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When it comes to his marriage to Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz takes a lot in pride in the relationship they’ve been able to build. When asked by Us Weekly what makes their union work at the couple’s DELUXX FLUXX art exhibit presented by The Dean Collection and the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card portfolio in New York City over the weekend, he said they comprehend each other in a very deep way.
“We understand each other and we communicate,” he said. “We’re just the f–ing best.”
This, of course, isn’t Swizz’s (born Kasseem Dean) first foray into marriage. He was previously married to Mashonda Tifrere, with whom he shares son, Kasseem, Jr. Their marriage formally ended around the time he and Alicia began their relationship. Almost nine years in (they celebrate their anniversary on July 31), he said he and Alicia have been successful in their attempt at love and marriage because they’re both very spontaneous.
“We start with all these big plans and then might just end up sitting home, eating popcorn and just laughing, making jokes,” he said. “Then, going somewhere at the last minute. … We’re very spontaneous and that’s the one thing with relationships, being spontaneous and not being so programmed to where people feel you should be or what you think you should be because of what people feel you should be. We wake up in the morning, just chill. That’s what we do.”
Alicia also is “very adventurous” according to the 40-year-old super producer. She pushes him out of his comfort zone in ways he never could have imagined.
“Sometimes, she [does] things … like going tubing down some long river with your bottom in the water. I’m thinking, like, river monsters. I’m thinking everything. I’m doing these things because I love her,” he said.
Overall, he says they are the perfect match because they make each other better.
“I think my wife inspired me to be a better artist just by letting me have my freedom,” he said. “We let each other have our freedom, we don’t own each other and we just let things flow. We have fun and we support each other’s passions. I think that’s the key to happiness, honestly.”
“We help each other grow and that’s where people are teamed up to be,” he added. “It’s to help one another grow.”
