Teddy Swims

Swims began his music career in a variety of Atlanta-area bands, including alternative rock band WildHeart and post-hardcore band Eris, as well as soul and hair metal cover bands. In early 2019 Swims' friend Addy Maxwell invited him to rap over some beats he had made, which earned the pair an opening slot on a US tour with Tyler Carter.[3][6] On this tour he began performing under the name Teddy Swims – referring to a nickname from his childhood referencing his size, and an internet-speak acronym for "someone who isn't me sometimes," referring to the idea of integrating different parts of his personality.[3][7]

In June, Swims posted his first cover performance on YouTube, Michael Jackson's "Rock With You", and continued posting additional covers of artists from a mix of genres regularly including Lewis Capaldi, Chris Stapleton, Amy Winehouse, and H.E.R.[5][8] His cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One" posted in October went on to become his most viewed video, with 86 million views as of 2022.[9] Swims' videos quickly accumulated millions of views, and after releasing one single "Night Off" independently in July, he signed a record deal with Warner Records in December.[3][10]

Swims released his debut major label single "Picky" in January 2020 and embarked on his first headline tour the same month. He released several covers in the months following, including "Blinding Lights" in May, "What's Going On" in June (from which he donated the royalties to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund), and "You're Still The One" (which he had previously posted on his YouTube) in July.[9] Swims released his next single "Broke" in August, and released an additional version with Thomas Rhett in October.[3][7]

In February 2021, Swims released his single "My Bad", which he performed on the Kelly Clarkson Show, and was named an "Artist You Need to Know" by Rolling Stone magazine.[3][11] In March he released his single "Till I Change Your Mind", followed by "Bed On Fire" in April, which he performed on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and later re-released as a collaboration with Ingrid Andress.[12][13][14] In May, Swims released his debut seven-track EP Unlearning, followed by a tour supporting Zac Brown Band that summer.[15]

In August 2021, Swims released his single "Simple Things" which he performed on the Late Late Show with James Corden in September and the Today Show in November.[16][17][18]

After releasing his single "911", Swims released his six-track EP Tough Love in January 2022.[4][19] Swims performed the EP's songs "Love for a Minute" on Late Night with Seth Meyers in January, and "911" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February.[14][20] Swims supported the EP with a three-month headline tour through Europe and North America beginning in February, followed by a United Kingdom and mainland Europe tour in May and June.[14][10] Swims collaborated with Meghan Trainor on "Bad For Me", released June 24 as the lead single for her album Takin' It Back. [21][22] Swims and Trainor performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in June and The Late Late Show with James Corden in August.[22][23] That year Swims also collaborated on singles with Mitchell Tenpenny, Illenium, MK and BURNS, and TELYKAST.

After releasing a short performance clip in May that has since generated more than 80 million views, Swims released a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" in August. Swims performed the song on America's Got Talent alongside season 14 winner Kodi Lee and Journey founding guitarist Neal Schon.[24]

In September Swims embarked on a 7 week US headline tour.[24]

After releasing the singles "Dose", "2 Moods", "Someone Who Loved You," and "Devil in a Dress", Swims released his EP Sleep is Exhausting on November 4, 2022.[25]

In 2023 Swims has released collaborations with Armin van Buuren & Matoma, and Elley Duhé. In March Swims announced his summer international headline tour, including shows in the UK, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand in July and August.[26] This summer he will also perform at BottleRock, Bamboozle, Boston Calling, TRNSMT, and Latitude music festivals.[27][28][29][30][31]