Swizz Beatz

Kasseem Daoud Dean (born September 13, 1978), known professionally as Swizz Beatz, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, Dean embarked on his musical career as a DJ in 1994. At the age of 18, he gained recognition in the music industry through his family's record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment, as well as his affiliation with its flagship artist, Yonkers-based rapper DMX. Dean emerged as a high-profile figure in East Coast hip-hop through his tenure as DMX's hype man, DJ and producer. Dean later found a protégé in Philadelphia-based rapper Cassidy, whose success foresaw the launch of Dean's own label imprint, Full Surface Records in 2001.