Earl Swavey
Earl Swavey | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Earl Hatton |
| Born | December 8, 1995 Compton, California |
| Died | January 9, 2022 (aged 26) Downtown Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | West Coast hip hop |
| Years active | 2013–2022 |
| Labels | Swave Music Group |
Earl Hatton (December 8, 1995 – January 9, 2022), also known as Earl Swavey, was an American rapper. A noted figure in the West Coast hip hop scene, he was first noticed and mentored by A$AP Yams, releasing a plethora of projects. He died in 2022, after being shot in possible gang activity.
Early life
Earl Hatton was born on December 8, 1995, in Compton, California. His father died when he was a two years old, so he was raised by a single mother. While still young, Swavey was inspired by his brother rapping; his cousin was also rapper Jay Rock.[1][2][3]
Career
Swavey ventured into the rap scene by first releasing the mixtape Business Before Pleasure (BBP) in 2013. One of its songs, "Beef", led to A$AP Yams getting in touch with him and mentoring him. In 2021, he dropped three albums, Unphuckwithable, Gangland 4, and The Dirtiest.[1][2][3][4]
Influences and artistry
Swavey was influenced by the artists T.I., Rick Ross, and 50 Cent.[1][2][3]
Death
Swavey died on January 9, 2022. An autopsy report later stated that he was driving a car with multiple passengers outside a party in Downtown Los Angeles when he was shot in the back but an unknown assailant and crashed into a parked motorhome. The head trauma Swavey sustained from the collision was a contributing factor in his death along with the gunshot wound. A detective for the Los Angeles Police Department stated that it was most likely that a passenger in Swavey's vehicle shot first before others fired back, in gang-related activities.[5][6]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Unphuckwitable |
|
| Gangland 4 |
|
| The Dirtiest |
|
Mixtapes
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Yurple Rain |
|
| 2 Way Swave |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Big Soldier" (with P2) | 2017 | Non-album singles |
| "No Sleep" (with Bobby Luv and Nutty Boy) | 2018 | |
| "Jigga man" | 2021 | Unphuckwitable |
| "Warm Up" | ||
| "Shit Talkin" (with I4 Get the Ends) | Non-album singles |
References
- ^ a b c Minsker, Evan (January 11, 2022). "Earl Swavey, Los Angeles Rapper, Dies at 26". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ a b c Blanchet, Brenton (January 11, 2022). "LA-Based Rapper Earl Swavey Dies at 26". Complex. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ a b c Moore, Sam (January 11, 2022). "Rapper Earl Swavey dies aged 26". The Independent. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Saint-Vil, Sweenie (January 12, 2022). "LA rapper Earl Swavey passes away". Revolt. Archived from the original on October 15, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Dillon, Nancy (July 12, 2022). "Rapper Earl Swavey Was Shot While Piloting Car That Crashed, Autopsy Says". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Centeno, Tony M. (July 12, 2022). "Rapper Earl Swavey's Cause Of Death Revealed Following Autopsy Report". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2025.