Hip-Hop savant Swizz Beatz, 34, born Kasseem Dean, was still a teenager when he sold his first beat. The South Bronx native — who lives downtown with his wife, R&B star Alicia Keys — has since added producer, rapper, label founder, artist, designer, husband and father to his credit. Oh, and he was recently named Global Ambassador to the city’s public hospital system for his work in raising healthcare awareness. In fact, this Wednesday he’ll be feted for his efforts at the Children’s Rights benefit at the Plaza Hotel. Of the party, he’d only tease, “Expect the unexpected.” This is his hip-hop New York.
1. West Side Highway
“The whole stretch is amazing for kids. There are great parks. You can bike ride all the way to and from Harlem, which is a nice workout and really good bonding time.”
2. La Esquina, 114 Kenmare St., at Lafayette Street
“I’m not giving up my secret romance spot, but I do love La Esquina, for sure. It’s very cool. How [are] you going to choose a favorite [dish] there? You can’t. I love everything. I love the music as well. They handle their business there.”
3. Cipriani, 376 West Broadway, between Broome and Spring streets
“If I’m in a relaxed mood on a Saturday afternoon I go to Cipriani. I have a Bellini, the branzino and then some amazing sorbet or ice cream. From there I’d go to Martin Lawrence Gallery to see new pieces I haven’t seen and then head to my studio in Williamsburg to see if I can catch a vibe, listen to music, get motivated and stay all night.”
4. Chelsea Galleries, West 20s between 10th and 11th avenues
“We usually head out on 26th Street and go into all the galleries: Pace, Tony Shafrazi, you name it. We walk past them all, look in the windows and, if something looks cool, go in to check it out. I let the kids pick. Galleries don’t have to be kid-specific. Picasso just makes an impact.”
5. Handball courts, Harlem River Drive and East 128th Street
“I used to go to the courts and see Keith Haring’s ‘Crack Is Wack’ mural. I didn’t know it was Keith Haring. It was just a park for me. The message to stay focused, on point, drug-free was there every day, but I just loved the colors. When I first saw an entire subway done I thought, ‘Did they pay someone to paint the train?’ I started tagging notebooks and playing with colors.”
6. The Mural Pavilion at Harlem Hospital, Lenox Avenue at 135th Street
“Harlem Hospital was the first place to commission black artists to do paintings in a hospital. All those old paintings from the ’30s have been restored and put back up in the pavilion. I curated all the art for the hospital and it’s going to blow people’s minds. When a lot of people think of Harlem they think of an underprivileged neighborhood, but this is like changing a library into the MoMA. It’s that much of a drastic change.”
7. David Choate street art, various spots in SoHo
“His work is amazing, totally inspiring. He likes to paint sports characters. I commissioned him to paint me a Grace Jones piece. And another of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Basquiat called ‘Conversation.’ It’s one artist thinking of what the other is doing. Haring is thinking, ‘Where are they partying tonight?’ ”
8. Golden Krust, 1381 East Gunhill Road
“I love Jamaican food and Golden Krust is my favorite. They’ve opened more locations. There’s a lot in Brooklyn and throughout the city. I love the spicy patties and coco bread. To me, it is the real, real New York food, besides pizza.”
9. St. Mary’s Park, 143rd through 149th streets, between St. Ann’s and Jackson avenues
“I loved music as a kid. There were always jam sessions on the block and in this park. I didn’t even know I wanted to be a DJ, rapper, producer yet. It just felt cool.”
Three songs on Swizz Beatz’s playlist for Wednesday’s Children’s Rights benefit at the Plaza Hotel:
* “It Takes Two” by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
* “Jump Around” by House of Pain
* “Beware” by Panjabi MC featuring Jay-Z