The Breakfast Club: Swae Lee Interview – “Same Difference,” Going Solo, Diamond Records, Politics, & More

Date: April 3, 2026
Podcast: The Breakfast Club (The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts)
Guests/Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, La Rose

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club features an in-depth interview with Swae Lee, one half of the group Rae Sremmurd, as he celebrates the long-awaited release of his debut solo album, Same Difference. The conversation spans his unique career journey, creative process, songwriting legacy, collaborations, struggles with industry pressures, and a highly candid discussion about political controversies surrounding his public statements. Swae Lee also reflects on his personal growth, relationships, and maintaining relevance in an ever-changing industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Swae Lee's Solo Journey & Album (00:29-03:28)

• Delay of Solo Debut
  Swae Lee discusses why it took so long to release his solo album, despite years of anticipation and several massive singles.

  • "I think I got a unique career. Like, nobody ever had a career like that. Like, billion-stream songs and then like, no album." (00:38, Swae Lee)
  • Being loyal to Rae Sremmurd and always circling back to group projects delayed his solo work.
  • Now, after 8 years, he drops Same Difference.

• Musical Diversity in 'Same Difference'

  • The album blends pop, trap, Afrobeat, R&B, and more:
    "I just kept it really like my sound and just like the songs, like I put out like pop songs, like trap songs, like party music, you know what I'm saying? Afro songs. So it’s just like a real... gumbo." (02:11, Swae Lee)
  • Swae Lee embraces his versatility, aiming to bridge his varied fan bases (Sunflower, Black Beatles, Unforgettable).

• Defining Swae Lee’s Sound

  • He sees no limit to his style:
    "I could turn around and do a country song tomorrow... all my fans, they come from different demographics... I'm just connecting all the dots." (02:59, Swae Lee)

2. Songwriting, Smash Hits, and Industry Tales (03:28-13:38)

• The “Unforgettable” Controversy (03:28-05:56)

  • Swae Lee explains how Unforgettable started as his song before French Montana released it.
    • "It's not really like stealing it, but it's like, he definitely contacted me. It's kind of like finesse. Like, he finessed it... as long as it gets its proper look." (04:42, Swae Lee)
    • Ultimately, he’s happy with the outcome:
      "I ain't really tripping. I got like 20 of these on my computer." (05:04, Swae Lee)
    • The song's wild success (diamond status) affirmed his gifts as a hitmaker.

• Life as “The Hook Guy” and Ghostwriting

  • Swae Lee embraces his reputation as “Captain Hook.”
    • "I think that's a great compliment... I'm running with it. I'm continuing the legacy." (08:19, Swae Lee)
  • He enjoys both the spotlight and the anonymity of ghostwriting smash records:
    "Just getting money, like, just mysterious money... people not even knowing you wrote it..." (08:42, Swae Lee)
  • Notably contributed to Beyoncé’s "Formation":
    "There's some stuff on there... 'Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation.'" (09:23, Swae Lee)

• On Writing for Women and Star Collaborations

  • Initially found writing for female artists "algebra 3" level hard, but learned to get in their mindset.
  • Collaborations with artists like Travis Scott, Beyoncé, French Montana, and Jhené Aiko underpin his diverse reach.

Notable Moment (with humor):

"They had me come to the studio and, like, write for a female artist, and I'm just, like, totally lost. I'm like, my ass fat... how do I write for a female artist?... Like, algebra 3." (10:48, Swae Lee)

3. Creative Growth & Relationships (13:38-22:11)

• Collaborations & Chemistry with Jhené Aiko (14:08-15:37)

  • Their work on "Sativa" and "Mural" is highlighted as effortless and natural: "It's dope, peanut butter, and jelly... I want to do a whole, like, project with Shorty." (15:28, Swae Lee)

• Creative Independence vs. Rae Sremmurd

  • Both solo and group careers continue in parallel; sees Rae Sremmurd as a 'Jordan brand' that keeps releasing "new seasons."
    • "We started challenges... It's like a Jordan brand... slim jimmy like a Jordan 9. You know, say I'm like a Jordan 14." (07:02, Swae Lee)
  • No conflict with Slim Jimmy over solo ambitions.

• Process of Choosing Album Tracks

  • Mixes old and new records for Same Difference; ensures cohesion. "Just finding songs that are cohesive, that make sense together and still, like, different genres, that was... a crazy process." (20:45, Swae Lee)

4. Viral Moments, Challenges, and Staying Relevant (16:07-22:11)

• Going Viral: Black Beatles & More

  • The “Mannequin Challenge” started organically with fans – Swae didn’t initiate it. "The fans... that's what they did when they listened to the song... fingers crossed every time you drop..." (16:52, Swae Lee)

• Impact of Global Fame

  • Being a “hood pop star,” records like “Unforgettable” and “Sunflower” opened new career lanes.
  • Sees himself making more "stadium songs" and timeless anthems.

• Lost Hard Drives and Industry Setbacks

  • Has faced theft and data loss but usually recovers files, thanks to backups.
    • "That was crazy... this dude was going live with my hard drive... I lost a couple laptops... that's never a good feeling." (17:59-19:03, Swae Lee)

• Creative Output

  • Constantly creates, with “five, six songs a day.” For unused tracks, sometimes lets others use them. "I just let that happen organically... Either I'm gonna drop it or somebody else can use it..." (22:00, Swae Lee)

5. Personal Life, Fame & Peace (22:30-25:38)

• Maintaining Peace

  • Peace for Swae Lee is a day off, massages, backyard chilling, or playing PlayStation. "Peace. Peace. Day off, you know what I'm saying? Getting a massage... Literally not doing nothing." (22:56, Swae Lee)
  • Relishes downtime in between the grind of touring and promo.

