Swag Surfin

2009 single by Fast Life Youngstaz
"Swag Surfin"
Single by Fast Life Yungstaz
from the album Jamboree
ReleasedMarch 24, 2009
Recorded2008
GenreHip hop, Trap
Length4:15
LabelIsland Def Jam Music Group
Producer(s)K.E. on the Track

"Swag Surfin" is the debut single by American hip hop group Fast Life Yungstaz released in 2009. It is featured on their debut album Jamboree and is produced by K.E. on the Track. The song was certified platinum in March 2024.[1]

Cultural impact

Since its release in 2009, "Swag Surfin'" has grown in popularity, especially among the black community, and has been played at weddings, graduations, parties, homecoming events, and others. The dance is well-regarded as it encourages friends and strangers to connect with each other by linking arms and swaying from side to side.[2][3] Brianna Younger of The New Yorker stated that "there are no strangers when those horn blasts sound, only you and a crowd of people who have suddenly become your closest friends—your brothers and sisters."[4] The song and dance are commonplace at celebrations at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). The song was sampled by Beyoncé for her Coachella performance Homecoming: The Live Album with the song Drunk in Love.[5] The song has also been played at the White House.[4][6] Khalila Douze of uDiscoverMusic wrote that "["Swag Surfin'"] is an embodiment of black fellowship and faith, and that’s what makes it so timeless."[7]

Usage in sports

It is the unofficial anthem of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)'s Washington Mystics and was played at the game in which the team won its first championship.[8] "Swag Surfin'" also became synonymous with the Chicago Bears' post-game locker room celebration, nicknamed "Club Dub", under head coach Matt Nagy in 2018 and 2019.[9][10]

"Swag Surfin'" gained wide attention for being played at Kansas City Chiefs home game victories at Arrowhead Stadium at the request of the players during their 2023 season and playoff run. Taylor Swift was captured by cameras dancing along to the song with Donna Kelce, Brittany Mahomes, and other Chiefs fans during the team's AFC Wild Card Playoff game in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.[11][6]

Remixes

DJ Self put together a remix that features American rappers Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Red Cafe, and Maino.

Lil Wayne recorded a freestyle for his mixtape No Ceilings.

Music video

The original viral music video was filmed and directed by Forrest Tuff of One Vision Productions and released online January 2009 receiving millions of views. A new version under Def Jam South was released online in October 2009. Kia Shine and Stuey Rock make cameo appearances.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[12] 62
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[13] 12
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks[14] 7

Year-end charts

Chart (2009) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 64

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Inman, DeMicia (2024-03-28). "F.L.Y. (Fast Life Yungstaz) "Swag Surfin" Is Now Officially Certified Platinum". VIBE. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  2. ^ Taylor, Langston (2017-08-23). "'Swag Surfin' producer: 'It's very weird... they're still playing the song' eight years later". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  3. ^ Josephs, Brian. "The supernatural powers of "Swag Surfin'"". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  4. ^ a b Younger, Briana (2019-03-22). "Ten Years of Swag Surfin'". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  5. ^ "Beyoncé's 'Drunk in Love (Homecoming Live)' sample of Fast Life Yungstaz's 'Swag Surfin". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  6. ^ a b Camenker, Jacob (2024-01-23). "What is Swag Surfin? Everything to know about Chiefs' viral dance celebration as Taylor Swift, Donna Kelce participate". Sporting News. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  7. ^ Douze, Khalila (2024-03-24). "'Swag Surfin: The Oral History Of Fast Life Yungstaz's Huge Single". uDiscoverMusic. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  8. ^ Johnson, Martenzie (September 30, 2019). "How 'Swag Surfin' became the unofficial anthem of the Washington Mystics". Andscape. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  9. ^ "'Club Dub' is a full-blown sensation now, and the Bears are fine with that". NBC Sports. December 19, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  10. ^ Hawley, Larry (November 11, 2019). "After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Bears bring back 'Club Dub'". WGN-TV. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  11. ^ Moore, Julia (January 14, 2024). "Taylor Swift's a Swag Surfer! All About the Chiefs Fun Game Day Dance". People. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Archived copy". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2009-06-11.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ "Billboard.com - Charts - Singles - Hot Rap Tracks". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2006-02-13.
  15. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  16. ^ "American album certifications – Fast Life Yungstaz – Swag Surfin". Recording Industry Association of America. June 10, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
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