Swizz Beatz

Background

Kasseem Daoud Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, is a record label boss and rapper whose undeniable talents set him apart in the music industry. Dean was born on September 13, 1978. His birthplace is the Bronx, New York. He is a Virgo by design and of Jamaican, Puerto Rican, and African descent. Dean was raised by his mother and first encountered hip-hop in childhood. He started deejaying in his teen years and attended Harry S. Truman High School. Following his series of violent behaviors in school, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he lived with his uncles. Dean’s uncles, Joaquin and Darrin, were Ruff Ryders Entertainment’s co-CEOs. This relocation placed him close to where music was created, and by 16, Dean began producing his tracks. When Dean turned 17, he sold his first beat to D.M.X., the label’s artist.

By 1998, Dean produced “Banned from T.V.” and “Money, Cash, Hoes,” by Noreaga and Jay-Z, respectively. He also produced Eve’s debut album, and in 2001, Dean created his record label, Full Surface Records, with Clive Davis. He signed Cassidy as his first artist. Dean released his first compilation album, “Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories,” in 2002. He expanded his reach and started producing songs for artists from mainstream record labels like Elektra, and Bad Boy Entertainment. Dean released his solo debut studio album, “One Man Band Man,” in August 2007. He signed Eve to Full Surface Records the same year. By 2009, Dean had produced singles like ‘Nasty Girl’ by Ludacris, ‘I Can Transform Ya’ by Chris Brown, ‘On to the Next One’ by Jay-Z and many more. He received a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2011 for ‘On to the Next One.’

Dean has a successful career as a producer and rapper. He was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2014 and launched the Verzuz Instagram webcast series with Timbaland in 2020. There’s so much more that Swizz Beatz has been a part of. He has been instrumental in the success of multiple artists in the music industry, which is why he’s so revered. As a highly successful and respected record producer/rapper, Dean’s private life has been a public spectacle. He got married to singer Mashonda Tifrere in 2004. They had one child before their divorce in 2010. Dean got married to Alicia Keys in 2010, and they have two sons together. Altogether, Dean has five children from three women.