Net Worth Ranker
What Is Swizz Beatz’s Net Worth?
Swizz Beatz, born Kasseem Dean on September 13, 1978, in the Bronx, New York, has built a substantial career as a hip-hop artist, record producer, and composer. His estimated net worth is $150 million, a figure he shares with his wife, Alicia Keys, whom he married in 2010. This combined net worth is attributed to their successful careers and diverse investments, including a notable property portfolio.
Swizz Beatz’s Early Career and Musical Achievements
Dean’s early life in the North East Bronx, shaped by his mother after his parents’ divorce, led him to discover hip-hop. He began DJing as a teenager, leveraging equipment provided by his stepfather and uncles. This early exposure led to performances in the local DJing scene. After facing behavioral challenges at Harry S. Truman High School, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to work for his uncles at Ruff Ryders music label. This move proved pivotal for his career in music production.
At just 16, Swizz Beatz began producing tracks, with his first major success being “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” for DMX. This track’s chart-topping performance marked the beginning of his rise in the industry. Early in his career, he distinguished himself by creating original sounds using Korg and Triton keyboards, rather than relying on samples. By the age of 19, he had produced tracks for established artists like Jay-Z (“Money, Cash, Hoes”) and Noreaga (“Banned from TV”). He also produced many tracks for the “Ryde or Die Volume 1” compilation and Eve’s debut album, solidifying his position as a sought-after producer.
In 2001, Swizz Beatz launched his own record label, Full Surface, in partnership with Clive Davis. His first signing was Philly-based rapper Cassidy. He later signed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, producing their album “Strength & Loyalty.” That same year, Swizz Beatz released his own singles, “Guilty” and “Bigger Business,” which charted on the “Billboard” Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart. His influence expanded to mainstream labels such as Atlantic, Epic, Elektra, Def Jam, and Bad Boy Entertainment, producing tracks for a wide range of artists. He released two albums, “Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories” in 2002 and “One Man Band Man” in 2007.
Swizz Beatz’s contributions to hip-hop have been widely recognized. About.com ranked him as the #27 Greatest Hip-Hop Producer, and “The Source” placed him among the 20 greatest producers. Kanye West lauded him as “the best rap producer of all time.” He was featured on Drake’s “Fancy,” which reached #1 on the US Rap chart. In 2011, he won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “On to the Next One” (with Jay Z). He also received Grammy nominations for “Fancy” (with Drake & T.I.) and as a songwriter for “Famous” and “Ultralight Beam.” In 2010, he won a BET Hip Hop Award for Producer of the Year. In 2018, he announced that he had recorded 70 songs for his album “Poison,” ultimately selecting ten tracks for the final release.
According to available data, Swizz Beatz’s career earnings varied from year to year: 2007 ($12 million), 2008 ($17 million), 2009 ($8 million), 2010 ($9 million), 2011 ($6 million), 2012 ($7 million), 2013 ($8 million), 2014 ($8 million), 2015 ($4 million), 2016 ($10 million), 2017 ($17 million), 2018 ($15 million), and 2019 ($24 million), totaling $145 million over those years.
Art Collection, Other Ventures, and Real Estate Holdings Contributing to Swizz Beatz’s Net Worth
Beyond his music career, Swizz Beatz is an avid art collector and connoisseur. He frequently showcases his collection on Instagram. He and Alicia Keys co-chair the Gordon Parks Foundation, dedicated to preserving the work of photographer, filmmaker, and musician Gordon Parks. They have amassed the largest private holding of Parks’ work. Their philanthropic organization, the Dean Collection, also serves as a family collection of contemporary art. Swizz Beatz enjoys painting in his free time, donating the proceeds to the Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation. These endeavors contribute not only to his cultural influence but also to his financial portfolio.
In 2003, Beatz partnered with the clothing company Kidrobot, diversifying his business interests. In 2010, he announced a sneaker line with Reebok via Twitter, expanding his reach into fashion. He also collaborated on the design and launch of the Aston Martin Rapide in 2010 and became the official face of Lotus cars in 2011, later returning to Aston Martin in 2013. In early 2013, Beatz joined the board of Monster, investing significantly in the company. He promoted the Monster GODJ DJ mixing unit and the Monster 24k Headphones. Between September 2017 and September 2018, Swizz Beatz earned $15 million, boosted by a multi-million endorsement contract with Bacardi. He serves as the Vice President of Sports Style Marketing, Design, and Brand Music Development for Reebok, further solidifying his position in the business world.
Swizz Beatz’s real estate investments have also played a role in his financial success. In 2013, Alicia and Swizz purchased a mansion in Englewood, New Jersey, for $10.4 million from Eddie Murphy. This 5.4-acre property spans 25,000 square feet and features 32 rooms. In 2015, they acquired an adjoining property for $1.7 million. They initially listed the estate for $14.9 million in 2015, later relisting it for $9.9 million in 2016, eventually selling it for $6 million in April 2022. They previously owned an NYC apartment, bought from Lenny Kravitz in 2010 for $12.75 million, which they sold in 2013 at a slight loss. They also owned a home in Phoenix, sold in 2021 for $3.1 million. In September 2019, Alicia and Swizz paid $20.8 million for a mansion in La Jolla, California, previously listed for $30 million. On August 9, 2019, they announced plans to transform a 111-acre, 3-building property in Macedon, New York, the former Jindal Films center, into a “musical paradise,” featuring a performing arts center and recording studio.
In terms of personal life, Swizz Beatz’s journey includes relationships with Mashonda Tifrere (dating from 1998 to 2000), Nichole Levy (with whom he had a son, Nasir Dior, in 2000), and Jahna Sebastion (with whom he had a daughter, Nicole, in 2008). He married Mashonda in 2004, and they had a son, Kasseem Dean Jr., in December 2006. He began dating Alicia Keys and announced their engagement and pregnancy in May 2010. They married on July 31, 2010, and have two sons: Egypt Donald Dean (born in October 2010) and Genesis Ali Dean (born in December 2014). Egypt is credited as a producer on Kendrick Lamar’s March 2016 compilation, “Untitled Unmastered.”
In 2012, Swizz Beatz was appointed the Global Ambassador for New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, demonstrating his commitment to public service. In April 2014, he was accepted into Harvard Business School and graduated in October 2017, emphasizing the importance of education. His diverse career, strategic investments, and dedication to both the arts and business have solidified his position as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and contributed to his substantial net worth.
