bSw and formerly known as b-Rabbit, is an American hip-hop artist, producer, and songwriter who is currently signed to indie record label BranFlakes Records. He was born and raised in East Wenatchee, WA. Since his debut in 2011, he has released three EPs including a collaborative effort with guitarist Sandra Bae and one studio album. On January 1, 2014, bSw announced his musical hiatus.
Life and Career
1996-2010: Early life and beginnings
Born Brandon Waugh on April 12, 1996 in Wenatchee, Washington, bSw was the fourth child in his family. He is of Scottish, English and German ancestry.
Waugh had attended church with his family every Sunday since a young age. He gave his life to Christ at age 8 but would later renounce his Christian faith at age 11 before returning to the church at age 15.
During his 8th grade year, bSw started rapping as B-Rabbit alongside his friend Steel Echo. The duo were known as Sons of Al Capone and would attempt to battle rap other students before Echo's boredom.
2011: Debut and The Perfect 2
Main article: b-Rabbit Presents: The Perfect 2
In May 2011, bSw officially debuted as a born-again Christian rapper under the name of b-Rabbit. He released his first song, "TV (Freestyle)," on July 31 which would later be announced as one of the songs off his self-titled extended play.
On September 11, 2011, bSw announced on Facebook that he was working on two songs that would be released prior to the year's end; the first of which debuted four days later on the 15th. On September 25th he released a two-song extended play entitled b-Rabbit Presents: The Perfect 2 which featured a remix of the song "Perfect Two" by Auburn and a freestyle over the same song's instrumental.
The record was released on November 1, 2011 featuring slightly better audio and different lyrics.
2012: The b-Rabbit EP, Music Lab, and non-album endeavors
Main articles: The b-Rabbit EP and Music Lab
On August 1, 2011, bSw announced a self-titled extended play that would be released in 2012. Recording began on October 8th and was originally planned to feature eight songs. The official track list was released on October 26 with the cover art revealed four days later. The EP was released on April 4, 2012.
Shortly after releasing The b-Rabbit EP, bSw reunited with Steel Echo to form a new rap group called SideShow Freakz. The group consisted of Steel Ju66alo (formerally Steel Echo), Dr. Wicked (bSw), and new member The Bloody Suit. The trio recorded but never released a single song entitled "Hatchet House."
On June 9, 2012, bSw released an EP of original instrumentals titled Music Lab.
2013: Trials & Tribulations
Main article: Trials & Tribulations
Shortly after releasing The b-Rabbit EP, a sequel album entitled The b-Rabbit LP was announced for a December 2012 release. During the writing for the new album, many personal issues began striking bSw including the death of his grandmother which eventually inspired him to turn the album from a Christian record to a pure hip-hop album. Suffering from depression, bSw began writing more emotionally charged lyrics and officially announced the album's new title, Trials & Tribulations, on December 31, 2012 and released the first single on January 19, 2013.
The album was preceded by four singles: "Broken Hearts (Album Version)" (January 19, 2013), "Story of a Lonely Guy" (April 13, 2013), "#PRAYforBOSTON" (June 26, 2013), and "Victoria (Dear. Daddy)" (October 26, 2013). The album was followed up with a fifth single, "Love / Hate" on December 24, 2013. The album was intially released as two five-song EPs on November 19 and December 3 before the full album (including bonus tracks) was released on December 7.
2014-present: Indefinite hiatus
On January 1, 2014, bSw announced on Facebook that he would be entering into an indefinite hiatus from music so he could focus on his education. The announcement came less than a month after the release of his 2013 album Trials & Tribulations. In the announcement, bSw teased a future comeback by saying that he hopes to see his fans again soon which quickly led some to assume that he would return to music after finishing school. He graduated from Eastmont High School in June 2015 leading some to believe that a new bSw album could be released by late 2015 or early 2016.
| “ | "I would like to thank all of my loyal fans both old and new for supporting me and my music. Some of you have been down from the beginning, some just recently discovered my music but either way you're greatly appreciated. With the being said I would like to announce that on this day, January 1, 2014, I am officially entering into an indefinite hiatus from music. Trials & Tribulations is a lyrical album that got me plenty of attention from local record labels and concert venues proving that independent artists such as myself can make it in this industry. Now that I've achieved some minor fame and proven to myself that I can survive in the rap game, I can now take time to focus on my schooling as opposed to music. Again, thank you everyone for listening to my music and I hope to see you all again soon" | ” |
In June 2015 b-Rabbit teased an imminent comeback with a Facebook post simply reading "I hear y'all. Who wants to party?" On June 21, bSw released the song "Live Life" without any real warning making this his first release since 2013's Trials & Tribulations. It remains unknown if he is officially ending his hiatus or not though.
As of August 2015, he is enrolled at Washington State University without any immediate plans to release new music.
Artistry
Influences and rapping technique
bSw has named several MCs who influenced his rapping style, including Macklemore, Eminem, Beastie Boys, and G-Dragon. His style of hip-hop is unique to him as it combines spoken word with slow rapping style.
LGBT Advocacy
Growing up, bSw was constantly accused of being homosexual although he has always denied it. "Just because I can cook or I actually have feelings doesn't mean I'm gay...it means I'm a human being" he once posted on his personal Facebook page. Despite not being homosexual, bSw is a proud supporter of the LGBT movement. He has even rapped about this support in two different songs:
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"We claim to be Christians and yet here's what confuses me: We segregate blacks and discriminate gays." — "(Stay Awake) Tonight," The b-Rabbit EP, 2012. |
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"But when equality is tossed around we throw the Bible in the face of [faggots]. That doesn't seem right, as I was taught, we were made in God's image. If our appearance is supposed to match his depiction then why the hell aren't we equal?" — "Revelations," Trials & Tribulations, 2013. |
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Personal Life
Currently bSw lives in Pullman, Washington where he is a sophomore at Washington State University.
In November 2012 b-Rabbit had once again renounced his Christian faith stating that the religion was tainted and didn't provide the truth that he was seeking. He has since identified as a LaVeyan Satanist.
Discography
Main articles: b-Rabbit discography and b-Rabbit production discography
Studio Albums
- Trials & Tribulations — December 7, 2013
Extended Plays
- b-Rabbit Presents: The Perfect 2 — September 25, 2011
- The b-Rabbit EP — April 4, 2012
- Music Lab — June 9, 2012
Collaborative Projects
- An Acoustic Christmas (With Sandra Bae) — December 21, 2012