Swizz Beatz is a Grammy Award-winning producer, rapper, and DJ who got his start in the music business working with his uncles Darrin and Joaquin Dean at their Ruff Ryders Entertainment label. This led to Swizzy working with the likes of the label’s flagship artist DMX as well as other artists such as Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, JAŸ-Z and Beyoncé among others.

Born Kasseem Daoud Dean on September 13, 1978, he grew up in the Bronx, New York, and also spent time in Atlanta, Georgia. He began to DJ and produce songs as a teenager and his first placement came in 1998: DMX’s hit single “Ruff Ryders Anthem.” That same year, Swizz produced JAŸ-Z’s single “Money, Cash, Hoes”, Busta Rhymes‘ single “Tear da Roof Off” and Noreaga’s posse cut “Banned from TV.” Swizz established a signature sound that came from his use of the Korg Trinity and Triton keyboards.

In 2001, Swizz established his label Full Surface Records in a joint venture with Clive Davis' J Records. His first artist was Philadelphia rapper Cassidy, who scored a Top 5 pop hit in 2003 with his R. Kelly-assisted debut single “Hotel.” Swizz released the compilation Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories in 2002 and his debut album One Man Band Man in 2007 through Full Surface, which also released the album Strength & Loyalty by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in 2007. Swizz released his second album, Poison, through Epic Records in 2018.

Swizz married singer Mashonda Tifrere in 2004, and after divorcing in May 2010 following their separation in 2008, he married singer Alicia Keys in July 2010. The two have collaborated several times, and they won The Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing Award at the 2018 GRAMMY Awards. Swizz won his first Grammy in 2011 in the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category for his collaboration with JAŸ-Z on his single “On to the Next One.” Swizz was involved with multiple fashion and television projects throughout the years and was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2014. In 2020, Swizz started the Verzuz battle series on Instagram with fellow rapper/producer Timbaland during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the duo being named two of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2021.