Kasseem Dean better known by his stage name,
Swizz Beatz, is an American
record producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, DJ, rapper and
painterPainting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper
DMXEarl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label
Full Surface RecordsFull Surface Records is a record label founded by hip hop producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean in 2001, with the help of Cassidy though he has left due to legal and money issues. The label used to operate through Sony Music Entertainment's, J Records and through Universal Music Group's, Interscope...
. He is married to
Contemporary R&BContemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
superstar
Alicia KeysAlicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
and has one child with her, as well as three other children.
Early life
Dean did not see much of his father, a postal worker, due to his parents' separation in his early life. He was raised by his mother in the
South BronxThe South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
, where he spent most of his childhood. This was where he first encountered
Hip hopHip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
and began deejaying. He began deejaying after he got some equipment from his stepfather and his uncles. He later relocated to Atlanta as a teenager due to having too many fights at
Harry S. Truman High SchoolHarry S Truman High School is a public high school at 750 Baychester Avenue, in the Bronx, New York City, United States. The school is designated as an Empowerment School by the New York City Department of Education, which allows it more autonomy in choosing a curriculum...
; there he started to work for his uncles, Joaquin and Darrin Dean, who were co-CEOs of the
Ruff RydersRuff Ryders Entertainment is a record label founded by brothers Darrin "Dee" Dean and Joaquin "Waah" Dean, uncles of producer Swizz Beatz. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Fontana Distribution.The label is currently active as Ruff Ryders...
label. Forgoing the practice of using samples, he mostly used the
Korgis a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
TrinityKorg Trinity is a commercially successful synthesizer music workstation released by Korg in 1996. It was also the first workstation to offer modular expansion for not only sounds, but also studio-grade feature such as SCSI, ADAT, various sound engine processors, audio recording capability, and more...
and
TritonKorg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer featuring digital sampling and sequencing created by Korg. All Tritons use Korg's HI Synthesis tone generator. They are available in several models and various upgrade configurations. The Triton is world famous among many musicians for being a...
Keyboards and tried to accentuate the performance aspect of his music.
1998–02: Music beginnings
With his uncles (Chivon, Dee, and Waah Dean) involved with the
Ruff RydersRuff Ryders Entertainment is a record label founded by brothers Darrin "Dee" Dean and Joaquin "Waah" Dean, uncles of producer Swizz Beatz. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Fontana Distribution.The label is currently active as Ruff Ryders...
label, he began to produce tracks at the age of 16. He sold his first beat at 17 which became
DMXEarl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
's hit single "
Ruff Ryders' Anthem"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is the fourth and final single by DMX from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. It ranks at #79 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In the U.S. it peaked at #94 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Production:...
". In 2001 at the age of 23 he established his own record label, Full Surface, in a joint venture with
Clive DavisClive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
of
J RecordsJ Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
. The first artist signed was Philadelphia-based rapper Cassidy. But it was not until Swizz's first compilation album, 2002's Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories, that he started to get notices for his production style and interesting ideas and Cassidy began to get attention. He released two singles "Guilty" and "Bigger Business", both charted on the
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
and were accompanied by music videos. Swizz Beatz along with being associated with
Ruff RydersRuff Ryders Entertainment is a record label founded by brothers Darrin "Dee" Dean and Joaquin "Waah" Dean, uncles of producer Swizz Beatz. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Fontana Distribution.The label is currently active as Ruff Ryders...
&
Roc-A-Fella RecordsRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
, began to produce for artists from labels such as
Elektra RecordsElektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
,
Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
,
Epic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
,
Def Jam RecordingsDef Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
, and Bad Boy Entertainment and his career largely grew from that point.
2006–07: One Man Band Man
In February 2007, the producer mixed the music for design duo
HeatheretteHeatherette is a fashion company and design house run by and former Club Kid Richie Rich, located in New York City. Heatherette came out with a bang in 1999 when they began collaborating on t-shirts and leather goods as a hobby on their living room floor...
's Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week runway show.
On August 21, 2007, Swizz Beatz released his second solo album, titled
One Man Band ManSample credits*"It's Me Bitches" – Contains a sample of "Hollywood Babylon" by Crazy Town.*"Bust Ya Gunz" – Embodies portions of "Down Bottom" by Drag-On.*"Take a Picture" – Contains a sample of "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers....
