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The Daily OrangeQ & A With Sway Calloway of MTV News
By Taj Chrisp
Posted: 10/19/07, 1:02 AM EST Section: Feature
Sway Calloway of MTV News visited Syracuse University Thursday to talk about his rise to the top of the media game and the experiences that got him to where he is today.
Hailing from Oakland, Calif., Calloway had a very unconventional start at MTV. Calloway turned down offers from the network three times before accepting a position that would eventually change his life.
Calloway currently develops shows that focus on social issues affecting the African-American community.
Calloway's creative mind has also led him to be an executive producer at MTV, following in the steps of MTV VJ Carson Daly.
The Daily Orange: How do you feel about having such a large influence on MTV, specifically and especially as an African-American man?
Sway Calloway: I'm excited. You know when you're in this business, a certain amount of visibility turns into celebrity, if you will. I never would embrace it in the beginning because I lived my life as a normal person. I always count it as a blessing and keep humble. I'm really about that because I've seen life from different levels, and I'm just happy to be where I'm at.
Having the ability to affect and impact others in a positive way, I'm trying to utilize this platform to do as much as possible. And especially in the black community because we don't have a lot of role models, or you don't have people who are willing to be role models. If people see you on TV, it can do a lot because people prescribe to that regardless of what you do.
What is your favorite type of story to cover? Is it entertainment or something political, especially at this point in your career?
Actually, I got bored with covering music and artists, you know, the typical sit down, one-on-one interview about their record. So, I feel more gratified when I cover issues, social issues like Jena Six, like Hurricane Katrina, like Virginia Tech. It affects people in a good way, or a positive way. It's therapeutic. And I know I'm helping. And I don't know how long I'll be doing this, but I want to know that I'm helping somebody. … If I had to pick one, I'd pick the social issues, the more serious stories.
Who was your favorite interview? Was it a celebrity or a real person in a community, like on El Barrio in Puerto Rico?
That show in Puerto Rico was amazing with Tego Calderon. … It was an exhilarating experience. I can't say what's better than the other, but I do like exposing people to culture, so when it has to do with pieces like that, I really enjoy it. I enjoy it when we are informing people about things that can impact their lives, like Jena Six.
What is one word or phrase that you would use to describe yourself.
Blessed.
Hailing from Oakland, Calif., Calloway had a very unconventional start at MTV. Calloway turned down offers from the network three times before accepting a position that would eventually change his life.
Calloway currently develops shows that focus on social issues affecting the African-American community.
Calloway's creative mind has also led him to be an executive producer at MTV, following in the steps of MTV VJ Carson Daly.
The Daily Orange: How do you feel about having such a large influence on MTV, specifically and especially as an African-American man?
Sway Calloway: I'm excited. You know when you're in this business, a certain amount of visibility turns into celebrity, if you will. I never would embrace it in the beginning because I lived my life as a normal person. I always count it as a blessing and keep humble. I'm really about that because I've seen life from different levels, and I'm just happy to be where I'm at.
Having the ability to affect and impact others in a positive way, I'm trying to utilize this platform to do as much as possible. And especially in the black community because we don't have a lot of role models, or you don't have people who are willing to be role models. If people see you on TV, it can do a lot because people prescribe to that regardless of what you do.
What is your favorite type of story to cover? Is it entertainment or something political, especially at this point in your career?
Actually, I got bored with covering music and artists, you know, the typical sit down, one-on-one interview about their record. So, I feel more gratified when I cover issues, social issues like Jena Six, like Hurricane Katrina, like Virginia Tech. It affects people in a good way, or a positive way. It's therapeutic. And I know I'm helping. And I don't know how long I'll be doing this, but I want to know that I'm helping somebody. … If I had to pick one, I'd pick the social issues, the more serious stories.
Who was your favorite interview? Was it a celebrity or a real person in a community, like on El Barrio in Puerto Rico?
That show in Puerto Rico was amazing with Tego Calderon. … It was an exhilarating experience. I can't say what's better than the other, but I do like exposing people to culture, so when it has to do with pieces like that, I really enjoy it. I enjoy it when we are informing people about things that can impact their lives, like Jena Six.
What is one word or phrase that you would use to describe yourself.
Blessed.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Dee Hooover
posted 3/05/09 @ 3:39 AM EST
I just loved Sway Calloway, I was just wondering when is his birthday. And I'm from Oakland to.
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