Teddy Swims | |
|---|---|
 Swims in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1992-09-25)September 25, 1992 (age 33) |
| Origin | Conyers, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Warner |
| Formerly of | WildHeart |
| Website | www |
Jaten Collin Dimsdale (born September 25, 1992), known professionally asTeddy Swims, is an American singer and songwriter. Known for creating genre-blending music that includes elements ofpop,R&B,soul,hip-hop,rock, andcountry, Swims originally began to attract fans by posting song covers onYouTube during 2019 and 2020.[4] Swims's third extended play,Tough Love (2022), became his first entry on theBillboard 200.
Swims rose to prominence in 2023 with the release of the hit single "Lose Control", which peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries and topped theBillboard Hot 100 the next year. The song preceded the release of Swims's debut studio album,I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) (2023), which was released byWarner Records and entered the top ten of the album charts in Australia and the Netherlands. In 2024,MTV named Swims its "Push Artist of February".[5]
Swims was born inConyers, Georgia, on September 25, 1992, and grew up in that city. His maternal grandfather was aPentecostal minister.[6][7] His father introduced him to soul music at an early age by way of artists such asMarvin Gaye,Stevie Wonder, andAl Green. High school musical theater provided him an avenue into performing. Offstage, he would review YouTube videos of his favorite singers with a couple of supportive teachers to help develop his vocal technique and presentation.[8] Swims's family wereAmerican football enthusiasts; he had been playing football for ten years when, during his second year atSalem High School, one of his teachers suggested he and a few of his teammates sign up for a musical theater class. The teacher also said he should join the chorus.[9]
Swims discovered his passion for performance through his experience in high-school theater, where he performed in musicals such asJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat andRent, as well asShakespeare plays.[10] He began playing instruments including piano andukulele, and watched YouTube videos of singers to help develop his vocal technique.[8][9]
Swims began his music career joining a variety ofAtlanta area bands, includingalternative rock bandWildHeart andpost-hardcore band Eris, as well as soul andhair metal cover bands. He was also the lead singer of progressive rock/R&B/soul band Elefvnts.[citation needed] In 2019, Swims' friend Addy Maxwell invited him to rap over some beats he had made, which earned the pair anopening slot on a U.S. tour withTyler Carter.[8][11] He adopted the stage name "Swims" from internet forum-speak—an acronym for "Someone Who Isn't Me Sometimes"—as a way to perform in character.[8][12]
In June, Swims posted his first cover performance on YouTube,Michael Jackson's "Rock with You", and continued posting additional covers of artists from a mix of genres, includingLewis Capaldi,Chris Stapleton,Amy Winehouse, andH.E.R.[10][13] His cover ofShania Twain's "You're Still the One" posted in October became his most viewed video, with 167 million views as of January 2024.[14] His videos accumulated millions of views quickly and after releasing one single "Night Off" independently in July, he signed a record deal withWarner Records in December.[8][15]
Swims released his debut major-label single, "Picky", in January 2020 and embarked on his first headline tour that month. He released several covers in the following months, including "Blinding Lights" in May,"What's Going On" in June (the royalties from which he donated to theNAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund), and "You're Still the One" (which he had previously posted on YouTube) in July.[14] Swims released his next single, "Broke", in August, and an additional version withThomas Rhett in October.[8][12] In February 2021, Swims released his single "My Bad", which he performed onThe Kelly Clarkson Show, and was named an "Artist You Need to Know" byRolling Stone magazine.[8][16] In March he released his single "Till I Change Your Mind", followed by "Bed On Fire" in April, which he performed onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert and later re-released as a collaboration withIngrid Andress.[17][18][19] In May, Swims released his debut seven-track EPUnlearning, followed by a tour supportingZac Brown Band that summer.[20] In August 2021, Swims released his single "Simple Things", which he performed onThe Late Late Show with James Corden in September andToday in November.[21][22][23]
