16 Things You Need To Know About Sway

1. 1) Sway's real name is Derek Andrew Safo.

Sway's real name is Derek Andrew Safo and his was born on 5th September 1982 in Hornsey, North London.

2. 2) He started producing music when he was still at school.

Sway attended Highgate Wood Secondary School and it was there where he began producing music, using the school's equipment to work on collaborations with local artists.

3. 3) Sway's first big track 'On My Own' was released under the name Sway DaSafo.

4. 4) Sway's determination to get noticed saw him independently release two mixtapes.

5. 5) In 2005, Sway was named Best Hip-Hop Newcomer at the Mobo Awards, beating 50 Cent.

The rapper beat two US heavyweights - 50 Cent and The Game - to take home the award, despite having not released an album.

6. 6) Sway's debut album 'This Is My Demo' was released in 2006.

The album achieved critical acclaim, with one review hailing it as the "best British rap album in years". Sway produced more than 50 per cent of the album himself.

7. 7) 'This Is My Demo' was selected as one of the Mercury Prize Albums Of The Year in 2005.

Only 12 albums each year are shortlisted for the prize, with Sway's album losing out to Arctic Monkeys' 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'.

8. 8) Sway has enjoyed a close relationship with The Streets.

As well as supporting The Streets, Sway also appeared on The Mitchell Brothers' single 'Harvey Nicks' with The Streets' Mike Skinner

9. 9) Sway has his own production company, DCypha Productions.

Based in London, the label is also affiliated to Akon’s Konvict Muzik label.

10. 10) He has featured in three British films.

Sway's most recent film appearance came in 2012's The Grind, which also starred street magician Dynamo.

11. 11) Sway won Best International Act at the BET Awards in 2007.

Not only did Sway win, it was also the first time that a UK artist had been nominated for the award.

12. 12) Sway's second album 'The Signature LP' included collaborations with Akon and I Blame Coco.

The album saw Sway expand his musical horizons even further, hooking up with Akon and I Blame Coco - the daughter of singer Sting - on his second record.

13. 13) You need to check out his mixtapes 'The Delivery' and 'The Delivery 2'.

Following the release of his second album, Sway returned to work on two mixtapes - 'The Delivery 1 & 2' - which saw him refocus on his music with some big name collaborators.

14. 14) He recently released the EP 'Wake Up'.

15. 15) It features 'No Sleep' a collaboration with YouTube star and rapper KSI.

The YouTube sensation makes a guest rap appearance on the track, which has received over two million views on YouTube.

16. 16) Sway is currently working on his third album 'The Deliverance'.

We can't wait!