THE FAST TIMES AND HIGH CRIMES OF A HIP-HOP GRIFTER
RollingStone India|August 2023
SWAGG MAN'S OPULENT LIFESTYLE LED TO A MASSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING. NOW, HE'S ACCUSED OF SWINDLING HIS OWN FANS.
MARC WORTMAN
THE FAST TIMES AND HIGH CRIMES OF A HIP-HOP GRIFTER

“WHO’S SWAGG MAN??” the 36-year-old rapper currently wanted by the law poses the question to himself in a text to me. “I was born an artist … Swagg Man is a fictif [fictional] guy. Same like all artist[s].”

I’ve been trying to talk to Swagg Man for weeks. He says we will meet in Paris; then he says Miami, where he can show me his car collection. Finally, unable to get him to fix a time and place, we speak for two hours via Zoom. He claims that this is his first time speaking to the press in six years, though even that is questionable.

Facing me in sunglasses and a backward black baseball cap, he’s a charismatic figure. In his music videos, he comes across as handsome and lithe, in high-gloss designer wear and bejeweled accessories, striking poses, moving and dancing fluidly, often breaking into a raucous, almost delirious laugh, his klieg-light smile lighting up against his countless tats. In person, he is far calmer, speaking in a smoothly pleasing tenor that registers far higher in his songs.

“I never do something for the money,” Swagg Man insists to me. When someone says it’s not for the money, it’s usually for the money. And few people love money like Swagg Man. In post after post, he caresses cash, licks his piles of jewels, and dances on his Bentley and his Lambo. “I do something for the pleasure,” he continues, “for the passion first, and the money comes after.”

Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av RollingStone India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av RollingStone India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ROLLINGSTONE INDIASe alt
SPICE WORLD
RollingStone India

SPICE WORLD

Ice Spice ignored the haters, commanded our attention, and became a new kind of star. Next up: a great debut album

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2024
Pritam: THE HIT MAKER
RollingStone India

Pritam: THE HIT MAKER

INSIDE THE MIND OF HINDI FILM MUSIC DIRECTOR PRITAM CHAKRABORTY, WHO RECENTLY WON HIS FIRST NATIONAL AWARD FOR BRAHMASTRA: PART ONE - SHIVA, ON HOW HE CREATES SCORES THAT ENDURE AND SONGS THAT CLOCK MILLIONS OF STREAMS

time-read
10 mins  |
October 2024
K-Drama Flashback: 'My Name'
RollingStone India

K-Drama Flashback: 'My Name'

'My Name,' starring Han So-hee in the titular role, deftly subverts gender norms in society via a story of relentless fight for revenge

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
LAST NIGHT I DREAMT I WENT TO SILENT HILL AGAIN
RollingStone India

LAST NIGHT I DREAMT I WENT TO SILENT HILL AGAIN

The 'Silent Hill 2' Remake has you returning to that restless dream from 23 years ago

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2024
FIFTY FIFTY: 'WE'LL CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR BEST SELVES'
RollingStone India

FIFTY FIFTY: 'WE'LL CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR BEST SELVES'

Fifty Fifty's single 'Cupid' was a viral hit. The K-pop girl group is back with renewed vigor, releasing its new album, 'Love Tune.' The following interview covers details, insights, and anecdotes

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
EXCISE DEPT: 'IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CREATE STRONG, BOLD CONTRASTS'
RollingStone India

EXCISE DEPT: 'IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CREATE STRONG, BOLD CONTRASTS'

From An Armory Of Instruments To Personal Stories Told With An Uncharacteristic Straightforwardness, The Delhi/Goa Band Are Taking Over The World With Their Latest Full-Length

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Mali is Heading to SXSW Sydney in October
RollingStone India

Mali is Heading to SXSW Sydney in October

For the longest time I have known that my music has a significant market outside the country,' says the Chennai/Mumbai pop artist

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Ji Chang-wook, Lee Jun-ho, and Cha Eun-woo to Star in Superhero K-Dramas
RollingStone India

Ji Chang-wook, Lee Jun-ho, and Cha Eun-woo to Star in Superhero K-Dramas

Features the upcoming 'Twelve,' 'Cashero,' and 'The Wonder Fools' with the Korean stars in exciting new roles

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Yoon Seobin Makes a Stylish Comeback with 'Rizz'
RollingStone India

Yoon Seobin Makes a Stylish Comeback with 'Rizz'

The Korean actor and singer well-known for starring in the K-drama Kissable Lips' returns to the music scene after a 10 months hiatus

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Markio Tanaldo Pours Out Emotions in 'Mera Koi Na'
RollingStone India

Markio Tanaldo Pours Out Emotions in 'Mera Koi Na'

The Arunachal Pradesh singer-songwriter's second release is a poignant Hindi song that pays tribute to his late father

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024