Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
This piece is part of our Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them at hello@noogatoday.com.
Swayyvo is a Chattanooga-based artist doing everything from producing '90s-inspired hip-hop, to peeling out smooth R&B on the saxophone, to working with major brands like the NBA, NFL + Nickelodeon. In other words, nobody puts Swayyvo in a corner.
We talked with Swayyvo about his new album “Sounds in My Own Words,” the Chattanooga music scene, and his history with the sax. Keep reading to find out Swayyvo's dream lineup for a Chatt music festival.
Jerod "Swayyvo" Morton, the Chattanooga golden child | Photo by Swayyvo
What do you do for fun in Chattanooga?
It's kind of embarrassing, but I just make beats in my downtime. I'm just still making music and creating content still, you know. I'm becoming more and more of a family man. I just had a birthday, so the older I get, the more I value spending time with like, my family and my kids and stuff like that.
Have you been able to make it around the music scene here at all?
Isaiah, you know, he just dropped “The House Is Burning Deluxe.” He got Juicy J and Project Pat on one song, so I’m just like, I’m lit about it, so I’ve been bumping that super heavy.
It’s a big month for Chattanooga music.
It’s huge, bro! I love the trajectory that I’m seeing that the Chattanooga hip-hop scene is going. And, I mean, the arts in general is booming in Chatt right now. You know, this has always just been harder for hip-hop. We get denied venues and get denied certain types of press, collaborating with certain businesses, we get denied. So being in hip-hop in Chattanooga has been difficult over the years for a lot of us, but it’s just opening up right now.
Use the buttons below to share this story with anyone who loves music in Chattanooga — especially if they can get ahold of Behold the Brave.
Today
- Leslie Jordan Book Signing | Wed., Nov. 24 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Book & Cover, 1310 Hanover St. | Price of purchase | Pick up one of the limited copies of hometown star Leslie Jordan’s book + get it signed by Leslie himself. ✍️
- 158th Anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga | Wed., Nov. 24-Thu., Nov. 25 | 11 a.m. + 2 p.m. | Locations vary | $10 | Learn Chattanooga history with some scenic hikes — this morning + afternoon, plus one at 11 a.m. tomorrow (while the turkey’s in the oven). 🥾
Thursday
- Thanksgiving | Thurs., Nov. 25 | Times vary | Your Kitchen | Prices vary | Eat, digest, watch football + be thankful. 🦃
- Stuffing Strut 5K and Fun Run | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 8:30-11 a.m. | Chester Frost Park Pavilion, 7872 Causeway Rd. | $30+ | This charity run will benefit Northside Neighborhood House, the Soddy Daisy Food Bank, the Soddy Daisy Middle School Jim Wilson Fund + the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department. 🏃
- Sportsbarn Turkey Trot | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 7 a.m. | Sportsbarn East, 6170 Lee Hwy. | $28+ | Take your pick between a 3 mile or 8k run + walk. 🏃
- Grateful Gobbler 5K Walk/Run | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 8 a.m. | Coolidge Park | $15-30 | This race will raise funds for the Maclellan Shelter for Families.
Friday
Saturday
- Holiday Market (Small Business Saturday) | Sat., Nov. 27 |10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. Ste. 108 | Free | Handle your holiday shopping while supporting local businesses, makers, and artists.
- ClearStory Arts Fall Art Market | Sat., Nov. 27 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave. | Free+ | 30+ artists on display with original work for sale. 🖼
Sunday
- Artist’s Sunday | Sun., Nov. 28 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cooper's Alley, 10 E. 7th St. | Free | This alternative to Black Friday showcases local artists, plus food, activities, and opportunities to find unique gifts for family and friends. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 58º | Mostly sunny | 4% chance of rain 🌤️
Announced
- Green Spaces’ MainX24 World Heavyweight Chili competition is returning for its 12th year. Attendees can look forward to all-you-can-eat chili, local beer, boozy coffee, bloody marys + live local music. Proceeds will benefit Green Spaces + NewTerra Compost’s local waste management efforts.
- In case you missed it, locals Anna Taylor + Emily Powers were working to bring the idea of a silent reading party — a TikTok trend starting in Seattle — to Chattanooga. Now, it’s happening. Bring a book to Cherry Street Tavern on Tues., Dec. 7 from 5-7 p.m. to take part in this reading event. Don’t keep it hush hush.
Seasonal
Now Open
- Miracle, the holiday pop-up taking over No Hard Feelings, is open. Enjoy holiday-themed cocktails and decorations at the bar with locations in New York, London + Amsterdam.
Civic
- Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Thanksgiving Day will be collected on Sat. Nov. 27. The City of Chattanooga Recycling Collection Centers + Refuse Collection Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Fri., Nov. 26. (Chattanoogan.com)
Holiday
- In honor of Thanksgiving, the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management suggested several safety tips to remember during the holiday season: never leave food unattended while frying or grilling, never use a glass casserole on the stove or burner, and douse a grease fire with a lid or baking soda rather than water.
Arts
- Local artists, creators, makers, and performers are teaming up to participate in Artists Sunday, a national art-shopping day taking place Sun., Nov. 28. Some local participants are the Area 61 Gallery, River Gallery, and Art120. “It’s like Black Friday but for art.” 🖼️ (The Pulse)
Pet
- This Thanksgiving, we want everyone get in on the feast — even our four-legged friends. Fox Chattanooga has our back with this helpful guide to the what dogs can + can’t eat this holiday.
Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken in East Ridge got a surprise Monday when Morgan Freeman came to dine.
Luckily, it seems like Mr. Freeman was able to enjoy his fried chicken without too much disturbance. (Not that we would’ve minded stopping by for an autograph, but we’re quick to forgive.)
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Editor's Pick: Talking to Swayyvo filled up my Spotify queue in a heartbeat — but in honor of the collaboration we didn't know we needed, do yourself the favor of checking out Behold the Brave's self-titled album.
Missed yesterday's newsletter? You'll want to check it by Saturday, because it'll be a big day to shop small.
NOOGAtoday Team
Editorial: Brianna, Kristen, Dayten, Josh
Sales: Sarah
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