Swizz Beatz Brief Biography

Kasseem David Dean (born September 13, 1978), better known by his stage name Swizz Beatz, is an American hip hop recording artist, record producer, disc jockey, creative director, fashion designer and painter from New York City. At the age of 16, he gained attention in the hip hop community through his friendship with rapper DMX. He found a protege in Philadelphia-based rapper Cassidy, who helped Dean launch his label Full Surface Records.

About.com ranked him #27 on its list of the "Top 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Producers," while The Source placed him on its list of the 20 greatest producers in the magazine's 20-year history. Kanye West called him "the best rap producer of all time." He is married to American R&B singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, with whom he has one child, as well as three other children, including one with ex-wife American R&B singer-songwriter Mashonda and another with English singer Jahna Sebastian.

Swizz Beatz News

• President Barack Obama leads conga line at after-party
• Stevie Wonder to perform AMA tribute to Dick Clark
• Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson, Carly Rae Jepsen on AMA bill