. The album sold 45,000 records in its first week and includes singles "
It's Me Bitches"It's Me Bitches", also known censored as "It's Me Snitches", is the first single from Swizz Beatz's debut studio album, One Man Band Man . The song was released February 13, 2007. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 100 and peaked at number 83.An edited version of the song was...
" and "
Money in the Bank"Money in the Bank" is the second single from Swizz Beatz's album, One Man Band Man . The song was released on his MySpace page and then on iTunes on May 29, 2007. The official remix features Young Jeezy, Eve and Elephant Man. The music video was premiered on BET's 106 & Park on August 1, 2007...
".
On October 19, 2007, Swizz Beatz launched a contest called "Share the Studio", presented by Music Video 2.0 and
The SourceThe Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
magazine. The contest was intended to be a continuation of the work from his debut album.
In 2007 Swizz Beatz signed longtime friend
Drag-OnMel Jason Smalls , better known as Drag-On, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York City.Drag-On was originally signed to Interscope Records under the Ruff Ryders Entertainment imprint, where he released his successful debut album, Opposite of H2O, which debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200...
, legendary Cleveland-based rap group
Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyBone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...
, and former Ruff Ryder member Eve to his label.
2008–present: Haute Living
Undaunted by the disappointing sales of his last album,
One Man Band ManSample credits*"It's Me Bitches" – Contains a sample of "Hollywood Babylon" by Crazy Town.*"Bust Ya Gunz" – Embodies portions of "Down Bottom" by Drag-On.*"Take a Picture" – Contains a sample of "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers....
, Swizz Beatz is already hard at work on his second album (his second as an artist, however, it will be the third album he has released). In late 2007 Swizz Beatz confirmed it will be called Life After the Party in an interview with Format Magazine saying
April 24, 2009 Swizz Beatz did a promo song for
HennessyJas Hennessy & Co., or more simply Hennessy, is a world-leading cognac house with headquarters in Cognac, France. Today, the company of Jas Hennessy & Co...
Black, entitled "When I Step In The Club". A video was made and was directed by
Hype WilliamsHarold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
.
In 2010 on his Twitter Swizz Beatz renamed his album three times. He first announced he was calling it King Issues but later on that day settled on The Perception of Greatness, and on August 23 while in a studio session with
Mary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
in New York City, Swizz unveiled his new album title
Haute LivingHaute Living is the upcoming second studio album by American rapper and record producer Swizz Beatz, set to released later in 2012 through Full Surface Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Atlantic Records.-Background:...
, stating that it's the perfect phrase to represent what he's all about. Swizz Beatz announced while being interviewed on BBC Radio that he was planning to release it on September 13, to coincide with his birth date. The album will be released under his actual contract with Everest Entertainment/
AtlanticAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
/
WarnerWarner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
, who signed the rapper in August 2010. Confirmed guest appearances include
BonoPaul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
,
Travis BarkerTravis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
,
Kanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
,
Lil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
,
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
,
Lenny KravitzLeonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
,
Alicia KeysAlicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
,
Mary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
and
John LegendJohn Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
. On February 12, 2010, he and 81 other artists including Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Jamie Foxx, Will.i.am, and Usher, debuted "
We Are the World 25 for Haiti"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is a charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Haiti in 2010. It is a remake of the 1985 hit song "We Are the World", which was written by American musicians Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and was recorded by USA for Africa to benefit famine relief in...
" during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In 2010, inspired by
Kanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's
G.O.O.D. FridaysG.O.O.D. Fridays was a weekly free music giveaway started by rapper Kanye West. The name originates from the name of his label, G.O.O.D. Music, and is also a reference to the Friday before Easter, which is known as Good Friday. Every Friday, beginning on August 20, 2010, Kanye planned on releasing...
series, Swizz Beatz launched his own series of free weekly mp3s titled Monster Monday. The first song, "DJ Play that Beat" featuring
EstelleEstelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
, was released on October 25. Other Monster Monday tracks include features from
RakimWilliam Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
,
Pusha TTerrence Thornton better known by his stage name Pusha T is an American recording artist, occasional actor and one half of the critically acclaimed hip hop duo Clipse. He is also the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Re-Up Records along with his brother Gene 'Malice' Thornton...
, DMX, Busta Rhymes and Pharrell.
In 2011, Swizz Beatz won his first
Grammy AwardThe 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group with American rapper
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, for the song "
On To The Next One"On to the Next One" is a single by American hip hop rapper Jay-Z, released as the fourth single from his studio album The Blueprint 3 on his Roc Nation label, also released as the fourth single in the United Kingdom after "Young Forever"...
