Shwayze

The self-professed “only Black kid in Malibu,” Aaron Smith (also known as Shwayze) has gone from living with his grandparents in a Malibu trailer park to on the verge of becoming Southern California’s next big artist.  A melting-pot of laid-back melodies, hip-hop rhythms and acoustic guitars, Shwayze’s self-titled debut (due out on Suretone/Geffen Records in July 2008) pays homage to an all-day-and-into-the-night party lifestyle colored by the rolling tides of his hometown beaches.  Collaborating with Shwayze is producer / socialite Cisco Adler (son of producer Lou Adler); he co-wrote all of the songs on the album, producing and providing backing vocals along the way.  The first single, a track called “Buzzin”, is an infectious track of roots-rock guitar layered nicely with Shwayze’s cool-breeze hip hop vocal delivery.  

 

The video for the song was directed by Robert Hales (MTV Director of the Year, 2006 Video Music Awards). He has directed videos for Justin Timberlake, Gnarls Barkley, Jet, The Donnas, among others.

Shwayze was named one of “Eight To Watch in 2008” by The Los Angeles Times.