AEW Champion Swerve Strickland Pursues Hip-Hop Career
The wrestling star is leveraging his fame to establish a new identity as a professional recording artist.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hip-Hop and Rap
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AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland is expanding his professional focus from the wrestling ring to the hip-hop music industry. The performer, who is the first Black wrestler to hold the AEW title, is now actively pursuing a career as a recording artist.
Why it matters
Strickland aims to be judged on his artistic ability and lyricism rather than his wrestling credentials. By entering the music scene, he seeks to prove his capability to succeed in a new creative discipline despite his lack of prior experience in the industry.
Strickland is the first Black AEW World Champion and spent approximately nine to ten years working his way to a WWE contract. His seventh year of wrestling was marked by his participation in Lucha Underground.
The players
Swerve Strickland
He is a professional wrestler and the first Black AEW World Champion who is transitioning into the hip-hop music industry.
Max B
He is a prominent hip-hop artist known for his influence on the scene and recently collaborated with Strickland on the song Coo Coo.
Raekwon
He is a legendary rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan who provided a public co-sign for Strickland.
Bun B
He is an influential rapper and one half of the Southern hip-hop duo UGK who has formally recognized Strickland as an artist.
The details
Strickland is utilizing his existing celebrity status to forge industry connections, recently releasing the song Coo Coo alongside Max B. He has already received co-signs from hip-hop veterans Raekwon and Bun B and performed at WaleMania to build credibility.
Timeline
2017 to 2019: The timeframe encompassing the 205 Live class of wrestlers.
October 14, 2026: Strickland participated in an interview at the Billboard offices in New York City.
Industry Dynamics
Strickland follows the established historical trend of professional athletes transitioning into the music industry to expand their creative portfolio. His efforts mirror how celebrities use their existing fame to navigate the competitive and often insular world of hip-hop.
Fans can monitor Strickland’s music career through digital streaming platforms where his collaborations and new tracks are released. His pivot indicates a potential increase in his public appearances at music-focused events rather than strictly wrestling-related venues.
The takeaway
Strickland shows that career pivoting is increasingly viable for modern stars with strong personal brands. His focus on storytelling suggests he intends to treat his music career as a long-term artistic endeavor rather than a one-time publicity stunt.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in the music scene, visit Hip-Hop and Rap.
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