". The first single from Haute Living titled Everyday (Coolin') Produced by Joe Lindsay was released through monstermondays.com on March 28, 2011. The song features Eve. During an interview with Paper Mag, Swizz Beatz reveals some of the collaborations that will make their way on Haute Living. One of them is called ‘Skyscrapers’ featuring Kanye West and Bono.
On May 21, 2011, Swizz Beatz confirmed that
Dr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
was working on the album with him.
Producing career
Swizz Beatz produced hit songs for many elite
rapHip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, hip-hop soul and
R&BRhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
, such as
DMXEarl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
("Party Up (Up in Here)"), Beyoncé ("
Check on It"Check on It" is a song performed by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, featuring American rapper Slim Thug. It was composed by Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, Sean Garrett, Angela Beyincé and Stayve Thomas. The song was supposed to be featured on the soundtrack album for 2006 film The Pink...
", "
Ring the Alarm"Ring the Alarm" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . It was composed by Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, and Sean Garrett...
"),
T.I.Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
("Bring 'Em Out"),
Styles PDavid Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
("
Good Times"Good Times" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Styles P. The song serves as his debut single and the lead single off his debut studio album A Gangster and a Gentleman. It was produced by Swizz Beatz with additional production from Saint Denson and samples "I Get High " as performed by...
"), Cassidy ("
Hotel"Hotel" is the lead debut single from Cassidy's 2004 debut album Split Personality. The song was released as a single and charted in February 2004, reaching #4 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The chorus is sang by R&B singer R. Kelly, and makes lyrical references to The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's...
", "
I'm a Hustla"I'm a Hustla" is the lead single off rapper Cassidy's second studio album I'm a Hustla. The song is produced Swizz Beatz and contains a sample from "Dirt off Your Shoulder" by Jay-Z....
"),
Busta RhymesTrevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
("
Touch It"Touch It" is a rap/hip-hop song by Busta Rhymes which contains a sample from "Technologic" by the electronic band Daft Punk. Released as an official single on May 13, 2006, it was the first single from Rhymes' Aftermath/Interscope debut, The Big Bang...
") and
many moreThe following list is a discography of production by American hip hop record producer and recording artist Swizz Beatz. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by year, album, artist and title....
.
In 2003 he began to expand his label;
Big TiggerDarian "Big Tigger" Morgan , also known as Big Tigg; is an American television and radio personality best known as the host of BET's Rap City and 106 & Park.- :...
,
Keith SweatKeith Sweat is an American R&B/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the new jack swing era.-Music career:...
,
Bounty KillerBounty Killer is a Grammy nominated Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay. He is the founder of a dancehall collective known as The Alliance.-Early life and career:...
and
Yung WunJames Carlton Anderson better known by his stage name Yung Wun is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia.-Biography:Yung Wun was raised in Eastlake Meadows housing projects, otherwise known as "Little Vietnam". Yung Wun was very quickly exposed to the effects of crime and soon became involved...
were all in talks to signing with Full Surface but in the end only Yung Wun was signed. Yung Wun, whom Swizz took under his wing and was executive producer of his album,
The Dirtiest Thirstiest-Samples:*"Tear It Up"**"Dancing Machine" by The Jackson 5 *"One More Day In The Hood"**"Ships Ahoy!" by The O'Jays...
and co-produced the lead single "
Tear It Up"Tear It Up" is the second single from rapper Yung Wun's debut album, The Dirtiest Thirstiest. It features DMX, Lil' Flip and David Banner, the latter two of which had already scored a hit together in the form of "Like a Pimp"....
.
In 2009, Swizz Beatz produced many popular singles including "
Nasty Girl"Nasty Girl" is the third official single off Ludacris' sixth studio album, Theater of the Mind. The song features Plies and was produced by Swizz Beatz. The song was released to radio on January 20, 2009.-Music video:...
" by
LudacrisChristopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
featuring
PliesAlgernod Lanier Washington , better known by his stage name Plies, is an American rapper and founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of...
, "
Who's Real"Who's Real" is the fourth official single by rapper Jadakiss from his album The Last Kiss. It features Swizz Beatz & OJ Da Juiceman, it features production from Swizz Beatz as well...
" by
JadakissJason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
featuring
OJ da JuicemanOtis Williams, Jr. ,better known as OJ Da Juiceman, is an American Southern Rapper and a member of 1017 Brick Squad. OJ Da Juiceman is also founder of vanity label 32 Entertainment.-Early life:Otis Williams, Jr...