• Fame & Relationships

  • Admits to being guarded due to fame:
    "Paranoid up for sure because you never know people’s intentions." (23:38, Swae Lee)
  • Trust and jealousy can affect romantic relationships. "Even if they fans or not, [my girl] gonna feel some type of way..." (23:38, Swae Lee)
  • No major split from Slim Jimmy – always understood he'd go solo.

6. Mental Health, ADHD, and Creativity (25:32-26:38)

• ADHD & Creativity
  • Not officially diagnosed, but identifies with ADHD traits. "I'm not... I know my brain work different... it's for people who think different." (25:41, Swae Lee)
  • Embraces how hyper-focus and “voices in his head” fuel his creative genius.
    • "You're creative. You probably hear beats in your head all the time, hear hooks in your head, all your voices, bro." (26:09, Charlamagne Tha God)
    • "They translate... to hits. For real." (26:35, Swae Lee)

7. Swae Lee on Politics & The Kamala Harris Controversy (27:34-47:02)

• Political Social Media Fallout

  • Swae Lee addresses having told people "Do not vote for Kamala" during the election. He clarifies:
    • "I don't hate Kamala Harris. I don't love no politician though. Like, because think about it. If he was the president, like, it should be easy to get, like, people a sense of relief..." (27:45, Swae Lee)
    • He distances himself from all politicians, emphasizing doing personal research rather than showing blind support.
    • "If I could go back, I would probably reword it a little bit. I wouldn't even say it. I wouldn't even have spoke about politics." (32:44, Swae Lee)
    • Admits post was based on surface-level research: "I just started doing my own research. Like, just looking. Just Googling..." (43:14, Swae Lee)
    • Acknowledges his platform’s influence and regret: "People not taking my political advice, you know what I'm saying? It's like, that's just my opinion... I just was seeing some that rubbed me the wrong way..." (41:41, Swae Lee)
    • Will not take campaign money, even from Trump: "All money ain't good... it's not good money, and I don't support that..." (34:04, Swae Lee)
    • Draws attention to systemic inequality and hopes for "a real political candidate who will bring positive change" (29:58, Swae Lee).

• Candidness About Regret

  • Candidly says he would’ve been better off staying out of politics:
    • "I probably shouldn’t have said that statement though, for sure. Like, I'm not even speaking on politics..." (31:02, Swae Lee)
    • "Just don't even say it. Don't even type it. Turn your X off. Turn your Twitter off." (40:36, Swae Lee)

8. Memorable/Telling Moments

• On Getting Paid to Post
  "Because you would've seen me with a MAGA hat on too." (34:36, Swae Lee)

• Refusing Performance Offers
  "One time was like 90 bands just to come perform or some sht... but all money ain't good, and it's not good money, and I don't support that..."* (34:04, Swae Lee)

• Reflection on Enduring Relevance
  "I'm grateful blessed because I didn't seen it happen a lot of times. Like, gone here today, gone tomorrow... All the songs age well with people." (39:05, Swae Lee)

• Advice Learned from the Industry
  "Don't speak on certain sht. I mean, they want to kill you if you have an opinion these days. It's crazy."* (40:24, Swae Lee)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I'm just being myself. And that's how I really am." (02:37, Swae Lee)

• "Captain Hook, you know what I'm saying? So I'm running with them. I'm continuing the legacy..." (08:19, Swae Lee)

• "I'm like a hood pop star, you know what I'm saying?...definitely I'm gonna keep dropping those type songs, like stadium songs, songs that sound like they belong in movies." (16:19, Swae Lee)

• "I want the exact same people. I want the exact same thing the average American wants..." (47:02, Swae Lee)

• "I want positive change for the people. I'm standing with the people, you know what I'm saying?...send a billion dollars to another country, like that just pissed me off..." (47:02, Swae Lee)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction and Album Talk: 00:29–03:28
• 'Unforgettable' Story and Hitmaking: 03:28–06:14
• Creative Identity and Ghostwriting: 06:18–13:38
• Collaborations and Growth: 13:38–15:37
• Timelessness and Challenges: 16:07–17:43
• Lost Hard Drives and Data Recovery: 17:54–19:44
• Peace, Relationships, and Fame: 22:30–25:38
• ADHD/Creativity Discussion: 25:32–26:38
• Politics, Social Media, and Regret: 27:34–47:02
• Industry Lessons: 40:21–40:47
• Outro and Final Comments: 41:10–47:02

Tone and Flow

Swae Lee is candid, affable, and self-deprecating throughout, often joking about his fame, past relationships, and mistakes. He speaks with humility about his career, pride in his craft, and directness when reflecting on his political missteps. The hosts maintain their trademark playful banter while pressing for clarity on controversies.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Same Difference is a product of Swae Lee’s multifaceted musical journey, blending everything from trap to pop to afrobeats.
• His songwriting and hooks are behind some of the past decade’s biggest hits—often uncredited.
• He’s unfiltered about the politics of fame, the pitfalls of social media, and the pressure of public life.
• Swae Lee’s message: Stay vigilant, think for yourself, and don’t take everything at face value—even from your favorite artists.