Mashonda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mashonda
Mashonda in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Mashonda Karima Tifrere
Born	(1978-01-09) January 9, 1978 (age 47)
Origin	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1998–present
Labels	J Full Surface
Children	1

Mashonda Karima Dean (born Mashonda Karima Tifrere on January 9, 1978) is an American R&B singer from Boston, Massachusetts. She is known for her smooth singing style and for working with many famous artists.

In 2004, Mashonda married the famous record producer Swizz Beatz. A record producer helps artists create their music. She also signed with his record label, Full Surface Records, which was part of J Records. A record label is a company that helps artists record and sell their music. Through this label, she released her first album, January Joy, in 2005.

In 2011, Mashonda appeared on the first season of the reality TV show Love & Hip Hop: New York.

Music Career

Mashonda's journey in music began in 1998 when she signed a publishing deal with Warner Chapel Music. This deal meant she was paid to write songs for other musicians. She wrote for the singer Monifah and worked with the music group Full Force. The next year, she signed a contract to record her own music with Columbia Records.

Working with Famous Artists

In 1999, Mashonda's voice was featured on the song "Girl's Best Friend" by the famous rapper Jay-Z. The song was part of the soundtrack for the movie Blue Streak. It was also a hidden song on Jay-Z's album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter.

She also sang on the song "Gotta Man" by the rapper Eve from her first album. Mashonda became a popular choice for guest appearances, which is when a singer is featured on another artist's song. She appeared on:

• "Get No Better" by rapper Cassidy from his album Split Personality (2004).
• "Listen Baby" by rapper Fat Joe from his album All or Nothing (2005).
• "Skully" by Triple Seis from his album Only Time'll Tell.

Solo Music

Mashonda released her first album, January Joy, in 2005. It was produced by big names in music like Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, and Raphael Saadiq. The album featured two main songs, called singles: "Back of da Club" and "Blackout," which featured the rapper Snoop Dogg.

In 2009, she released a mixtape called The Renovation Series. A mixtape is a collection of songs, often released for free to promote an artist's music. After this, Mashonda took a break from her music career to focus on raising her son.

Writing and Other Projects

Besides singing, Mashonda is also a talented writer. She wrote a column called "Pandora's Box" for the magazine Vibe Vixen.

In 2018, she wrote a book called Blend: The Secret to Co-Parenting and Creating a Balanced Family. The book is about how parents who are no longer together can work as a team to raise their children. Her ex-husband, Swizz Beatz, and his wife, Alicia Keys, also contributed to the book.

Personal Life

Mashonda began dating record producer Kasseem Dean, better known as Swizz Beatz, in 1998. They got married in 2004. Mashonda became a stepmother to Swizz Beatz's son from a past relationship, Prince Nasir.

In 2006, Mashonda and Swizz Beatz had a son together, Kasseem Dean, Jr. The couple announced they were separating in 2008 and their divorce was finalized in 2010. They have since learned to work together to raise their son, which inspired Mashonda's book on co-parenting.

Discography

Studio Albums

• January Joy (2005)
• Note To Self (2022)

Mixtapes

• The Renovation Series (2009)
• Love, Mashonda (2012)

Singles

As lead artist

• 2005: Back Of Da Club
• 2006: Black Out (feat. Snoop Dogg)
• 2012: Touch Me
• 2012: Mystery (feat. Lil Mo)
• 2020: King
• 2022: Forbidden Fruit
• 2022: Complicated

Guest Appearances

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Mashonda para niños