, "
Million Bucks"Million Bucks" is the third single off Maino's debut album, If Tomorrow Comes.... It features vocals and production by Swizz Beatz.-Background:When asked about the record Maino said:-Music video:...
" by
MainoMaino is an American rapper from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York.-Early life:...
, "
Million Dollar Bill"Million Dollar Bill" is a song performed by American R&B and pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from her seventh studio album titled I Look to You which samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger" from Holloway's 1976 debut LP...
" by
Whitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, "
I Can Transform Ya"I Can Transform Ya" is a song by American singer Chris Brown. The song features Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. It was written by Brown, Wayne and Beatz, and produced by the latter. Originally known simply as "Transformer", the song was Brown's first official release since his altercation with former...
" by Chris Brown featuring
Lil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and "
On to the Next One"On to the Next One" is a single by American hip hop rapper Jay-Z, released as the fourth single from his studio album The Blueprint 3 on his Roc Nation label, also released as the fourth single in the United Kingdom after "Young Forever"...
" by
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
.
Swizz Beatz also was named the first "Producer in Residence" at
New York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. This will last from the 2010-2011 academic year.
Fashion designer
In 2006 he became a partner involved in the popular clothing company
KidrobotKidrobot is a producer and retailer of designer toys founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, specializing in artist-created toys and imports from Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. Kidrobot also makes Kidrobot Mascots, which are figures of their main logo. These figures are usually nicknamed KR and the number...
, a creator and retailer of limited-edition art toys and apparel.
Painting
Swizz Beatz not only collects paintings but also paints on his own free time. He donates the money he earns from his paintings to the Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation; he also donates to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Personal life
In 2000, his first son by Nicole Levy, Prince Nasir was born. In 2004, he married
Mashonda TifrereMashonda Tifrere , often known simply as Mashonda, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and recording artist. Born and raised in Harlem, New York, she graduated from St. Mark the Evangelist School in 1992. Tifrere gained exposure in the early 2000s appearing on songs from highly acclaimed hip hop...
, together they have one child, Kasseem Dean Jr. (born 2006). In April 2008, they announced their plans to divorce after four years of marriage. In May 2008 UK singer and producer Jahna Sebastian gave birth to a daughter Nicole, whom Swizz Beatz fathered. In May 2009, Alicia Keys admitted to having a relationship with Swizz Beatz. In May 2010 Beatz confirmed he was engaged to Alicia Keys, and that she was pregnant with Beatz' fourth, and her first child. During the time of the
2010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, the couple took part of a union and had the unborn child blessed in a Zulu ceremony, which took place in the
IllovoIllovo is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It borders Hyde Park, Sandhurst, and Craighall Park. It is located in Region 3.Wanderers Stadium is located in Illovo, which is home to the Highveld Strikers, Johannesburg's cricket team....
suburb of South Africa. Keys and Swizz Beatz held a wedding celebration on the French island of
CorsicaCorsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
on July 31, 2010. Alicia Keys gave birth to their son, Egypt Daoud Ibarr Dean, on October 14, 2010.
Discography
Studio Albums
- One Man Band Man
Sample credits*"It's Me Bitches" – Contains a sample of "Hollywood Babylon" by Crazy Town.*"Bust Ya Gunz" – Embodies portions of "Down Bottom" by Drag-On.*"Take a Picture" – Contains a sample of "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers....
(2007)
- Haute Living
Haute Living is the upcoming second studio album by American rapper and record producer Swizz Beatz, set to released later in 2012 through Full Surface Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Atlantic Records.-Background:...
(2011)
Compilation albums
- Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (2002)
Awards and nominations
- Urban Music Awards
The Urban Music Awards is a HipHop, R&B, Dance and soul music awards ceremony launched in 2003 and now held in six countries annually.The awards ceremony is held annually by Invincible Media Group. The UMA's is now held in 6 countries annually...
- 2009, Best Producer (won)
- Grammy Awards
- 2010, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group "On to the Next One" (won)
- 2010, Best Rap Song "On to the Next One" [Nominated]
- 2010, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group "Fancy
"Fancy" is a song by Canadian recording artist, Drake, from his debut album Thank Me Later. Fancy features T.I. and Swizz Beatz, who also co-produced the track alongside Noah "40" Shebib...
" [Nominated]
External links