Swahv

Swahv is an umbrella of classic, eclectic, urban music and a revolutionary cultural movement. It is a brand of new “Northwest hip hop, Soul and Other genres.” It also blends “(Prophetic Rap)”, R&B, Blues and Jazz. The creation origin and main NW capital city is “Seattle (SEA 206).” Other greater surrounding cities (locations) in the NW metro area include “Tacoma, WA (TAC 253)”, “Federal Way, WA (FED WAY 253)”, “Everett, WA (EVT 425)”, “Portland, OR (PO 503)” and others. It officially (started in 07.07.2007) by the “NW Ambassadors” (A super group/constantly expanding crew) that started with “12+ affiliate acts” (abc order) like the "Twelve Disciples" and is led influentially by mostly local Christian urban acts and others. They brought flavor from other places, combining everything to make area bigger, to unite to put region on map) similar to the Dungeon Family and what they did with Atlanta (Joining Forces To Fight Evil).

Definition, History & Story

The name of the genre is the word "suave" respelled the way it sound’s (Pronounced Suave or Suave’). It means to be smooth, charming, graceful, mature, classy, cool, laid back, fresh, and real. Also it’s a moral way of living and is presented through the lyrical content. The idea started through the observation of the local scene’s sound and style. Many say that it locally blends West and East Coast influences together as well as others to add their own twist. From pass to present, even the older acts had a common feel, but no one knew it at the time. The mood of the people is laid back, mellow, and organic by showing through everything, especially the music. It may be due to the fact that they live near plenty of water, which is one of the reasons why they call it Seattle, but as soon as the puzzle was put together, it made finally made since. (Music from the people, for the people!)(fill in gaps that have been missing for generations)

Background & Struggles

3 Main Factors: Faith, Unity & Timing

Fear has halted many local talented people, extending beyond music from being different and successful. What has stopped Seattle as well as the Northwest from blowing is three main factors, “Faith”, “Unity” and “Timing.” First, the “Faith” factor includes many local people not representing city (perpetrators), not making the city tight, not having drive (not serious), not having originality, not thinking, not wanting to be rejected to be respected, not trying to pay a price, yet people want what others sacrificed. Secondly, the “Unity” factor includes lack of community (spread out and isolated), lack of support (people putting no one on), lack of un-selfishness (people wanting to blow on their own) and lack of people being on the same page. (Everyone has to have a crew, especially if your trying to make a mark, even Jesus had a crew, the disciples. No one can do it alone). Thirdly, the “Timing” factor includes lack of consistency (people being lazy), being passive and politics (city develops greats in other fields, but doesn’t get credit).

Vision & Solution

The areas non-credit may be due to the lack of real hoods compared to other cities, but people will see and go to this area to get equipped instead appealing to what society thinks. Urban culture will just be used as a tool to back it up. This movement will shape and stamp the NW’s original (sound, dance, fashion, slang, cars), attitude and other as well as touching the world. Using the local smarts and wealth to develop instead of pretending to act tough. The main goal comes down to “Do”, not “Talk”, bring people together through role-play, not individuality, make the urban scene known, and understand that God is preserving the NW metro area for the believers, but not limited to. Last but not least, the goal is to restore faith to all urban culture’s and the world. (A new swagger and mental toughness will be developed).

Culture

Sound

Difference between the Northwest & West Coast

The state’s of Washington and Oregon (NW) differs from California's (W) by these points. The NW’s sound is more soul/jazz and the West’s is more funk/club. Also the NW is more positive and uplifting compared to the West’s Gangster Rap/Mobb Music. With respect to both areas, their both just being real to what happens in their scenes.

