Rae Sremmurd Reflects on 10 Years of 'SremmLife' and Shaping Hip-Hop’s Fun Era
It’s 2015, and Rae Sremmurd’s debut album, SremmLife, was shaking up the music world with hits like “No Type,” “Come Get Her,” and “No Flex Zone.” These tracks became the soundtrack to countless parties, capturing a carefree vibe that now feels like a time capsule of simpler days. A decade later, the album’s impact remains undeniable. Packed with multi-platinum hits, SremmLife established the duo as pioneers of a vibrant, fun era in hip-hop, defined by their signature rockstar persona. Shaped by Mike Will Made-It’s dynamic production, the album continues to influence the genre while standing as a cultural milestone.
Behind the beats and rhymes are brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. Born in Inglewood and raised in Mississippi, their musical roots were planted at home, inspired by their mother. A household soundtrack of Erykah Badu, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Rakim laid the groundwork for their creativity. Their mother, a singer and actress, encouraged them to explore their talents—Swae crafting beats and Jxmmi penning lyrics. Pushing each other to innovate, they created a sound that redefined hip-hop and left an undeniable mark on the music world.
“Damn, n**gas getting old,” Swae says, reflecting on their journey. For Rae Sremmurd, SremmLife wasn’t just a collection of songs but a moment in time. Jxmmi recalls the uncertainty leading up to the release: “I remember being afraid it wouldn’t do what we wanted it to do, but then it just exceeded our expectations.” The album’s infectious energy and party anthems didn’t just resonate; they redefined the era and paved the way for a new kind of hip-hop.
Looking back at hip-hop’s evolution, Jxmmi says, “We came out in a different way. When we came out, it was a lot more hood, thug, hard music. Then we dropped, and we were all fun party. If you listen to the music right now, what’s going is fun party. I feel like that’s a lot of Rae Sremmurd influence.” Their approach—a blend of bold fashion and an infectious, lighthearted sound—helped them stand out in a crowded industry. Their aesthetic was as distinctive as their music, with loud colors, flight goggles, and dreads tied with bandanas.
Swae elaborates on their impact: “If you look at the timestamp, you can go back and trace this—we brightened up hip-hop, and there’s nothing wrong with where hip-hop was. Even if we’re saying gangster s**t, it’s gonna be presented a certain way. If you listen to ‘No Flex Zone,’ we say, ‘Free everybody in the chain gang.’ That’s saying, free everybody outta jail. We’re touching real topics, but we’re making it fun and easy to digest. We definitely added a different flavor to the game. It’s cool to see everybody adopting certain parts of our sound. And we… we gonna get our credit when it’s time. You know what I’m saying? We ain’t done.”
SremmLife laid the groundwork for the duo’s subsequent success, including 2016’s SremmLife 2 and its standout hit “Black Beatles” featuring Gucci Mane. The track gained viral fame through the Mannequin Challenge, where participants froze in action while the song played, making it Rae Sremmurd’s and Gucci Mane’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “It’s just dope to be part of the change in the industry,” Swae tells BET. “Now, if you wanna drop a song, it’s better if you have a challenge for it. That’s how you market it. All our songs charted, but that challenge drove it to No. 1.”
The bond between Swae and Jxmmi has always been the foundation of their success. Their shared history goes beyond music—it’s rooted in a lifetime of experiences. “We’re naturally like brothers,” Swae explains. “It’s not like we met each other. We were in the same bathtub, shitty diapers getting changed together. We were really fighting each other, putting our $50 together to make a hundred dollars. We [were] really cooking Top Ramen in the hood, prison dinners together.” Jxmmi adds, “The bond is there.” Their relationship fuels their creative process, allowing them to complement each other’s strengths. “We do everything together, so when it’s time to make a song, it’s nothing,” Swae says. “It just comes naturally.”
In the next decade, Rae Sremmurd aims to ensure that SremmLife is remembered as a defining piece of music history. “You are the star of your own show, and you should acknowledge that,” Jxmmi says. “SremmLife is turnt. We’re lit like big forever for the rest of our lives.” Swae echoes the sentiment, adding, “We want it to be the same thing as Thriller [Michael Jackson]. Something you look back on and it brings some emotion out of you. Even when you hear ‘Gimme the Light’ [Sean Paul]—that’s an old-ass f###ing song but a banging song. It stuck with you. You know that song, you know that feeling. We want to make them feel turnt and say, ‘That was my s##t’ with our music.”
Celebrating 10 years since their groundbreaking debut, the duo is already focused on what’s next. “We finna hit them in the head with a banger, with a smasher,” Jxmmi promises. Swae continues, “We’re making sure we come with quality… just make sure every vibe is an easy listen. And, of course, keeping that Sremm quality.”
SremmLife isn’t just an album—it’s a legacy. The 10th-anniversary edition is available as a limited-run vinyl D2C via UMe’s Urban Legends official store.