Born in 1974 music has always been a part of Steve Swift’s life. Playing percussion since middle school Swift got exposed to a variety of music growing up and in 1988 he began playing in his instructor’s steel drum band and there is where his love of Caribbean music really took off.

Originally from McAllen, TX Steve Swift was focused on developing a strong musical background, so this South Texas maverick made his way north to Houston, TX in early 1994. Living in Houston Swift played with a few bands that played everything from rock to reggae to hip-hop.  While playing drums for one of these bands Swift caught the junglistic fever through agile turntablist Audio 3, who was doubling as the band's DJ.

On the side, Audio 3 had veered from his hip-hop roots to play ragga and jungle tunes. Now all that was needed was a toasting MC to complement this selecta. and, Steve Swift had an inclination for dancehall, reggae and the microphone. So, Audio 3 encouraged Swift to step up to the mic and take his reggae-tinged jungle to another level. Months later, both Swift and Audio 3 joined H-town's forefront drum n bass crew, Tha Purrin Lion Sound Flex Crew.

Much sought after, Steve Swift has MCed as Audio 3's cohort and over such drum & bass icons as Goldie, Bailey, Shy FX, Marcus Intalex, AK1200, Bad Company, Source Direct & Instrumental, Rinse & Flux, Pressa, UFO!, Mickey Finn, DB, Dara, Red One and Dieselboy. Also, Steve Swift has MCed alongside MC Jamalski, TC Islam and MC Five Alive and MC GQ. In 1999, Steve Swift teamed up with Purrin Lion's pride and Ireland's Bass Odyssey to perform at the coveted SXSW Music Showcase in Austin, TX.

Steve Swift has since taken to the decks DJing reggae, dancehall and dub music. In 2001, he hosted his own weekly Internet broadcast reggae radio show on Pleasure Dome.com and with Audio 3 at his side Swift was also a resident MC and DJ at Static, a Houston d&b night at Club Hyperia in 2002. . Swift has DJed local reggae shows and festivals with Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffith, Yellow Man, Sister Nancy, Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, Spragga Benz, Luciano, Jr. Kelly, Sanchez, Capleton, Cocoa Tea, Iba Mahr and Kabaka Pyramid.  Making the rounds in Texas, Swift has also performed in Hawaii, California, Arizona, Chicago, and Tennessee.

Still part of Tha Purrin Lion family and holding down the MC residency at Frenzi, a drum n bass nightly in Houston, TX Swift also has now begun to build his personal sound called Zion International sound and is looking forward to continue bringing the sweet sounds of positive music to the people.

Contact Info:

Steveswft@gmail.com

Or

zion.intl@gmail.com