[FEATURE] SWAZEY - "8 HOURS"|@RafiqHawkins

Hip-Hop Artist, Swazey lands a deal with New-York label, EQ

Swazey AKA Hef Swazey was born Rafiq Hawkins 09/15/1995 in Washington DC, with 10 siblings born to a poor working-class mother, in the inner cities of Washington DC. At the tender age of 12, he decides to leave his home to pursue his music career in rap. He’s extremely talented and focused with a determination to win and never settle. This disposition earned him a lot of respect and recognition within his community and his social media.

Swazey went viral in a mistaken identity debacle with local neighborhood police officers in Washington DC. During the police harassment incident, he ran and hopped the fence back and forth acrobat style. The viral video is called “You Can’t Catch Me, Boy.” After the viral video, he was invited on the MTV show “Ridiculousness” and his viral video was a segment on the show. In 2020, he was featured on the MTV spinoff show of “Ridiculousness” called “Disturbed in 2020.” Additionally, Swazey performed opening shows for Young Thug during the ‘HBCU Black College Spring Tour.’ He has countless features on a local radio station in Washington DC WPGC 95.5 FM with host DJ Tony Redz.

The newly-signed EQ artist is Swazey is deceased. On March 23, 2019, he was gunned down by four assailants while on his way to the studio. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries in Washington DC. He was the next upcoming hip-hop artist when he passed. Shortly after he passed away, he was signed to the EQ distribution label in NYC.

His mother Fatima manages his music estate after her son passed. EQ contacted her to sign her son Swazey in June of 2019. “Of course, I wanted to let the world hear what Swazey has dedicated his life to, his love for music, and the craft of creating music. It helped him deal with life,” says Fatima.

We appreciate Swazey’s Mom, Fatima for sharing her son’s story. Be sure to connect with his legacy on social media and digital music platforms.