After releasing his single "911", Swims released his six-track EPTough Love in January 2022.[9][24] He performed "Love for a Minute" onLate Night with Seth Meyers in January and "911" onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show in February.[19][25] Swims supported the EP with a three-month headline tour of Europe and North America beginning in February, followed by a United Kingdom andmainland Europe tour in May and June.[19][15] He collaborated withMeghan Trainor on "Bad for Me", released on June 24 as the lead single for her albumTakin' It Back.[26][27] Swims and Trainor performed the song onJimmy Kimmel Live! in June andThe Late Late Show with James Corden in August.[27][28] Swims also collaborated on singles withMitchell Tenpenny,Illenium,MK andBURNS, and Telykast. After releasing a short performance clip in May, Swims released a cover ofJourney's "Don't Stop Believin'" in August. He performed the song onAmerica's Got Talent alongsideseason 14 winnerKodi Lee andJourney guitaristNeal Schon.[29] In September Swims embarked on a seven-week US headline tour.[29]
After releasing the singles "Dose", "2 Moods", "Someone Who Loved You", and "Devil in a Dress", Swims released his EPSleep Is Exhausting on November 4, 2022.[30] He first appeared on theBillboard Hot 100 in June 2023 with the release of his single "Lose Control". The single is from his 2023 debut album,I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1).[31]
In 2023, Swims collaborated withArmin van Buuren &Matoma,X Ambassadors,Maren Morris,Meghan Trainor, andElley Duhé.[32] In March, he announced his I've Tried Everything but Therapy international headline tour, including shows in theUK,Ireland,Australia,Germany,Netherlands, andNew Zealand in July and August.[33] He also performed atBottleRock,Bamboozle,Boston Calling,TRNSMT, andLatitude music festivals the same year.[34][35][36][37][38] Teddy also opened for the rock bandGreta Van Fleet on the tour to support their new albumStarcatcher.
On December 6, 2023, Swims performed atAvicii Arena for the Togetherfor a Better Day concert.[39] The concert promoted mental health awareness and was sponsored by theTim Bergling Foundation to honor the memory of the Swedish DJAvicii. At the concert, Swims performed his song "Lose Control" andColdplay's "A Sky Full of Stars", which Avicii produced.
In September 2025, it was announced that Swims will perform at the 2025NRL Grand Final.[40]
On January 8, 2025, Swims and his girlfriend, Raiche Wright, revealed that they were expecting their first child.[41] On June 27, he announced the birth of their son.[42]
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | MTV Video Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Lose Control" | Nominated | |
| Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Push Performance of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| Best Alternative | "Lose Control" (Live) | Nominated | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Best Push | Nominated | ||||
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Breakout Artist | Nominated | |||
| NRJ Music Awards | International Revelation of the Year | Nominated | |||
| International Hit of the Year | "Lose Control" | Nominated | |||
| Most Radio Airplay in France | Won | ||||
| Los 40 Music Awards | Best International Song | Nominated | |||
| Best International Album | I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) | Won | |||
| Best International Act | Himself | Won | |||
| Best International Live Act | Nominated | ||||
| Billboard Music Awards | Top New Artist | Nominated | |||
| Top Song Sales Artist | Nominated | ||||
| Top Hot 100 Song | "Lose Control" | Won | |||
| Top Streaming Song | Nominated | ||||
| Top Radio Song | Won | ||||
| Top Selling Song | Nominated | ||||
| Top Billboard Global 200 Song | Nominated | ||||
| Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song | Nominated | ||||
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| Brit Awards | International Song of the Year | "Lose Control" | Nominated | ||
| American Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Pop Song | Nominated | ||||
| New Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Male Pop Artist | Nominated | ||||
| Swiss Music Awards | Best International Breaking Act | Nominated | |||
| Best International Hit | "Lose Control" | Nominated | |||
| Los 40 Music Awards | Best International Song | "The Door" | Nominated | ||
| 2026 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Vocal Album | I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2) | Pending |
This year, it turns out the answer is American soul and country singer Teddy Swims, who will entertain 80,000 rugby league fans at the 2025 NRL and NRLW grand finals. Swims who was nominated for Best New Artist at this year's Grammy Awards, will headline the pre-game event, before touring Australia and New Zealand.