Some of Swae Lee’s biggest records have stories fans have never heard. On Drink Champs, he unpacked the making of “Unforgettable,” talked about what’s next for Rae Sremmurd, and shared where his solo journey is headed.
Why The Solo Album Took So Long
Fans have been asking about a Swae Lee solo album for years. The wait, it turns out, had a simple explanation.
Swae explained that the project had been years in the making, and the delay had nothing to do with Rae Sremmurd slowing down. If anything, the group’s success kept pushing it back. After SremmLife took off, the duo spent years on the road, leaving a growing collection of solo records waiting for the right moment.
He compared the group’s approach to a sneaker brand releasing different models under the same name. Each artist brings something different, but they’re still part of the same identity. That’s how he sees Rae Sremmurd, even as both members continue to explore their own sound.
Success Was NEVER a Competition
Swae Lee has never looked at solo success as something that takes away from Rae Sremmurd. His focus has always been on saying yes to the right opportunities and seeing where they lead.
That mindset helped open the door to some of the biggest records of his career, including collaborations with DJ Khaled and Post Malone on hits like “Unforgettable” and “Sunflower.” In his eyes, those moments only made Rae Sremmurd stronger by bringing more attention back to the group.
The conversation even turned to family. Swae shared that his son has already shown an interest in music, and if he decides to follow that path, he’ll have his full support.
How “Black Beatles” Became a Global Anthem
One of Rae Sremmurd’s biggest songs almost ended up sitting untouched. Swae Lee revealed that “Black Beatles” started as a track he created at home before eventually finding its way onto a hard drive in a neighboring studio.
At the time, Slim Jxmmi was focused on different material, but the song kept moving through unexpected hands. It eventually reached Gucci Mane, whose feature added another layer to the record right after his return from prison.
The song’s rise took another turn when the Mannequin Challenge made it a viral moment. Combined with a high-budget music video filmed in Africa, “Black Beatles” became a cultural moment that eventually earned diamond certification.
The Truth Behind “Unforgettable”
“Unforgettable” became one of Swae Lee’s biggest records, but he revealed there was one thing he wishes had been handled differently.
Swae addressed conversations around how the song came together, making it clear that he stands behind his role as the writer and the voice behind the unforgettable hook. With billions of streams and a major impact on his career, he said the record worked out on the business side and that he has no issues with French Montana.
Looking back, the one change he would make is to make his presence more obvious from the start. By not appearing on the original artwork, he believes some listeners missed that the voice behind the hook was his.
The Legends Who Inspire Swae Lee’s Work Ethic
Great artists study great artists. During the conversation, Swae Lee opened up about the names that continue to influence his own approach to music.
He highlighted his respect for figures like Gucci Mane, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Metro Boomin, revealing that he and Mike WiLL still have unreleased collaborations waiting in the vault. The conversation later turned to Prince and Michael Jackson, and Swae shared that his connection to Prince runs even deeper because they share the same birthday.
Prince’s legendary output became the bigger takeaway. With around 30 albums to his name, the icon represents the kind of creative consistency Swae wants to chase. Compared to that standard, Swae sees Rae Sremmurd’s catalog as only the beginning.
Tour Stories from Around the World
Life on the road has given Swae Lee some unforgettable moments. He looked back on performing in Japan with Future, describing the crowd energy as a mix of Atlanta and Miami coming together overseas.
He also shared a wild moment from a Travis Scott performance in Miami when his chain caught on his tooth mid-show, leaving him with a chipped tooth that needed to be fixed afterward. A painful reminder of the highs and hazards that come with the lifestyle.
The Journey is Far from Over
After years of hits, Swae Lee understands the impact he has already made. Still, he made it clear that he sees his story as far from finished.
When N.O.R.E. called his career legendary, Swae showed gratitude while pointing to moments like the renewed success of “Black Beatles” and the Mannequin Challenge as proof that the music continues to connect with new audiences.
He ended the conversation by showing love back to N.O.R.E., recognizing the influence his career has had on artists like him. A reminder that every generation leaves something behind for the next one to build on.
The biggest stories are always better straight from the source. Watch the full episode here!