Kasseem Dean
(born September 13, 1978), [1] better known by his stage name Swizz Beatz
, is an American record producer and rapper. He is the founder of the label Full Surface Records.
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SWIZZ BEATZ TICKETS
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Biography
Personal life
In 2004, Swizz Beatz married R&B singer
Mashonda, together they have a son, Kasseem Jr., who was born in January 2007. In April 2009, the couple divorced after four years of marriage. Rumors have since surfaced online suggesting
Alicia Keys was involved in the break-up
[2], but Swizz dismissed the rumors saying that that is far from the truth.
[3] 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."
[4] Swizz Beatz is a painting collector and a painter himself on his own free time. He donates the money he earns from his paintings to the Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation.
[5]
Career
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 notices for his production style and interesting ideas. He released two singles "Guilty" and "Bigger Business" and both had music videos.
[6]
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.
[7] 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.
[8]
In February 2007 the producer mixed the music for design duo
Heatherette's Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week runway show.
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
.
[9]
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He later announced that his second album would be entitled
Life After the Party
.
[10]
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
Hype Williams.
[11]
Awards and Nominations
Urban Music Awards
- 2009
- * Best Producer: (Won)
Discography
Solo albums
- 2007: One Man Band Man
- 2009: Life After the Party
Compilation albums
- 2002: G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories
References
- Swizz Beatz Biography
- Swizz Beatz and Wife Split
- Swizz Beatz Addresses Alicia Keys Rumors - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
- Swizz Beatz Admits To Relationship With Alicia Keys
- Swizz Beatz: Pupil of Paint
- DisCogs entry. Swizz Beatz at Discogs. Discogs. Accessed August 23, 2007.
- Swizz Beatz is working with Eminem, Lil John and Ludacris
- J. Lo Taps Swizz Beatz For 'Danceable' English-Language Album
- Swizz Beatz Working On New Bangers For Usher, 50 Cent, Ruff Ryders, Himself
- Bun B and Swizz Beatz
- Hennessy Black Cognac Promotes w/Swizz Beats' When I Step In the Club Video, Up/Down Dance Contest