ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Growing up in the southern African country of Zimbabwe, hip-hop artist King Sway (born Farai Gwasira) was fascinated by Canadian artists like Drake and The Weeknd.
That fascination played a vital role in his desire to move to Canada, which he did in 2017.
“At the time, Canada was becoming a hub of music,” said the Memorial University student. “There were a lot of upcoming artists and Canada is a different market from the rest of the world.
“I personally feel like there’s a lot more focus on the quality of music.”
However, his love of Canadian music doesn’t only involve hip hop.
“Shania Twain, I love Shania,” he said. “Oh my gosh, Shania is it. I still sing along to ‘Don’t Be Stupid (You know I Love You).’”
Because he was familiar with popular Canadian music, he said he didn’t experience much in the way of culture shock when he finally arrived.
“It felt like I had found a home.”
After releasing his debut full-length album “Day Dreaming” in 2020, King Sway is back with a new single called “Winter (2AM),” available on all streaming platforms.
“The evocative track outlines the story of a relationship turned sour and the thoughts and emotions of an embattled heart that yearns for what it lost,” said a news release about the song.
Gwasira is studying business at Memorial, but music is his primary goal.
“I’m going to keep releasing music and, hopefully, I can get to a point where it becomes my main profession,” he said.
20 Questions
1. What is your full name?
Farai Gwasira.
2. Where and when were you born?
I was born in the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, (in) January 1999.
3. Where do you live today?
St. John’s.
4. What’s your favourite place in the world?
(That) would be my home studio. I think that’s the place I’ve felt happiest in recent times. I can’t remember a place I’ve been happier than that.
5. Who do you follow on social media?
People who I feel will inspire my craft and challenge me.
6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
How laid back I am. My music kind of paints me as this serious person who is always touching on serious topics. The moment I did a song that wasn’t about sad stuff, (people said), 'What are you doing?’ So, I think that’s what people would be most surprised to hear, that I can be laid back and have a laugh, because I think I give off the impression that I’m intimidating or something like that.
7. What’s been your favourite year and why?
A lot of people are going to hate me for this, but I think my favourite year so far has been 2020, because it’s a year of milestones for me. In 2020, I learned how to engineer (music). It’s something I started to learn during the lockdown. It’s the year I released my debut album ("Day Dreaming"). Being on TV was No. 1 one on my bucket list and I did that. It was the first time I got acknowledgment from very important people in my life (who said), 'Maybe you should be doing music.’ It was a big year for me on a personal level.
8. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Overcome myself. When you’re starting out … it’s very easy to find yourself experiencing negative emotions and having negative traits like jealousy, envy and wanting to step on other people to get to your own goals. Avoiding that … and trying to not lose myself in pursuit of my dreams is probably what I’ve found most difficult.
9. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
When my grandfather passed away. This was in 2016. It’s that event that kind of pushed me towards taking music seriously. Before that, I’d scribble four or five lines in my room or I’d write a song for my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, but after that, I just needed a coping mechanism so much that I turned to music and that’s how it all started. I believe music is more powerful than it’s given credit for.
10. What’s your greatest indulgence?
Food. I cannot stop eating, which is terrible because I hate exercising. So, you can imagine what lockdown has been like.
11. What is your favourite movie or book?
The Nancy Drew Series. I think I was maybe two books short of finishing the entire collection. I read my first one when I was about seven or eight years old because it was compulsory reading in school, and I just got so into them that I was reading them faster than we were supposed to. By the time I finished high school, I had gone through all the ones we had in the library. I even bought my own.
12. How do you like to relax?
I like to take walks, listen to music. I’m very big on sports. I love football. I love hockey, field and ice hockey. I’m always down to try something new.
13. What are you reading or watching right now?
Right now, I am watching … What am I watching? Oh yes, I’ve been re-watching “Rhythm + Flow” on Netflix, “The Last Kingdom” and “Vikings.” I love “Vikings.”
14. What is your greatest fear?
Falling. I’m not afraid of heights, so I’ll get to the top, but once I’m up there and looking down, I just see myself falling, over and over again. I am so afraid of falling, but I’m not afraid of the heights. It’s kind of weird.
15. How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
I wear a lot of sporting brands, so I would say it’s athletic, which is kind of ironic. I like to have my own customized clothing, so I get a lot of one-off designs.
16. What is your most treasured possession?
My microphone. I recently got a new one. I really love that mike.
17. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
Forward-thinking. My dad instilled it in me that if you want to enjoy tomorrow, you have to think beyond tomorrow. That was the thing he used to tell me every day before he’d drop me off at school. Every day. That was his way of motivating me because I did not like school.
18. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?
Drake would definitely be the first one. The second one would be my girlfriend. And the third one, (record producer) Boy Wonder.
19. What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?
I’m not really sure what my best quality is, but if I had to have a guess, I think it would be people skills. With the people that actually know me, and interact with me, I think I have at least decent people skills. And my worst quality would probably be I’m very emotional. Which is great for music, but it can take its toll on me as a person and sometimes it impairs judgment.
20. What’s your biggest regret?
I think my biggest regret is I didn’t start taking music seriously sooner. For a while, it was show-and-tell. It was, “Hey guys, I can do this.” You know, a school talent show, “Hi, I’m here,” until the next one.
Note: Some answers have been edited for length.
Andrew Waterman reports on East Coast culture.
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Twitter: @andrewlwaterman
