Posted by | Ray Cornelius
I had the distinct pleasure of teaming up with Clark Atlanta University’s student led radio station WSTU for an intimate mixer on Tuesday evening featuring hip hop’s newest obsession, Swagu Style House. “Classrooms and Conversations” took place in the “Black Box” room of the Mass Communication Building and featured a lively Q&A session with the trio as well as an opportunity to hear some of their unreleased music.
Swagu Style House is musical fusion of hip-hop, pop, funk, rock and alternative music and is comprised of three members—Stranger, Deep and Medulla—who not only spit rhymes but can also play instruments as well. The “rap band” comes from the creative genius of Atlanta’s own CeeLo Green and pledges to make music that they describe as “immortal, positive and universal.”
Medulla, Stranger and Deep – Swagu Style House
During the Q&A portion of the evening WSTU’s Georgia Doll and I talked to guys about their beginnings, their creative process and new found success. Medulla is the son of CeeLo Green and is clearly influenced by his father’s iconic music group Goodie Mob. But the guys also admit they’ve been inspired by some legendary performers as well including Little Richard, Ray Charles and Nina Simone.
“Nina Simone has a quote that says, ‘there’s no excuse for the young people not knowing who the heroes and heroines are or were.’ So, we totally respect that as artists and what her music stood for,” said Deep during the Q&A session.
Stranger, Medulla and Deep – Swagu Style House
In addition to the questions, CAU students got an exclusive opportunity to hear songs from the Swagu’s forthcoming album which includes the “trap meets pop” song “Elevator,” “Dear Mama,” which is a nod to Tupac Shakur‘s iconic 90’s song and “Catch Me When I’m Famous,” which is sure to be a club banger and fan favorite.
“Look at me now and how I came up out this situation. If you ain’t know me from the start, ain’t no sense of waiting. I told you this from the jump, you just too impatient. So watch me work, I’m a kill ’em where it hurts when they. Catch me when I’m famous. Ride by, throw the deuces up. Catch me when I’m famous. I’m a kill where it hurts…”
See more photos below and stay tuned! I plan on talking more exclusively to the group in a future edition of my radio show, “UPFRONT” Inside Atlanta’s Entertainment Industry. In the meantime, check out their newest video for their first single, “Pick It Up” featuring CeeLo Green:
Swagu Style House
Swagu Style House with WSTUs Georgia Doll
Swagu Style House having fun with Red Bull Marketing Rep
Swagu Style House with the WSTU Board
Ray Cornelius with Swagu Style House
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com