VH1 has signed pop culture icon and music news leader Sway Calloway as an on-air personality and producer. The radio and TV news veteran will appear in VH1’s tentpole events, executive produce specials and events and bring new programming ideas to the channel.
As a TV star and host of his own Sirius XM/Shade 45 radio show, Sway has interviewed every global hip hop and pop artist of the last 15 years as well as U.S. senators, governors, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joseph Biden and President Barack Obama – four times. And now, with a recurring role in the hit TV series “Empire,” Sway has become a pop culture icon himself. He continues to host his national SiriusXM/Shade 45 radio show “Sway In The Morning” and connect with fans at SwaysUniverse.com.
Sway’s first partnership with VH1 will be on the new series “Behind The…,” an expansion of the renowned VH1 “Behind The Music” franchise that will explore all facets of pop culture and its intersection with current cultural and political issues. Calloway will host and serve as executive producer of the “Behind The…” series.
“Sway is a true icon who is a triple threat as a personality, producer and actor,” said Chris McCarthy, General Manager, VH1. “We’re proud to welcome Sway to the VH1 family and can’t wait to share his incredible talents and insights with our viewers.”
“I’m looking forward to hosting and creating groundbreaking, meaningful and fun programming for VH1,” said new VH1 talent Sway Calloway. “As an Executive Producer, I am excited about discovering and telling new stories.”
Sway began his career as a hip hop artist, giving him immediate credibility as the co-host of the seminal hip hop Bay Area radio program “The Wake Up Show,” where he gave artists such as Eminem, Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac their first airplay. In 2000, Sway transitioned to television as a pivotal member of the MTV News team where he interviewed major artists, covered political events, presidential campaigns, and interviewed President Barack Obama four times. Sway has reported on the largest global events in recent history, traveling to Houston’s Astrodome in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Southeast Asia after the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, in conjunction with the same production team for the “Behind The…” series.
