"SWIF" (born Vaughn Willis) is a dynamic singer and musician from Detroit, MI. SWIF was taught to sing by his mother at a very young age. His dad played the organ in church, and wowed crowds with his skills on the harmonica. Influenced by his father, Vaughn was given his first harmonica at the age of 4 and he has never stopped playing. SWIF never received significant formal musical training, but because he was raised around singers and musicians, his ear for music is very strong and has helped him learn to play the piano, bass, guitar, harmonica, and even hand percussion instruments.
SWIF moved from Detroit to Phoenix, AZ on New Years Eve in 2004 along with his mother, father, brother and sister. In 2009, SWIF auditioned for Arizona Idol and was placed among Arizona's top 5 singers out of 900 contestants! SWIF has opened up for many legendary performers and never disappoints a crowd. Some of the artists he has opened for are Keke Wyatt, Timothy Bloom, Musiq Soulchild, Ginuwine, Donell Jones, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Joe Thomas, Dwele, Ryan Leslie, Lisa McClendon, Al Green (through Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit), Noel Gourdin, K'jon, Slum Village, and Diggable Planets. SWIF has also performed with CeCe Peniston. His musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, Musiq Soulchild, Boys II Men, and his parents, Mark & Arlette.
SWIF worked in the corporate world of University of Phoenix for over 5 years before he decided to take the leap of faith to become a full time performer. SWIF knew that he would have to make a choice between a career that would pay his bills, or his passion for music. SWIF thought that he had a plan for success, but fell prey to his lack of knowledge of the music industry. SWIF was reduced to playing music on the streets in order to earn money to buy food for himself and his two pet dogs. SWIF never gave up on his dream to be a performer. He continued to play on the streets and met many people who would eventually become fans as well as friends.
Now SWIF owns the SWIF Music Entertainment LLC! He performs throughout the metro Phoenix area and is positioning himself to become the most well known performer in the state of Arizona!
"I am a firm believer that if you seek first after the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything you need will be given to you by our Father in heaven!" - Vaughn "SWIF" Willis.
For more SWIF, check out the Twitter, Facebook and YouTube links below.
SWIF moved from Detroit to Phoenix, AZ on New Years Eve in 2004 along with his mother, father, brother and sister. In 2009, SWIF auditioned for Arizona Idol and was placed among Arizona's top 5 singers out of 900 contestants! SWIF has opened up for many legendary performers and never disappoints a crowd. Some of the artists he has opened for are Keke Wyatt, Timothy Bloom, Musiq Soulchild, Ginuwine, Donell Jones, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Joe Thomas, Dwele, Ryan Leslie, Lisa McClendon, Al Green (through Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit), Noel Gourdin, K'jon, Slum Village, and Diggable Planets. SWIF has also performed with CeCe Peniston. His musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, Musiq Soulchild, Boys II Men, and his parents, Mark & Arlette.
SWIF worked in the corporate world of University of Phoenix for over 5 years before he decided to take the leap of faith to become a full time performer. SWIF knew that he would have to make a choice between a career that would pay his bills, or his passion for music. SWIF thought that he had a plan for success, but fell prey to his lack of knowledge of the music industry. SWIF was reduced to playing music on the streets in order to earn money to buy food for himself and his two pet dogs. SWIF never gave up on his dream to be a performer. He continued to play on the streets and met many people who would eventually become fans as well as friends.
Now SWIF owns the SWIF Music Entertainment LLC! He performs throughout the metro Phoenix area and is positioning himself to become the most well known performer in the state of Arizona!
"I am a firm believer that if you seek first after the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything you need will be given to you by our Father in heaven!" - Vaughn "SWIF" Willis.
For more SWIF, check out the Twitter, Facebook and YouTube links below.