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Kasseem David Dean (born September 13, 1978), better known by his stage name Swizz Beatz, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer from New York City. Beginning his career in music as a disc jockey, Swizz Beatz is now also a creative director, fashion designer and painter. At the age of 16, he gained recognition in the hip hop community through his friendship with East Coast rapper DMX. He also found a protégé 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. Renowned hip hop artist 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. He has also fathered three other children, including one with ex-wife American R&B singer-songwriter Mashonda and another with English singer Jahna Sebastian.