In 2010, Swizz Beatz announced that “they’re mad because I’m hood rich” on Lloyd Banks’ hit track, “Start It Up.” The runaway hit, which was on the G-Unit rapper’s “Hunger for More 2” album, was just the latest in a string of hits for the man born Kasseem Daoud Dean.
Though he was, at that point, mostly known for his work with the Ruff Ryderz, Swizz Beatz managed to land himself on the 2013 Forbes list of the Top 20 Highest Paid Hip-Hop Artists (coming in at No. 17 on the list). At that point, he’d had $8.5 million in net worth, and the outlet took great pains to note that he wasn’t as popular as his wife, Alicia Keys. But today, Celebrity Net Worth reveals that Dean’s combined net worth with Keys’ is a whopping $150 million.
Between 2007 and 2019, Swizz Beatz made a respectable $145 million in salary. But in addition to all of his business ventures and music successes, Dean and Keys have invested in real estate. They own a $12.1 million mansion in Englewood, NJ, which they bought in 2013. They also own an equally impressive $20.8 million home in La Jolla, CA. They also previously owned an NYC apartment, which they purchased for $12.75 million from Lenny Kravitz back in 2010, but they sold it for a slight loss in 2013.
Nevertheless, despite the small setbacks, the award-winning Hip-Hop producer keeps winning. Let’s take a look at the wide range of his business ventures that include art, fashion, endorsements…and camel racing.
Editorial note: The net worth listed in this piece is a speculative estimate drawn from a variety of online sources.
Music
Swizz Beatz got his start as the official producer for Ruff Ryderz. He was only 18-years-old at the time his uncles, Joaquin and Darrin Dean, founded the label. No less of an authority than Kanye West called him “the greatest rap producer of all time.” But though Swizz is best known for his Hip-Hop work, he’s also worked with some mainstream artists, as well. He produced Whitney Houston’s “Million Dollar Bill” and four songs on Beyoncé’s “B’Day” album (“Get Me Bodied,” “Upgrade U” “Ring the Alarm,” and “Lost Yo Mind”).
Fashion Design
Swizz Beatz has had a long-standing relationship with Reebok. In 2018, The Source reported that he teamed up with the brand to launch the DMX Series 2000. He also is a partner in the up-and-coming clothing brand, Kidrobot.
Art
Swizz Beatz is an avid art collector and has frequently pushed the works of various established and up-and-coming Black artists. His collection includes various works from the likes of Gordon Parks, KAWS, Keith Haring, Cleon Peterson, Ernest Zacharevic and Erik Jones. This collection has become known as The Dean Collection, and it’s been frequently shown in exhibits all over the world.
In addition to their own personal African art collection, the Deans have made a grant available for artists of all types. The Dean Collection 20 St(art)ups say that they “want to give 20 artists around the world $5,000 each, to throw their own art show, and let them keep 100% of the sales. Any medium. Any theme.”
Camel Racing
In 2020, Swizz Beatz made history when he became the first American to win a Saudi Arabian camel race. According to the Independent Saudia Arabia, Team Kasseem abu Nasser entered a camel race in Saudi Arabia, and one of the camels on the team (owned by Dean’s daughter, Nicole) won the race.
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Performing Arts Center
In 2019, it was announced that Swizz Beatz and his wife, Alicia Keys, would be opening up a performing arts center in Macedon, NY, located near the Canadian border. The Dean Collection Music & Art Campus will contain more than 100 acres of land, with three buildings and 200,000 square feet of space in the three buildings. In a statement to the local ABC affiliate, 13WHAM, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys said the campus would “educate musicians and artists about the business side of the music and art industry and have a campus and creative atmosphere for learning and expanding opportunities.”
Brand Promotion And Endorsements
Thanks to the success of his previous collections with Reebok, Swizz Beatz became the company’s Vice President – Sports Style Marketing, Design, and Brand Music Development. He also has a promotional partnership with Aston Martin and Monster Energy Drinks, according to The Boston Herald.
