Swae Lee Promotes Self-Love In Celebration Of Singles’ Day With AliExpress
Hip-Hop and fashion collided on Wednesday evening (Nov. 8), as Swae Lee hosted and performed at a pop-up event to kick off AliExpress’ Singles’ Day Shopping Festival.
Guests who made their way to New York City’s SoHo district for the event were treated to an evening filled with music and libations with an opportunity to get an exclusive peak at items available for the e-commerce platform’s Singles’ Day sale. Wine and spirits flowed freely amid sounds from DJs angel + dren, Vashtie, and DJ Clark Kent. Rap icons Lil Kim and Slick Rick performed signature records from their catalogs, creating a festive pop-up experience for all in attendance.
Near the event’s conclusion, Swae Lee took the stage and performed a medley of his biggest hits while engaging with the crowd and allowing his charismatic nature to disarm the audience. As the face of AliExpress’ Singles’ Day campaign, the Grammy-nominated rapper and songwriter curated his own selection of 11 AliExpress items and met with the winners of a Tinder and BLK’s “match” contest.
The AliExpress Singles’ Day Shopping Pop Up is open daily from 12-9 p.m. at 69 Mercer Street in Soho from Nov. 9-Nov. 12, with Nov. 11 designated as Singles’ Day. Dubbed “the biggest shopping festival in the world,” Singles’ Day offers shoppers up to 50% off on items and various other sales and promotions. A time where people can tend to their own self-care and wellness.
VIBE spoke with Swae Lee about Singles’ Day, his forthcoming album Human Nature, practicing self care and appreciation in his personal and professional life, and more.
You’ve partnered with AliExpress as the face of their Singles’ Day Campaign. How did that collaboration come about?
Just shopping about, buying stuff, looking for a karaoke machine. We found that website. I had put it in “Guatemala” like (begins singing “Ali Baba”). So everything just made perfect sense.
What are some of the AliExpress items you picked for your personal collection and why?
I chose the karaoke machine so you could sing to your girl outside. Like if you find a girl that you like, you can put the karaoke machine outside and sing her a song and pull her. She’s gonna be yours, you ain’t gonna be single no more
What does Singles’ Day mean to you and how do you plan to celebrate?
Singles’ Day to me just means treating yourself. Self-love, basically. You don’t gotta look out for nobody else that day on that day, it’s for you. Save some money, you get some bargains. But yeah, it’s just self-love.
How would you describe the AliExpress pop-up shop that will be open to the public?
I describe it like better than a flea market. You’re gonna go in there, you’re gonna see stuff you didn’t even know you wanted. You’re gonna see stuff you didn’t even know you needed and you’re gonna look at the price tag and you’re not even gonna think it’s real. There’s no middlemen, you feel me? So everything you’re seeing is the best price.
You recently reunited with French Montana on the track “Wish U Well.” What was it like reconnecting with him?
Man, you know French is my brother. So it was great just locking back in, shooting some great visuals. Going to some places that people ain’t been before, people ain’t seen before and touching the people that live there. And it’s his birthday so happy birthday to my boy. I’m hope he’s enjoying his season. But yeah, it was dope. “Unforgettable,” we went to Uganda, we touched the people. We gave back to the people. This time, we went to Nigeria, so shout out to all the Nigerians. Just all the Africans in general, all the fans in general. That was dope, man. Go get that song now, “Wish U Well.”
You and French will forever be tied together due to the success and popularity of “Unforgettable.” Describe the relationship you’ve built over the years and how it’s blossomed?
Me and French, we made history with that record. It’s still one of the biggest songs to this day and you can play it anywhere. You can play it for kids, you can play it for moms, you can play it for anybody. It’s one of those universal songs. They don’t even got to speak English to feel that song. So yeah, man, shout out to French. Diamond sh*t, diamond records.
You performed with Metro Boomin at the MTV VMAs and his Red Bull Symphonic show. Describe your relationship and creative chemistry with Metro?
Yeah, shout out Metro Boomin. We got the Spider-Man songs, they’re doing really well. The fans are loving ’em. Me and Metro, we’re just locked in, two creatives from different walks in life that just always work well together. Hopefully, we get a tape out soon, we’ve been working on a project. So yeah, man, shout out Metro. It’s only the beginning.
How many songs y’all got in the can?
We got about nine or ten right now, but we’re gonna get back in. We’re gonna make about 30.
One of your more recent collabs is “Different Breed” with Latto and Mike WiLL Made-It. How did that song come to life?
Shout out Latto, shout on Mike WiLL Made-It. That particular record, Mike WiLL just played me that beat and it was just like I had to do something to it. So I ended up just locking in and Latto heard it. Latto did her thing, she blessed it. ESPN been running it all week, all month, like every day. So yeah, man, it’s lit.
You’ve got a hell of a resume. Two Diamond records, Grammy nominations, all that. Do you ever feel that gets overlooked or like you’re underrated? Or people don’t recognize the accolades?
I ain’t where I want to be. I ain’t finished, I ain’t even beginning yet. I look at it like I’m in a great place, though. A lot of people don’t make it here [or] even close to where I made it, did the things I did, so I’m not even waiting on the world. I even made myself proud. Eventually they’ll catch on, the ones that ain’t caught on yet, but it’s all gonna come in perfect time. I got more in the can, I got more gas in the tank.
You announced your album Human Nature a few years back. What’s the latest update on that?
Definitely coming with the debut. Human Nature on the way. I just got into a great situation so everything’s looking good, man. Everything’s lined up perfectly and I’m just trusting the timing. Like no time to waste. But I got something special for the people coming. I think it’s gonna change the world again.
Do you have a timetable for it?
Top of the year, for sure, for sure. Human Nature, top of the year. New album.
Any features on it? Producers?
Definitely some Metro, some Mike WiLL. I got a lot of underground homies too that I’ve been messing with and locked in with. Shout out to Jax, shout out Rari. But yeah, man. Stay tuned.
What’s next for Swae Lee and Rae Sremmurd?
Sremmurd, man, we’re coming crazy. We’re dropping more music. We not done. SremmLife, of course. Gotta keep the legacy going. Definitely more SremmLife albums on the way. We just dropped Sremm 4 Life so go get that if you ain’t heard it. Go catch up on that. And yeah, man, look out for more Sremmlife. Shout out Slim Jxxmi.
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