For Swoger, making hyperpop has never been about following trends. It’s about creating the kind of music he wished existed while growing up and proving there’s space in South Africa for artists who refuse to fit into one box.
The 21-year-old Durban-born artist, now based in Johannesburg, is part of a new generation of alternative musicians pushing the boundaries of what South African music can sound like. Inspired by the cult classic Serial Experiments Lain, Swoger blends experimental production, emotional storytelling, and futuristic sounds into a style that feels both deeply personal and unapologetically different.
“When hyperpop reaches the mainstream in South Africa, I want to be part of the conversation around the people who helped build it”
His journey into the genre was shaped by a lifelong curiosity about music production and sound design. Long before alternative music became more widely embraced, Swoger was immersed in internet culture, anime, and experimental sounds that set him apart from those around him. Rather than hiding those interests, he turned them into the foundation of his music.
“I’ve always been interested in things that weren’t popular here,” he explains. “Making this music is proof to my younger self and anyone else who feels different, that you don’t have to change who you are to be accepted.”
Authenticity is at the heart of everything he creates. His lyrics are drawn from real-life experiences and observations, making each song a reflection of moments that have shaped his journey. While Serial Experiments Lain continues to influence his sonic direction, Swoger’s willingness to collaborate with artists across South Africa’s alternative scene has helped him develop a sound that is uniquely his own.
Beyond performing, Swoger independently mixes, masters, and engineers his own music while also working as a graphic designer and video editor. Those skills allow him to build a complete creative identity, shaping not only how his music sounds but also how it is experienced visually.
His growing catalogue has already seen him open for PatrickXXLee, collaborate with artists across the country’s underground scene, and connect with communities such as FilthyPigs, where alternative musicians continue creating spaces for independent music to thrive. More recently, his music has found an audience on TikTok, with hundreds of user-generated videos introducing his work to new listeners.
As South Africa’s alternative music scene continues to grow, Swoger is focused on more than building a career. He’s helping create space for a genre that encourages experimentation, authenticity, and individuality.
For anyone who has ever felt different, his music offers a simple reminder: sometimes the people who don’t fit into existing spaces are the ones who create entirely new ones.