Born Kasseem Daoud Dean in 1978, Swizz Beatz is an American producer, DJ, rapper and painter who owns his own label, Full Surface Records. He is married to Alicia Keyes. Producing his first tracks at sixteen, his first compilation album at twenty three, "Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories" attracted attention. His second solo album was entitled, "One Man Band Man."
He renamed his 2010 album, "King Issues" twice. After "Perception of Greatness," he settled on "Haut Living." A Grammy winner in Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group, he has been named the first "Producer-In-Residence" at NYU for the 2010-'11 academic year.