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Hispanic Heritage Month: A.P. Swayze

Lifestyle

The Sound of Heritage: A.P. Swayze on Family, Funk, and Finding the Beat

Sep 12, 2025

For A.P. Swayze, music isn't just a career—it's the soundtrack of his life, a rhythm passed down through generations. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, the sounds of his heritage were woven into the fabric of his everyday life.

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"I naturally listened to—and fell in love with—Spanish music," he says, recalling his early exposure to a rich tapestry of sounds. His parents, who were raised in Tijuana, Mexico, had an eclectic taste that exposed him to everything from oldies and rock to gospel and ballads. These early influences, he explains, "continue to resonate with me to this day."

While his roots are firmly planted in Latin sounds, Swayze’s DJ style is a testament to the universal language of music.

"I don’t think my style can be boxed into just one genre," he says. "My foundation is rooted in hip hop—and hip hop itself pulls inspiration from every corner of music." He credits his discovery of many different genres to hip-hop samples, which led him to explore everything from salsa and cumbia to Nuyorican soul and Brazilian funk. This love for discovery is at the core of his craft.

He's a true crate-digger, always on the hunt for older tracks to creatively weave into his sets.

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When it comes to his biggest influences, the list is long, but some names stand out. He points to artists and DJs like Kenny Dope, Cypress Hill, The Beatnuts, Funkdoobiest, Control Machete, and Tony Touch as early inspirations. As for a dream collaboration? He finds it hard to choose, but ultimately settles on two old-school legends: Ralfi Pagán or Germain De La Fuentes.

For Swayze, his work is more than just playing records; it's a way to celebrate and uplift his community. He believes in recognizing that "we celebrate our heritage every day simply by living authentically." It’s through "uplifting others, showing kindness, and spreading love" that he feels he embodies the values that define his culture.

This sense of pride is amplified during Hispanic Heritage Month. While he believes in celebrating culture daily, he finds the official recognition "especially meaningful." He sees it as a crucial moment to highlight the richness of Latino culture—our history, traditions, and the many contributions we've made, not just to our communities but to American society as a whole.

His hope is that people from all backgrounds use this time to "learn, connect, and celebrate with us."

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And when it comes to getting people on the dance floor, there's one track that never fails. He calls out "Cariñito" by the Peruvian Chicha band, Los Hijos del Sol. "From the moment the guitar intro kicks in and the drums drop, it just feels like a celebration," he says.

The song has an infectious call-and-response energy that fills the room with joy. "Whenever I put the needle on that record," he adds, "someone always ends up singing at the top of their lungs while others can’t help but dance. That’s magic!"

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