Happy Birthday Swizz Beatz: 10 Tracks Swizzy Made Unforgettable
Today marks the 34th birthday of producer, artist and all-around creative guy Swizz Beatz. From helping launch 90s tough guy crew the Ruff Ryders to bringing the designs of Basquiat to Reebok, Swizzy has more than made an indelible mark on hip-hop. We salute The Bronx native on his born day and take a look back at some of his greatest musical contributions. Showtime!
1. DMX: Ruff Ryders Anthem
The quintessential NYC rap anthem that still gets our blood going and elicits a ferocious growl. After this one dropped, no one wanted to run into DMX in a dark alley (and we still don’t).
The quintessential NYC rap anthem that still gets our blood going and elicits a ferocious growl. After this one dropped, no one wanted to run into DMX in a dark alley (and we still don’t).
2. Jay-Z feat. DMX: “Money, Cash, Hoes”
Before Jay-Z was hip-hop’s elder statesman—a married father who just so happens to be bffs with President Barack Obama-- he rapped about what was then, the peak of hip-hop success: money, cash, hoes. What?
Before Jay-Z was hip-hop’s elder statesman—a married father who just so happens to be bffs with President Barack Obama-- he rapped about what was then, the peak of hip-hop success: money, cash, hoes. What?
3. Eve: “Love is Blind”
Swizz brought us one of hip-hop’s most memorable female rappers, Eve, and her emotional ode “Love is Blind” left nary a dry eye in the house. The duo turned a song about domestic violence into something both heartfelt and cautionary. Over a decade later, the song’s poignant message still stands.
Swizz brought us one of hip-hop’s most memorable female rappers, Eve, and her emotional ode “Love is Blind” left nary a dry eye in the house. The duo turned a song about domestic violence into something both heartfelt and cautionary. Over a decade later, the song’s poignant message still stands.
4. DMX: “Party Up (Up in Here)”
DMX proved that he could be a fun, party rapper without surrendering his gritty artistry with this classic Ruff Ryders joint. The raucous beat coupled with memorable one liners like “I love my baby mother/I’ll never let her go,” turned “Party Up” into a DMX fan favorite.
DMX proved that he could be a fun, party rapper without surrendering his gritty artistry with this classic Ruff Ryders joint. The raucous beat coupled with memorable one liners like “I love my baby mother/I’ll never let her go,” turned “Party Up” into a DMX fan favorite.
5. Styles P: “Good Times (I Get High)”
A stoner song turned up as only Swizz Beatz could. Swizzy flipped Freda Payne’s “I Get High (On Your Memory)” to give Styles P the biggest hit of his career. Lighters up.
A stoner song turned up as only Swizz Beatz could. Swizzy flipped Freda Payne’s “I Get High (On Your Memory)” to give Styles P the biggest hit of his career. Lighters up.
6. T.I. “Bring Em Out”
T.I. meets an expected Jay-Z sample; just another example of Swizz’s musical creativity hard at work as well as a testament to the pan-regional reach of the superproducer.
T.I. meets an expected Jay-Z sample; just another example of Swizz’s musical creativity hard at work as well as a testament to the pan-regional reach of the superproducer.
7. Beyonce “Check On It”
What started as a joke between Beyonce and her friends became the infectious pop tune “Check On It.” Throw Houston rapper Slim Thug on it and it was the best thing attached to The Pink Panther in years.
What started as a joke between Beyonce and her friends became the infectious pop tune “Check On It.” Throw Houston rapper Slim Thug on it and it was the best thing attached to The Pink Panther in years.
8. Swizz Beatz “It’s Me Bitches”
When he wasn’t helming hits for everyone and their mama, Swizz had a few of his own gems. “It’s Me Bitches” was undeniably catchy and the remix, which featured heavy hitters like R. Kelly and Lil’ Wayne, was a musical slam dunk. Where else could you hear Lil’ Wayne spout his version of French? Voulez vous coucher avec moi, bitches!
When he wasn’t helming hits for everyone and their mama, Swizz had a few of his own gems. “It’s Me Bitches” was undeniably catchy and the remix, which featured heavy hitters like R. Kelly and Lil’ Wayne, was a musical slam dunk. Where else could you hear Lil’ Wayne spout his version of French? Voulez vous coucher avec moi, bitches!
9. Jay-Z “On to the Next One”
It’s hard to stand out in a juggernaut Jay-Z album but Swizz’s production on “On to the Next One” was true a highlight on The Blueprint 3. Add a trippy, artsy black-and-white music video and we can see why this power duo continues to work so well together.
It’s hard to stand out in a juggernaut Jay-Z album but Swizz’s production on “On to the Next One” was true a highlight on The Blueprint 3. Add a trippy, artsy black-and-white music video and we can see why this power duo continues to work so well together.
10. Drake “Fancy”
“Oh you fancy, huh?” has become a mainstay in our lingo and you can thank Drizzy and Swizzy for that one. Swizz’s hook was so catchy that we just plain forgot about the rest of the song.
“Oh you fancy, huh?” has become a mainstay in our lingo and you can thank Drizzy and Swizzy for that one. Swizz’s hook was so catchy that we just plain forgot about the rest of the song.
