Sway - Little Derek/Up Your Speed Audio

Charismatic emcee and producer Sway has spent 2005 taking the UK music scene by storm. He now enters 2006 and the next phase of his master plan by releasing 'This Is My Demo', his full debut album that proves why he's one of British music's hottest properties.

A master of his own destiny and truly self-made artist 23 year-old Sway, aka Derek Safo, is a man with a musical plan coupled with the talent and ability to back it up. He holds the crown of the rapidly expanding UK street mixtape scene having outsold all other contenders with his two acclaimed 'This Is My Promo' mixtapes. This success has seen him win 'Best Hip-Hop Artist' at the MOBOs, 'Best Newcomer' at the Urban Music Awards, and walk away with 'Best of British' from the Channel U Awards.

Sway's game-plan has always been to independently release his initial trinity of key releases [the two This Is My Promo mixtapes and his full debut album] in order to retain full control, establish a fan-base and build his identity as an artist prior to signing on any dotted lines. Releasing through his own self-run Dcypha label, Sway's proving that unsigned definitely doesn't mean unsuccessful.

This Is My Demo is a triumphant and truly British cross-pollination of influences that showcases just what makes Sway so special. Encapsulating a plethora of ideas, originality and creativity, the album draws on a broad range of musical styles including hip-hop, grime, soul and pop to create a sound that matches the freshness and originality of Sway's lyrics. Sway produces half of the 14 tracks himself, proving his natural abilities behind the mixing board as well as in the vocal booth. His witty flow and distinctive rhymes cover subjects as diverse as credit card debt [Flo Fashion], downloading music [Download], a child's imagination [Sick World], city living [Products]. On one track Sway even goes as far as adopting the persona of a husband within a violent and abusive relationship [Pretty Ugly Husband].

Already one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2006, This Is My Demo will be released on 6th February, with the largely autobiographical 'Little Derek' single preceding it on 16th January. After the critical acclaim, awards and talk about Sway, his full debut album is now here to demonstrate just what all the fuss is about.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the end of the beginning…

Release Date: 06.02.06

CD:
1. This is My Demo
2. Products
3. Hype Boys
4. Little Derek
5. Pretty Ugly Husband
6. Flo Fashion
7. Up Your Speed
8. Download
9. Loose Woose
10. Sick World
11. Still On My Own
12. Back For You
Bonus Tracks:
13. Slo Down
14. Month In The Summer

TOUR DATES

Thurs 9th - Watford, UK Uncovered @ Destiny
Fri 10th - Swindon, Brunel Rooms £6/8, 01793 531 384
Sun 12th - Edinburgh, Urbanscot @ Liquid Rooms 0131 220 3234
Thurs 16th - Cambridge, Rawganics @ The Junction £7.50, 01223 511 511
Fri 17th - Hereford, Lock Up £7.50
Sat 18th - Oxford, Covern II £8-10, 01865 242 770
Sun 19th - Colchester, Level 2 @ University of Essex £7.50, 01206 863 236
Thurs 23rd - Liverpool, No Fakin' @ Academy 2 £8, 08707 112 000
Fri 24th - Barrow-In-Furness, Media & Arts Centre 0870 330 3131
Sat 25th - Leicester, Haymarket Theatre [under 18's] £5-7, 0870 330 3131
Mon 27th - Derby, Assembly Rooms [under 18's] £5-7, 01332 255 800
Tues 28th - Nottingham, Theatre Royal Centre [under 18's] £5-7, 0115 989 5555