Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were recently recognised for their contributions to the arts community at the TIME100 Impact Dinner held on 5th October at SECOND in New York City. The couple, who have shared more than 16 years of marriage and parenthood, were celebrated for their initiative known as Deans’ Choice. This innovative programme, in partnership with Bonhams auction house, enables buyers to allocate a portion of the sale proceeds directly to the living artists whose work they purchase.
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During the event, Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kaseem Dean, took to the stage to elaborate on the significance of Deans’ Choice. Now 48, he reflected on nearly a decade of work to bring the project to fruition. “We just hit a big milestone on the project that we worked on for almost 10 years,” he stated, emphasising the concept behind Deans’ Choice. He underscored the responsibility of collectors to not just acquire art but to respect and protect the artists behind it.
Beatz expressed gratitude for the support received while also pointing out the challenges ahead. “This room has so much work to do, but the good part is we’re doing the work for our children’s children’s children,” he remarked. He articulated a commitment to paving a better path for future generations, stating, “We’re not here for us. We had a good time. We did all the parties. Now we have to lay the path out for the future to be better than us.”
Alicia Keys, 45, also spoke at the dinner, highlighting the honour of being recognised as part of TIME’s inaugural Art list. “The fact that we are all authors and artists of forever is such a powerful thought. We get to architect the life that we want to imagine,” she said. Keys stressed the importance of connection and the desire to present a varied understanding of life, reinforcing the evening’s theme of collective purpose.
The TIME100 Art list, which celebrates influential figures in the art world, included not only Keys and Beatz but also notable personalities like NBA star Carmelo Anthony. In their feature for the list, the couple reminisced about their journey into art collecting, which began as a shared interest rather than a strategic investment. “We started collecting without a mission, to be honest. We were collecting because we love art,” Beatz shared.
Over the years, the couple has amassed more than 130 art pieces, showcasing them in a travelling exhibition across the United States. Keys discussed their commitment to championing artists and underscored the vision behind the Dean Collection, stating, “The ideal industry for any creative person should be a place where they are completely empowered. The Dean Collection is by the artist, for the artist, with the people.”
Since their marriage in July 2010, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz have built a blended family. They are parents to two sons, Egypt and Genesis, while Beatz also has three children from previous relationships: Prince, Kasseem, and Nicole. Their family dynamic reflects a strong commitment to nurturing not only their children but also the next generation of artists.
In February, Keys took a moment to reflect on her career as she celebrated the 25th anniversary of her breakout hit “Fallin’.” In an interview, she shared her thoughts on the journey she has undertaken, recalling the young woman she was back then. “Just thinking back to that girl in me at that time and how she had no idea, none. That she was completely what you call ‘fake it till you make it’—that’s what she was doing, and she did a damn good job,” she noted.
The TIME100 Impact Dinner served not only as a recognition of individual achievements but also as a rallying call for a brighter future within the art world. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz continue to exemplify how artists can leverage their platforms for the betterment of others, advocating for a more equitable and supportive community for future generations.