SwayvoTwain released his latest single, “HookahSmoke,” on Saturday, February 14th, marking a distinct shift in tone from his previous work, according to a press release and reports from REVOLT and Archyde.
The Columbia, South Carolina-based artist’s latest track, produced by Mannie House, embraces a celebratory and club-focused sound. This contrasts sharply with “DoveSoar,” a song that explored themes of loss and remembrance following the deaths of his parents, singer Angie Stone and musician D’Angelo. “HookahSmoke” features lyrics reflecting a confident, luxurious lifestyle, with lines like “Sizeable ole playa, you can notify it in my pinky ring / Big ole section, man, this right here fit for a king,” as reported by REVOLT.
SwayvoTwain has emphasized his intention to create music that evokes feeling, regardless of genre constraints. Before the release of “HookahSmoke,” he shared preview clips on social media, including a tribute to D’Angelo on what would have been the artist’s 52nd birthday, February 11th. He referenced a quote from D’Angelo – “I never claimed I do neo-soul… I do black music” – and followed with his own statement about his artistic approach, as detailed in REVOLT. “Every interview I do, they ask, ‘What kind of music do you make?’ And I never recognize what to say. I wouldn’t really put [it] in a genre, but I do make songs that provide you a feeling,” SwayvoTwain explained. “Whether it’s good, bad, or makes you reflect, the goal is just to make you feel SOMETHING. If you do that, then my job is done.”
“DoveSoar” was a deeply personal tribute, lamenting the loss of his parents with lyrics such as “Promise me one thing, please don’t let go of my hand… / How the hell you gon’ exit me all alone?” REVOLT noted that “HookahSmoke” demonstrates SwayvoTwain’s ability to exist in the present moment without feeling the need to constantly explain his experiences through his music. The new single offers a more immediate and carefree vibe, highlighted by the chorus’s invitation, “Baby girl, what you on?”
SwayvoTwain’s Instagram profile, which has over 70,000 followers, currently features a post dedicated to his late parents, stating “DNA LL @theangiestone 4L 🕊️ LL @thedangelo 4L 🕊️” and listing Mannie House as his manager.
