Swizz Beatz

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Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz performing at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2007
Swizz Beatz performing at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2007
Background information
Birth name Kasseem Dean
Also known as Swizzy, The Monster, One Man Band Man, Sandman, Ruff Ryders Finest
Born August 30, 1978 (1978-08-30) (age 29)
Origin Bronx, New York
Genre(s) Hip hop
Occupation(s) Record producer, rapper, record executive
Instrument(s) Korg keyboard, sampler
Years active 1994–present
Label(s) Full Surface, DreamWorks Records, Ruff Ryders, Interscope, Universal Records
Associated acts Ruff Ryders, Cassidy, DMX, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, T.I., Beyonce, Drag-On, N.O.R.E., Eve, Jadakiss, Styles P., Neo Da Matrix, The Individualz
Website swizzbeatzonline.com
Notable instrument(s)
Vocals, violin, korg keyboard, bass

Kasseem Mike Dean (born August 30, 1978), better known by his stage name Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer and rapper. He is the founder of the Full Surface Records. His songs are usually very bouncy and energetic, though his early work was known to be quite minimalistic and arguably experimental—it reportedly takes him an average of only 10 to 15 minutes to complete a song. In most modern Swizz Beatz productions, (such as "Top Down") the quick uttered phrase "Swizzy" is heard at the beginning and is accompanied by guest vocals from Swizz himself, although often uncredited.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Personal life

Swizz Beatz is half African American and half Puerto Rican. He lived in the Bronx, in New York City, where he first encountered the hip-hop world. His family later moved to Bridgewater, New Jersey. His father was Muslim and his mother was a Christian. In 2004, he married R&B singer Mashonda. A son, Kassem Jr., was born in January 2007. In April 2008, the couple separated after four years of marriage.[1]

[edit] Career

He has been involved in production and remixes since 1994 when he started working with Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella Records, Elektra Records, Epic Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Bad Boy Entertainment.[2]

Swizz Beatz has his own production label called Full Surface and is currently working on albums by Ashanti, 2 Much, 50 Cent, Drag-On, G-Unit, Madonna, Papoose,The Game , Ja Rule, Busta Rhymes, Solange Knowles, Ruff Ryders, Beyonce Knowles, Eve, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony . 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.

Swizz Beatz released his first proper solo album titled "One Man Band Man" (where Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay was featured) on August 21, 2007, selling a disappointing 45,000 records in its first week of release.

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.

"Everybody is expecting 'It's Me Bitches' or 'Money in the Bank,' " he said. "I just want to use my opportunity to get a little more serious in the artist department, as a performer and lyricist. Not giving a f--- about radio and all that. I just want to give hip-hop something that's not on the radio. A lot of the songs I got can blend in on the radio, but 'School of Hard Knocks' don't blend in with nothing on the radio. I'm already in full mode. What they want me to do? Let's get it. I'm busting shots early — bong, bong!

"The title is between Life After the Party and Remember Hip-Hop," he continued. "I'm in between them. I don't even have a date on my joint. I'm just feeling out the scene."

[edit] Discography

Main article: Swizz Beatz discography

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Swizz Beats and Wife Separate", livesteez.com, April 23, 2008
  2. ^ DisCogs entry. Swizz Beatz at Discogs. Discogs. Accessed August 23, 2007.

[edit] External links

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