Swizz Beatz

From the time he produced his first beats as part of the Ruff Ryders in the late ’90s, Swizz Beatz has been one of rap's most inventive producers. Born Kasseem Daoud Dean in 1978, he began his music career as a DJ before joining his uncles Joaquin (Waah) and Darrin (Dee) Dean and his aunt Chivon Dean as the in-house beatmaker at their emerging Ruff Ryders record label. Working with DMX, he produced "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", a track that meshed a sitar loop with X's menacing military-style chant and became an indelible hit. From there, he continued producing for the likes of DMX, JAY-Z, Eve, N.O.R.E. and countless other East Coast performers, developing a reputation for inventive soundscapes. With solo albums like 2007's One Man Band Man and 2018's POISON, he tried his hand as a rapper-producer, showcasing a supreme knack for thoughtful curation and sonic experimentation—hallmarks of one of the great producers of his generation.