Controversy

Rock or Urban

There have been misconceptions on that fact that Seattle and The Northwest is just one genre. It’s more than “Rock” and “Hip Hop” will prove it. What people don’t understand is that what “Sub Pop” did with “Grunge”, any “urban label” can do with “Hip Hop.” It just takes a plan; Grunge wouldn’t exist if Sub Pop didn’t exist. Therefore Seattle wouldn’t be known for Rock. Too many people go off of what they see now, instead of understanding that things that exist physically, didn’t before.
Seattle was known for a Jazz and Blues scene before Rock came into play. That’s the sound that resurrected into the urban scene. This is why the local area is known for all other business industries except urban (By the urban field not getting recognized in the past). The reason why many people who we’re too down to do anything was because gaps weren’t being filled (in all fields across the board). This may be why Seattle has one of, if not the highest suicide rates in the US. Now it’s changing because fulfillment and restoration is on the rise.

Secular or Sacred

In the local scene, few fans seem to be behind any of the urban “Secular” acts. Surprisingly, the “Sacred” acts have managed to have the whole area behind them.

Who really put Seattle on the map?

There’s also been controversy on weather Sir Mix-A-Lot really put the NW on the map for Hip Hop. Cause he didn’t put anyone on and he was close to a 1 hit wonder. Therefore no NW urban act has achieved consistent mainstream success yet. So this left many locals having to start from scratch. This tucked away place will be one of the last places in the US to be released. Once this happens it may produce a “TNT effect” that may spark other areas to blow. Some don’t think this city will blow because they gave in. But that will soon change and doubters may turn into haters, if their perspective doesn’t change.

What locations are included in the Northwest?

To clear some confusion, the “Pacific Northwest” refers to mainly the Puget Sound area. This includes Western Washington/Oregon. Eastern Washington and Idaho are considered to be the “Mountain West.” Even though Canada is close, it is not included, just in the US. Even though Portland is not in WA State it’s included cause it’s so close that it borders the area, it’s near the Puget Sound and has the second biggest population in the NW.

Seattle v.s. Tacoma, Why?

All surrounding cities have acknowledged Seattle as the main city except Tacoma. That’s why it’s been in it’s own bubble and maybe behind on some things. They refuse to allow the city to help them to success. Historically, every successful act, no matter the genre has either been from, or has accepted Seattle, at some point. It’s okay for them to represent their section, but until they acknowledge the biggest market in the NW. Their success will be limited.
Seattle was founded as a city first, biggest population in the NW and has the only major landmark in the NW that is recognized around the world, the “Space Needle.” For example, Portland has to acknowledge Seattle not only because it’s the second biggest city in the NW, but also there’s more than one city in the US and the world, with the same name so people outside the area mainly think of Seattle as the NW and they support the Mariners and Seahawks since they don’t have a pro baseball/football team. Seattle may end up supporting the Blazers if the Sonics move. This brought unity between the cities. Things go in the order as it started historically. Whatever comes first is where it must start.
Another great example of this is when everything started, every area code in Western Washington was "(206)". "(253)", "(425)" and others didn’t even exist. The only other area code at the time was "(509)", which was in Eastern Washington, a different part of the states half. Also the main reason why people added new area codes was because the population grew. Once Tacoma humbles them selves to submit to Seattle. Then you’ll see more changes and more movement or they’ll miss the boat. Only reason why their population got bigger was because Seattleites moved there over a period of time and got pushed back south, in the future, it might be the biggest hood in WA. Also people out of state only know mainly “Seattle”, they only refer to “Tacoma” for the airport.
Examples of other areas coming together include, Decatur, College Park and other cities come together for (Atlanta, GA). Inglewood, Compton and other cities come together for (Los Angeles, CA). Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and other cities come together for (New York, NY). Oakland, Vallejo, San Francisco, Northern California came together for the (Bay Area, CA). The state of Florida put the whole Miami-Dade County on for (Miami). The Twin cities came together for (Minneapolis) That’s how Tacoma should look at it for the Northwest Territory. The legendary band Nirvana was a part of the Sub Pop, Seattle Rock Movement and they were from Aberdeen, WA, that’s further that Tacoma. Including the Northwest, there’s still 8-10 different sup regions in the US to reach fame.

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