FaZe Swagg talks gaming ‘firsts,’ his 17-hour stream session, and the game that started it all

Kris Lamberson, more commonly known as “FaZe Swagg” to his 600,000-plus Instagram followers, has 2.1 million followers on Twitch and 2.54 million YouTube subscribers that watch his streams on a regular basis.  

He joined FaZe back in 2020 as the first black member of FaZe Clan and is one of the most recognizable content creators on the planet. But you probably knew that.

Did you know that popcorn is his go-to snack while streaming? What about that he has a pre-game ritual before every tournament or that his longest stream lasted 17 hours?

These are the sort of things we wanted to know about Swagg. And ahead of the launch of his custom SCUF controller, we were able to do just that.  

Enjoy this exclusive Q&A to learn more about Swagg’s gaming “firsts,” the inspiration behind his new controller, and more.  

What’s the first game you ever played?

It all started with NBA Live 2003 on PS2. I would always play this game with my dad. 

What’s the first console you ever played on?

PS2. My mom got us one for Christmas, along with a few games. Me and my brother would go with her to Blockbuster all the time to rent games for it. 

How did you get into gaming?  

My friend Kaleb showed me Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in high school, and I was hooked. From there, I borrowed Jsmooth’s copy and played MW3 every day. 

What’s the hardest game you’ve ever played?

Fortnite Building on PlayStation. It’s way harder to play on a controller compared to a keyboard and mouse. 

What’s your favorite COD of all time?  

MW3, no question. It’s the first COD I ever played and the one that started it all for me. 

Who’s your favorite person to play with and why?

Jsmooth, hands down. He’s goofy, and there’s never a dull moment with him.  

What’s the longest stream you’ve ever had?

17 hours – when Caldera dropped. Just the hype over the new map and getting to experience it on the first day kept me wanting to play. 

Do you have a favorite thing to snack on while gaming?

Popcorn. It’s easy to eat in between games, and it’s just so good. Even at night watching a movie or at the movie theater, you’ll always see me with popcorn. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

On tournament days, I always wear my FaZe jersey and just get hyped with chat before the tourney starts.  

In terms of your time as a basketball player, obviously the two sports require a different level of physical and mental stamina, but is there a correlation you’ve found between the two?

Just understanding the balance between not overworking myself and making sure my mind is always right. The gym helps a lot with that – especially since basketball was a lot more physically demanding than playing video games. It's a lot more important for me to work out now, as it helps me mentally reset.  

What was the inspiration behind the design of your SCUF controller?

My Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Brabus. It’s Miami Blue, and I loved the color. So, I figured why not put it on a controller? 

What does it mean to you to now be partnered with SCUF for five years?  

It’s great. I've been using SCUF controllers since I started playing COD. To be able to partner with them for the last five years is a surreal feeling. Best controllers in the game!