus on what matters to you. You are more than what people say.
What can we expect to see next from you?
I have a project coming this summer called "In Swagger We Trust" and I am just super excited to be in the studio. And I got some extra songs coming out as well. And I am also releasing some content for my Instagram as well, so be on the lookout for that. This project is my introduction to the game and I am just beyond inspired to keep creating and put on for my city. From the 516 to all over the world, I just want to inspire and keep going. And I am beyond blessed to make it to this point in my career. Plus this project is a reflection of my 10 years pursuing rap and I want this first project to be my best yet.