Swizz Beatz

Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz performing at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2007
Background information
Birth name	Kasseem Dean
Born	September 13, 1978 (1978-09-13) (age 31)
Origin	Bronx, New York
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Record producer, rapper, record executive
Instruments	keyboard, sampler
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Full Surface, DreamWorks, Ruff Ryders, Interscope, Universal
Website	SwizzBeatzOnline.com

Kasseem Dean (born September 13, 1978^[1] in Bronx, New York) better known by his stage name Swizz Beatz, although not of Swiss descent, is an American record producer and rapper. Swizz, wife R&B singer Mashonda, and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records.

Biography

With his aunt Chivon Dean, and uncles Dee and Waah Dean involved with the Ruff Ryders label, he began to produce tracks at the age of 16. He sold his first beat at 17 which became DMX's hit single "Ruff Ryders Anthem". He started working with Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella Records, Elektra Records, Epic Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Bad Boy Entertainment and his career blew up from there. But it wasn't until his first solo album, 2002's Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories, that he started to get noticed for his production style and interesting ideas. He released two singles "Guilty" and "Bigger Business" and both had music videos^[2].

Swizz Beatz has his own record label called Full Surface which was helped developed by Cassidy and is currently working on albums by Cassidy, Jay-Z, 2 Much, 50 Cent, Drag-On, Papoose, Busta Rhymes, Ruff Ryders, Whitney Houston, Eve, T.I., Lil Wayne, Bow Wow, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Lil Jon and Ludacris^[3] He is also set to be recording the new album for his close friend DMX which is confirmed to be titled Walk with Me Now and You'll Fly with Me Later. He then produced fellow Bronx rapper Remy Ma's single "Whuteva". It was also confirmed he will be working with Jennifer Lopez for the first time on her new album ^[4].

In February 2007 the producer mixed the music for design duo Heatherette's Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week runway show.^{[citation needed]}

Swizz Beatz released his first proper solo album titled One Man Band Man on August 21, 2007, selling 45,000 records in its first week of release including songs such as "It's Me Bitches", and "Money in the Bank".

On October 19, 2007, as an extension to his first solo project, Swizz Beatz launched a contest called "Music Video 2.0" and "The Source Magazine Presents Share the Studio." The contest and allows unsigned/indie music artists the opportunity to compete on the Music Video 2.0 website for the chance to open for Swizz Beatz at a NYC event.

Swizz Beatz also did an interview with MTV about his next album stating he just leaked a record called "Hard Knocks" with Drag-On. It's the first offering from Beatz's upcoming follow-up to One Man Band Man.^[5]

He later announced that his second album would be entitled Life After the Party.^[6]

April 24, 2009 Swizz Beatz did a promo song for Hennessy Black, entitled "When I Step In The Club". A video was made and was directed by Hype Williams.^[7]

Swizz Beats also helped produce and performs in I Can Transform Ya by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne.

Personal life

Swizz has a son named Prince, born in 2000, with an ex girlfriend. In 2004, Swizz Beatz married R&B singer Mashonda. In January 2007 their son Kasseem Jr was born. In April 2009, the couple announced their plans to divorce after four years of marriage. Rumors have since surfaced online suggesting Alicia Keys was involved in the break-up ^[8], but Swizz dismissed the rumors saying that that is far from the truth ^[9]. In May 2009, Swizz Beatz admitted to having a relationship with Alicia Keys. He explained that he's kept their relationship under wraps because he didn't want to aggravate Mashonda and says that what he and Keys have is "so precious"^[10].

Swizz Beatz is a painting collector and a painter himself on his own free time ^[11]. He donates the money he earns from his paintings to the Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation.

Awards and Nominations

Urban Music Awards

• 2009
  • Best Producer: (Won)

Discography

Solo albums

• 2002: G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories
• 2007: One Man Band Man
• 2010: Life After the Party

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Swizz Beatz

• Official site