There’s something magnetic about To1Swerve’s rise — an artist who has never waited for the world’s permission to shine. Born in Trinidad and raised in London, he carries both the rhythm of the Caribbean and the grit of the city in his voice. With his latest album Shooting Star, To1Swerve cements his place as one of the most dynamic and emotionally resonant voices emerging from the global hip-hop and fusion scene. Where 2021’s Son of the Enslaved was a declaration of intent and 2023’s Trapped Star was a statement of confidence, Shooting Star feels like the fulfillment of that prophecy — a body of work that balances fire and faith, hunger and healing. It’s a metaphor for his trajectory — burning bright, moving fast, and impossible to ignore.
From the opening track “Breathe Easy,” To1Swerve sets the tone with introspection and poise. The instrumental glows with atmospheric synths and airy percussion, while his delivery feels reflective and assertive. He raps about finding peace amid chaos, weaving between self-doubt and faith. The track establishes the duality that runs through Shooting Star: a tension between pressure and freedom. “Inbetween” follows, pairing smooth melodic flows with lines about limbo — about being between the life he escaped and the one he’s building. The production leans on hypnotic basslines and vocal layering that recalls Afrobeats and London grime, but what makes it stand out is its emotional texture. Every syllable feels lived-in, as if To1Swerve is reliving moments of survival and growth.
By the time “Fly Higher” and “Thousand” hit, the album hits its stride. “Fly Higher” feels like a sunrise moment — an anthem of ascension, where the rhythm rises alongside his confidence. The lyrics paint pictures of long nights, ambition, and the refusal to fade into mediocrity. “Thousand,” already emerging as a fan favorite, is a harder, more defiant record. Here, To1Swerve flexes his lyrical dexterity, blending intricate rhyme schemes with sharp cultural references. It’s a song about endurance — about earning every inch of success. The beat is layered with dark trap percussion and metallic synths that pulse with urgency. You can hear the hunger that drives him; the same hunger that has defined his journey from Trinidad’s hum to London’s relentless grind.
Midway through the record, the emotional core of Shooting Star deepens. “Stay Strong” and “Grateful” strip away the bravado to reveal something more vulnerable. “Stay Strong” is anchored by a gospel-like refrain and introspective verses about loyalty, loss, and the need to keep faith when everything feels uncertain. It’s one of those tracks that could easily become an anthem for anyone chasing light through darkness. “Grateful,” in turn, slows the tempo down with a soulful groove, celebrating small victories and quiet resilience. Here, To1Swerve’s delivery softens, almost conversational, as if he’s speaking directly to listeners who have walked similar roads. Both tracks demonstrate his strength as a storyteller — not in grand gestures, but in sincerity and emotional clarity.
Then comes the heat — the middle stretch of Shooting Star is built for the stage. “Fire” explodes with kinetic energy, merging sharp wordplay with international rhythms. There’s a swagger in the verses that recalls the confidence of early Burna Boy, but To1Swerve makes it distinctly his own, adding grime edges and rapid-fire cadence. “Elon,” already spinning across Caribbean and international airwaves, follows with a futuristic bounce — a celebration of progress and innovation, name-checking success not as luxury but as legacy. The hook is instantly addictive, the kind that clings to you long after the track fades. “Basement,” meanwhile, is pure dancehall ignition. With over 1.3 million YouTube views, it’s already a viral hit, fusing club-ready percussion with a hypnotic flow that effortlessly blurs the line between rap and riddim.
“Celebration” and “Favour” bring a different energy — one of gratitude and triumph. “Celebration” radiates positivity, its rhythm glowing with Afro-fusion warmth. It’s a party track and a victory lap, the sound of a man looking back on what he’s overcome. The horns are bright, the drums are crisp, and To1Swerve’s vocals ride the beat with easy confidence. “Favour,” meanwhile, leans more spiritual, weaving faith into the fabric of ambition. Over soaring keys and basslines, he raps about divine timing, about blessings that arrive just when you’re ready to receive them. It’s deeply personal yet universally relatable — a reflection of how Shooting Star constantly balances the personal and the global.
The album’s final act ties everything together. “Again” and “Can’t Tear Down” carry an undercurrent of determination — the sense that every setback fuels another rise. “We Paid” is defiant and victorious, merging Afro-trap grooves with lyrics that sound like a mantra for self-made success. “Rain Down” adds raw intensity, the most explicit and uncompromising moment on the record, before “Going Up” resets the mood with radiant optimism. The closing track, “Bring Your Love,” feels like a final exhale — a melodic Afro-fusion gem that closes the journey on a note of warmth and connection. Its lush production and smooth vocals showcase the full range of To1Swerve’s artistry, blending emotional storytelling with cross-genre finesse.
What’s remarkable about Shooting Star is its cohesion despite its range. To1Swerve moves fluidly between genres — from rap to Afro-fusion, from gospel to dancehall — yet nothing feels forced or out of place. Every track feels connected by a shared heartbeat: resilience. The production throughout the album is polished yet organic, balancing digital precision with human warmth. His vocals shift between sharp delivery and melodic grace, revealing an artist as comfortable in reflection as in rhythm. It’s the sound of someone who has learned to turn hardship into heat, faith into flame
In Shooting Star, To1Swerve invites listeners to see their own struggles reflected in his light. The album’s power lies in its duality: its ability to motivate and to comfort, to roar and to reflect. Whether it’s the confidence of “Fire,” the gratitude of “Grateful,” or the warmth of “Bring Your Love,” every song carries a piece of his journey. It’s an album that feels deeply spiritual and undeniably modern — a portrait of an artist ascending, unafraid to shine even when surrounded by darkness.
With Shooting Star, To1Swerve affirms his position as one of the most compelling artists redefining what it means to be global. It’s a triumph of rhythm and resilience, of heart and hustle. Each track burns with purpose, each lyric reaching upward like light through the clouds. He’s a shooting star in name and a proof that when pressure meets vision, something extraordinary ignites.
For more information, follow To1Swerve:
Facebook – Website – Spotify – YouTube
