What Happened to Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown (Swae Lee)?
Swae Lee, born Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter best known as one half of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd. He rose to prominence with Rae Sremmurd's hits like "Black Beatles" and achieved significant solo success with collaborations such as Post Malone's "Sunflower." As of April 2026, he has released his highly anticipated second solo album, "Same Difference."
Quick Answer
Swae Lee, the melodic half of Rae Sremmurd, has continued to build a successful solo career marked by major collaborations and chart-topping hits like "Sunflower." In early 2026, he announced and subsequently released his second solo album, "Same Difference," on April 3, 2026, featuring singles like "Flammable" and "Don't Even Call." He is also slated for upcoming performances, including Coachella.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Forms Rae Sremmurd
Khalif Brown, alongside his brother Slim Jxmmi, forms the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd.
Signs with EarDrummer Records
Rae Sremmurd signs a record deal with Mike Will Made It's EarDrummer Records, an imprint of Interscope Records.
Rae Sremmurd Releases Debut Album 'SremmLife'
The duo releases their highly successful debut studio album, which includes hit singles like "No Flex Zone" and "No Type."
'Black Beatles' Tops Billboard Hot 100
Rae Sremmurd's single "Black Beatles" featuring Gucci Mane reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Swae Lee also co-writes Beyoncé's single "Formation."
Featured on French Montana's 'Unforgettable'
Swae Lee achieves his first major solo success as a featured artist on French Montana's single "Unforgettable," which peaks within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.
Releases Solo Debut 'Swaecation' as part of 'SR3MM'
Swae Lee releases his debut solo studio album, *Swaecation*, as one of three albums bundled into Rae Sremmurd's third effort, *SR3MM*.
Releases 'Sunflower' with Post Malone
His collaboration with Post Malone, "Sunflower," for the *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* soundtrack, is released. It becomes a massive hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and later becoming the first double diamond-certified song in RIAA history.
Releases 'Won't Be Late' featuring Drake
Swae Lee releases the single "Won't Be Late" featuring Canadian rapper Drake, further showcasing his solo artistry.
Rae Sremmurd Releases 'Sremm 4 Life'
Rae Sremmurd releases their fourth studio album, *Sremm 4 Life*, featuring new tracks for their fanbase.
Announces Solo Album 'Same Difference'
Swae Lee officially reveals the title of his long-awaited second solo album, 'Same Difference'.
Releases Lead Single 'Flammable'
The lead single from 'Same Difference', titled "Flammable" and produced by Rosen Beatz, is released with an accompanying music video.
Releases 'Don't Even Call' ft. Rich The Kid
Swae Lee drops another single, "Don't Even Call" featuring Rich The Kid, ahead of his album release, accompanied by a music video.
Unveils 'Same Difference' Tracklist
Swae Lee reveals the 15-track listing for his upcoming album 'Same Difference', featuring guest appearances from artists like Post Malone, Jhené Aiko, and French Montana.
Releases Solo Album 'Same Difference'
Swae Lee's highly anticipated second solo album, 'Same Difference', is officially released.
Coachella and Blockfest Performances
Swae Lee is scheduled to perform at the Coachella Music Festival and later with Rae Sremmurd at Blockfest in Finland.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, professionally known as Swae Lee, was born on June 7, 1993, in Inglewood, California, and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. He began his musical journey alongside his older brother, Slim Jxmmi, forming the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd in 2010. The duo signed with Mike Will Made It's EarDrummer Records in 2013, quickly gaining mainstream recognition with their debut album SremmLife in 2015, which featured hits like "No Flex Zone" and "No Type." Their 2016 single "Black Beatles" topped the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying their status in the music industry.
Swae Lee's distinctive melodic style and wide vocal range soon led to significant solo ventures and high-profile collaborations. His solo breakthrough came with French Montana's 2017 hit "Unforgettable," which peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. In 2018, he released his debut solo studio album, Swaecation, as part of Rae Sremmurd's triple album SR3MM. That same year, his collaboration with Post Malone on "Sunflower" for the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack became a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving double diamond certification, making it the highest-certified song in RIAA history.
Throughout 2019 and 2020, Swae Lee continued to expand his solo portfolio with tracks like "Won't Be Late" featuring Drake, and collaborations with artists such as Madonna, Chloe x Halle, Kane Brown, and Khalid. He also made an investment in the esports organization XSET in October 2020. While Rae Sremmurd released their fourth album, Sremm 4 Life, in 2023, anticipation for Swae Lee's next solo project grew.
The year 2026 marked a significant turning point for Swae Lee's solo career. In February 2026, he announced his second solo album, Same Difference, revealing its title on February 23, 2026. The album's lead single, "Flammable," was released on March 9, 2026, followed by another single, "Don't Even Call" featuring Rich The Kid, on March 26, 2026. The full 15-track album, featuring collaborations with Post Malone, Jhené Aiko, and French Montana, was released on April 3, 2026, marking his first fully standalone solo project. He is also scheduled to perform at Coachella and Blockfest in 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown (Swae Lee) made different choices?