Kasseem Dean (born September 13, 1978), better known by his
stage name Swizz Beatz, is an American
hip hop and
R&B recording artist from
New York City,
New York. Born and raised in
The Bronx, he began his musical career as a
disc jockey (DJ) and has since added
rapper,
record executive,
creative director and
fashion designer, to his repertoire. At the age of 16, he gained recognition in the hip hop industry, through his friendship and work with
East Coast rapper DMX and the
Ruff Ryders Entertainment record label. Dean later found a protégé in Philadelphia-based rapper
Cassidy, whose success helped the launch of his own label imprint,
Full Surface Records. Dean has released two albums under the label; the first was a compilation, titled
Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories, released in 2002. He later released his debut studio album,
One Man Band Man, in 2007.