The Signature LP is the second studio album by British rapper Sway DaSafo, released on 5 October 2008. Most of the album was produced by Sway with his Dcypha Productions team; other producers included Louis Gibzen, Guy Katsav and Akon.
Contents
Background
Plans for Sway's second album were made from the outset of his career. It was originally planned to be called This Is My Album, continuing with the This Is My... series which Sway had used for the titles of his first mixtapes and debut album. It was originally scheduled to be released on 5 May 2008 but was pushed back to 5 October 2008 to accommodate "Silver and Gold" featuring Akon. Sway released a free mixtape, titled The Signature Mixtape, to coincide with the album's release.
During the production of the album, Sway was affected by the deaths of close friends and family, to whom he dedicated the album to and mentioned in several tracks including "Pray 4 Kaya" which is dedicated Kaya Bousquet who died in early 2008.
The first single release from the album was "F Ur X", featuring $tush. The video for the song was released in May 2008. The music video features actors from Kidulthood and Adulthood and also includes Ashley Walters, Bashy and also Chipmunk. The second single was "Saturday Night Hustle", featuring soul singer Lemar. The third single was "Silver & Gold" featuring Akon which peaked at 67. A video was made for the single which features a cameo appearance from the footballer El Hadj Diouf.
The Signature LP reached number 51 in the charts in the week after release.
Production
Production of tracks for the album commenced in 2006 upon the release of This Is My Demo. Like his debut album, many of the tracks were produced by Sway himself as part of his DCypha Productions group. Sway was the executive producer with the co-executive producers being DJ Turkish, Bommer, Cheifer, Stowne and Daniel Goldberg. It was mastered by Naweed at Whitfield Mastering London. The album cover art and booklet was designed by Barrie Bee using photography from Alex Lake.
"Fit 4 A King" was produced and written by Sway with additional production and drum programming by Raptor for DCypha. It featured the London Studio Orchestra who performed at Angel Recording Studios for the track. The track featured additional vocals from Kadija Kamara, Tijani Aminu, Paul Cellantas and Kevin Tuffy who were all recorded at Soho Recording Studios. These were mixed by Guy Katsav at the Gaffe Studios.
"Say It Twice" was written by Sway and produced by DJ Turkish at Soho Recording Studios. "Saturday Night Hustle" involved the vocals of Lemar, who was recorded at Olympic Recording Studios, and Sewuese, who was recorded at Soho Recording Studios, as well as Sway, who was recorded at Apollo 440's Apollo Control Studios by Ashley Krajewski. The track, produced by Shux, was an adaptation of "Saturday Love" by Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle. This was also mixed Guy Katsav.
"Silver & Gold" was produced by Sway, Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort, and mixed by Mark Goodchild on Akon's tour bus.
"F UR X" was produced by Sway and Youngster of DDSS Productions and mixed at The Gaffe Studios by DJ Turkish and Guy Katsav.
"Jason Waste" was produced by Sway and featured the vocals of Ellen King. It was recorded and mixed by Joe Fields and Ashley Krajewski at Soho Recording Studios and Apollo Control Studios, respectively.
"Look After My Girl" was produced by both Sway and Emile with mixing done by Guy Katsav and DJ Turkish at The Gaffe Studios.