Swizz Beatz and his wife, R&B singer Mashonda, has decided to separate. The couple were an item for four and a half years.
The two reportedly met in 1998, when Mashonda was still a young budding singer. Swizz took her under his wing, and allowed Mashonda to write hooks for artists ranging from Jay-Z to Eve, and croon on tracks with Cassidy and Mya.
Mashonda was eventually signed to Swizz's label, Full Surface / J Records. During their time together, both seemed like the model happy hip hop couple, going so far as releasing press releases for the birth of their son, Kasseem Dean Jr., who enjoyed a star-studded baby shower.
“Their union was one shared in love and deep admiration for one another,” a rep for the couple said today.
“For the last seven months, the two have been working on establishing a formidable friendship, being great parents to their son, and remaining great supporters of each other's careers. The couple has agreed to continue their entrepreneurial spirit. Mashonda is set to launch a new luxury swimwear line, a musical venture, and beginning an arts based school for children. Swizz is hard at work producing for a number of artists, and on his follow up album through Universal Motown Records. The couple has asked that their privacy be respected at this time.”
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