Life looks different for Teddy Swims these days — softer, slower, and full of laughter. The soulful “Lose Control” singer opens up about becoming a father for the first time, sharing how his baby boy has completely changed his heart, his rhythm, and the way he sees the world

Teddy Swims is in the happiest season of his life — and it shows in every word, every smile, and every note he sings. The breakout artist, known for his powerhouse voice and heartfelt blend of soul and pop, recently welcomed his first child with his partner, singer Raiche Wright. The arrival of their baby boy, now four months old, has transformed everything about him — his perspective, his priorities, even the way he writes music.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Swims spoke candidly about fatherhood and the emotional journey that came with it. “There’s nothing like seeing your baby smile,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “The past few months have been magic. He’s started laughing and playing, and when I walk into the room, he looks at me and smiles. He knows I’m there. That’s the most amazing thing.”

The singer, who has spent years pouring his emotions into music, now finds himself living the kind of love he used to only write about. Raiche announced her pregnancy earlier this year through a heartfelt Instagram post that read, “We’re so excited to finally share our little miracle with everyone. Thank you for all the love and support.” In June, the couple welcomed their son — and from that moment, life took on an entirely new meaning.

Fatherhood, Swims admits, has been both thrilling and humbling. “It’s scary and beautiful at the same time,” he shared with a laugh. “Being a dad isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up. You pretend to know what you’re doing even when you don’t, and somehow, that’s what makes it right.” His words capture the honesty that has always made him so relatable.

He recalls one night when the baby woke up crying, and instinctively, he rushed to the crib. “I picked him up and said, ‘You’re not alone, little man. Daddy’s here.’ And then he looked up and smiled — just the sweetest smile. That was everything. That moment was everything.”

Swims’s relationship with Raiche, already grounded in love and respect, has deepened since becoming parents. “There was no adjustment period for her,” he said with admiration. “She just knew. From the second he was born, she was a mother. Watching her with him — it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She understands every sound he makes, every tiny expression. It’s amazing.”

That sense of wonder has spilled over into his artistry. While Swims jokes that he’s “the most tired but happiest” he’s ever been, he admits that fatherhood has given him a new creative fire. “It’s inspired me in a way nothing else ever has. It makes me want to write about the real stuff — the kind of love that builds your life, not just your heart.”

In a recent partnership interview with Booking.com, Swims spoke about how being a dad shifted his definition of success. “It’s not just about the numbers or awards anymore,” he said. “It’s about what you leave behind — something meaningful. For me, that’s my family. That’s what matters now.”

Still, he’s honest about the challenges. Late nights, diaper changes, and the unpredictable chaos of a newborn have become part of his everyday routine. “There are times I can’t get him to sleep for hours because he sees me and thinks it’s time to play,” he said, smiling. “But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s the most beautiful kind of chaos.”

For Swims, the experience has redefined his understanding of love. “You think you know love, and then you see your baby smile — and suddenly everything else fades,” he said. “It’s pure. It’s unconditional. It’s everything you thought you understood about life, rewritten.”

The Georgia-born artist, whose real name is Jaten Dimsdale, first captured the world’s attention with his rich, raspy tone and emotionally charged covers on YouTube. Since then, he’s built a career that balances authenticity with raw soul, earning Grammy nominations and a devoted global following. Songs like “Lose Control” and “The Door” have become modern anthems for heartbreak and hope — and now, as a father, he’s finding new meaning in his own lyrics.

Even his live performances have taken on a new energy. Fans say they can feel the shift — a calmer confidence, a quieter joy behind every song. Swims doesn’t deny it. “When I step on stage now, I carry my son with me,” he explained. “He’s my reminder of why I do what I do. Every show, every song — it’s all for him.”

His music, always deeply personal, has become even more intimate. “I used to write about love and loss from my own pain,” he said. “Now I write about love that creates life — the kind that gives you purpose. It’s not about heartbreak anymore. It’s about gratitude.”

Despite his growing fame, Swims remains grounded, crediting his family for keeping him steady. “They remind me of what’s real,” he said. “No matter how crazy life gets, I come home, and there’s my little guy smiling up at me. That’s all the success I need.”

He laughs when asked if he feels ready for the next stages of fatherhood. “Ready? Nobody’s ever ready,” he joked. “But I’m learning every day. You make mistakes, you get things wrong, and somehow, that’s the beauty of it. As long as there’s love, you’re doing it right.”

Swims’s authenticity — the unfiltered honesty that runs through his songs and interviews alike — is what continues to set him apart. He doesn’t try to be the perfect dad or the flawless star. He’s simply real — a man growing, learning, and loving out loud.

“Every time he smiles at me, I know I’m doing something right,” he said. “That’s our bond. That’s what keeps me going. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world. And yeah — it’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

It’s a softer side of Teddy Swims, but also his truest. The same soulful energy that made him one of music’s most compelling voices now finds a new home — not just on stage, but in a quiet nursery, where a father rocks his son to sleep, humming a melody that only they share.