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Fast-rising dancehall artiste, Swazz, is here to claim what he believes is his rightful place in the music space with his EP, scheduled for release on March 25.

The entertainer, who lives by the mantra, "A bird is safe in its nest but that's not what it's wings are made for", told THE STAR that this daily affirmation is his driving force for success.

"You affi tek risk and yuh affi go fi weh yuh want because opportunity naah guh find yuh. Yuh affi create yuh own moment and opportunity. It's just a reminder to me fi always go fi what me want," he explained. "Me left from St Mary come to the busy life in Kingston just to get my musical career to work, is proof that I know what I want, what I deserve and what I want to become."

The New Money singer shared that despite his slang being the main inspiration behind his EP, when he releases this compilation, it will spit some hard-hitting lyrics which will drive fear in every other artiste.

"Nuh body nuh safe' is mi slang, mi even have it tattoo pon mi neck because nobody really nuh safe. Suh [this EP] will basically show the fans when mi a seh 'Nuh body nuh safe' weh mi really mean; it's a hardcore EP with a lot of tough tracks on it - it a go tough," he said, noting that one track Dudus, is already released.

His love for music started at age 13, and by age 15 he was only 'writing music for fun' and singing cover versions. He, however, went viral while deejaying at his alma mater, Titchfield High School.

"I was just freestyling and mi friends dem realise seh a supmn mi really good at [and advised] me fi tek it serious [because] one day I was at school freestyling and a big crowd draw and pure excitement while class a gwaan," he shared.

With the motivation from Homer Harris, who Swazz described as a 'great influencer in his career', to the teachings and advice from Sizzla Kalonji and his team at Judgement Yard, the budding artiste said he started producing more original pieces, which led to a more serious career in music.

"So around 2018, mi left mi job and invest inna some studio equipment and start record," the former mixologist shared. "From den, mi keep working at it until mi actually find mi sound because I was all over the place and now mi find it," he said with a laugh. He admitted that, even while on his previous job, he knew "music was [his] calling" because while working, he regularly "deejay for the tourists" and guests often told him he was in the wrong field of work.

The young artiste said he hopes to one day fill the shoes of fellow St Mary native, reggae maestro Capleton, who serves as an inspiration.

"We definitely want wi name fi a call same way, wi want to be that next person like when yuh talk 'bout St Mary yuh seh, Capleton, Munga [Honorable]. Suh next time Swazz name affi deh inna di list to as the new generation," he stated. Other musical influences stem from the dancehall giants, Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

Swazz, given name Qwayne Anderson, is now managed by Koymoy 'Purple' Palmer, owner of Purple Management company. He said he has seen massive growth since being with this agent as he has performed at major events such as Sting in 2022, several Marco Polo events and other shows in and around Kingston. However, his main musical aspiration is to score major collaborations with international rapper, Drake. He is also willing to collaborate with any local acts "as long as they are ready to work" because he believes most of these recent acts are "very talented".

He advised young artistes to "stay focused and believe in wah yuh a do because you affi believe first in wah yuh a do, or else nobody else naah guh believe."