The Malibu alternative/indie pop/alt rap sensation Shwayze tells VIPER about his creative process and what inspired his song ‘Buzzin”…

What five words define your sound?

Chill, authentic, breezy, California, vibes.

Tell me something unique about your creative process

I love creating by the beach; the waves and breeze inspire my flow.

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

‘Buzzin’’ – it captures the essence of my sound and story.

What inspired you to make that song?

The carefree, sunburnt summers in Malibu inspired ‘Buzzin’’.

What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

Best: Connecting with fans singing every word. Worst: Technical issues mid-performance.

What is your favourite song to perform?

‘Get U Home’ – it always gets the crowd going.

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D’s ‘In Search Of…’

What’s the meaning behind your name?

I don’t know – I want people to hear it and think of good times!

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

Probably something creative, like fashion design or photography.

What’s success to you?

Success to me is achieving a fulfilling career while also being a loving and engaged father, creating a harmonious balance between both.

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?

When I faced a major setback with a previous record label, it made me reassess my career goals and focus on building my independent brand.

Where can people keep in touch with you?

You can find me on Instagram @shwayze or visit my website, shwayze.com.