Swizz Beatz

Swizz Beatz (born Kasseem Daoud Dean) is an American DJ, record producer and rapper. He was born in the Bronx, New York, where he was raised in a music-immersed household. His uncles, who founded the record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment, began providing him equipment so he could begin DJing. By age 16, he was producing tracks for the Ruff Ryders roster.

After signing to Ruff Ryders as a producer, he saw his first career hit with DMX’s “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.” In 2001, he launched his own label, Full Surface Records, and, the following year, he released the compilation album Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories. Throughout his career, he has produced hit songs for stars such as Beyoncé, Jay‑Z and Lil Wayne, helping cement his reputation in hip-hop.

Notable works include his solo album One Man Band Man (2007) featuring singles like “Big Munny” and “Money in the Bank.” As a producer, he was awarded a Grammy in 2011 for Best Performance by a Duo or Group for his and Jay-Z’s “On to the Next One.” He also cocreated the music battle series VERZUZ with producer Timbaland, and the show gained enormous popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swizz Beatz previously dated singer Mashonda from 1998 to 2008. He married singer Alicia Keys in 2010, and the couple share sons Egypt (born in 2010) and Genesis (born in 2014). He also has two sons, Prince (born in 2000) and Kasseem (born in 2006), and a daughter, Nicole (born in 2008), from previous relationships.