Swerve Strickland highlights the importance of the crossover between wrestling and hip-hop.
A number of noteworthy names from the hip-hop world have appeared on AEW programming, including Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Kevin Gates, Trina, Fabulous, and Westside Gunn
ick Ross. AEW also has had past appearances from rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Trina, Kevin Gates and Fabolous. Most recently, Strickland was on camera with Tech N9ne
Speaking with Jason Jones of The Atlantic, Strickland discussed the crossover of wrestling and hip-hop. He noted that wrestling fans can be “very timid” in this regard, as they don’t understand the music or the reach of the artist. However, he pointed to events like WaleMania as one way to bridge the gap.
“It’s huge for wrestlers to see there’s a movement on that side, too,” Strickland said. “The fan base of wrestling is very timid when it comes to that, when it comes to hip-hop … (They) don’t understand the music, how big the artist is, or (why) the music is aggressive. The WaleManias and stuff like that brings them in and they get a little more comfortable with it.”
Strickland continued by stating that the goal is to get as much of a cultural crossover as possible, as it can bring in new fans from outside of the wrestling world.
“That’s a cultural crossover, and the goal is to get as much of that as possible,” Strickland said. “It’s cool to come to a wrestling show, to an AEW show. It’s cool to wear the Mogul Affiliates as part of our cultural wear.”
