ROMEO SWAG TALKS PLAYING AFROFUTURE, MAMPROBI & HSB
Less words, More actions — is the mantra of Ghanaian artist Romeo Swag, a burgeoning act who describes his hip-hop influenced sounds as genre jumping. Sitting with 730 Magazine, we discuss his spotlight on Afrofuture #risingstar, HSB label mates and the impact of his community.
730 Mag: Thank you for joining us today! The new year just began, how are you enjoying it so far?
Romeo Swag: So far so good, I’ve got my eyes on the grounds observing the community.
730 Mag: Awesome, what should we expect from you this year 2024? New music, events, collaborations?
Romeo Swag: Yeah hopefully, the team is still brainstorming but fingers crossed. This year me then my fans for jam.
730 Mag: That’s cool. Let’s talk about Romeo Swag, the Artiste. How would you describe yourself? (for the benefit of new listeners out there).
Romeo Swag: Like I always say I go by the name Romeo Swag aka Mampppproobi. I’m an artist that likes to preach his truth through the music hoping to give you the same emotion I felt whilst recording. Music is spiritual if you know what I mean
730 Mag: Your tag, Mampppproobi!, is widely used in your freestyle videos. Tell us, how have these two elements been instrumental in your journey?
Romeo Swag: Mamprobi is where I’m from, that’s where I have been all my life. So Mamprobi is me and I am Mamprobi. It’s part of the reason I am Romeo Swag today because experiences within the community especially, is what has shaped me to be who I am today so yeah Mamprobi for life. And for the freestyles I was honestly just having fun making rap videos but it ended up creating a cult following for me on social media platforms. That sort of kick started my journey into the music world
730 Mag: 2023 you graced so many stages and shared quality music with your fans. What would you mention as your top highlights (2023) as an artist?
Romeo Swag: My top highlights would be the clean up I did in my neighbourhood with my assemblyman, and of course my performance at Manifestivities and Afrofuture
730 Mag: Yes! Congratulations on your spotlight on the Afrofuture #RisingStar Top 5. What was the experience like, performing on such a big stage?
Romeo Swag: It was great! They have a very wonderful responsive crowd, and at one point they were even dancing with us. Big shoutouts to Afrofuture and Tunecore for making that happen
730 Mag: Hope to see you on bigger stages this year. So Romeo, let’s make a playlist with 5 of your best songs from your catalogue
Romeo Swag: My top 5 picks would be Diamonds, Too Sure, Patience, I VEX, I DAZE
730 Mag: By the way, what are Romeo Swag fans called??
Romeo Swag: Haha! I don’t have a name yet but the fan base is called SwagGang for now
730 Mag: And when you are not creating music, who would you say you listen to for inspiration?
Romeo Swag: Most likely Tory Lanez and Sarkodie for the music and Michael Jackson and Terry Bonchaka for the dance moves
730 Mag: Tell us about your group — Harley Street Boys (HSB). Is it a signed label group? What is the dynamic of the group in your music journey?
Romeo Swag: HSB team — is not signed to a label, we are the label. Apart from being a music group, we are also a creative collective. From musicians to producers to videographers and whatever creative you can think of. We are just known for the music more.
730 Mag: We recently heard about the passing of your friend and label mate (May he rest in peace). How has that impacted the label and yourself ?
Romeo Swag: That was a hard hit to the team, may he Rest In Peace Jack Saiko. Knowing Saiko he would have loved for us to keep moving forward so even though it’s been hard we’ve kept moving forward.
730 Mag: That’s awesome! With your experiences as an artist in this industry, what would you say has been your most difficult phase? How can Ghanaians support your growth in the industry?
Romeo Swag: I think marketing has been the most challenging phase for me. Music is a product that needs to be well marketed and without proper funding it’s but difficult but we go figure it out, trust and believe. My fans can share my works when they come across it, send it to your friends, post it on all your socials, mention and tag me, attend my events and events I’m billed on. Basically show me real love.
730 Mag: That’s wassup! But before you go, could you tell us more about In Tha Dunmli. Is it an event? A tape? And would there be more…
Romeo Swag: Okay so Dunmli the term directly means darkness in Ga for us it means working in the dark for your light to shine outside . The Dunmli Tape franchise is owned by HSB and we recently dropped the second instalment. IN THA DUNMLI however is an annual show I organise in November and we just did the second edition which was the RAGE EDITION — mad ting by the way. If anything go happen you will see it in our actions.
730 Mag: Thank you so much for your time. This was a great conversation.
Romeo Swag: The pleasure is mine.
