Mashonda

Mashonda Tifrere (January 9, 1978), is an American singer/songwriter from Boston, Massachusetts. Tifrere appeared on several songs from hip hop artists in the 2000s. In 2004, she married record producer Swizz Beatz, and was once signed to his label Full Surface, under the aegis of J Records. Tifrere released her debut studio album January Joy in 2005. In 2011, Tifrere was a part of the first season of VH1's reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York.

Career
In 1998, Mashonda signed a publishing deal with Warner Chapel Music. She subsequently wrote for singer Monifah and worked with Full Force. The following year, she signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.

In 1999, she featured on rapper Jay-Z's single "Girl's Best Friend", for the soundtrack to the film Blue Streak. The song, produced by Swizz Beatz, was included as a hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth studio album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. Tifrere's vocals also featured on rapper Eve's song "Gotta Man", produced by Beatz, from her debut studio album Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady. Tifrere made guest appearances on hip hop artist Cassidy's "Get No Better", produced by Beatz, from his album Split Personality (2004), as well as rapper Fat Joe's Beatz-produced song "Listen Baby", from his 2005 album All or Nothing.

Tifrere's debut album January Joy, produced by Beatz, Kanye West, and Raphael Saadiq, was released in November 2005 in Japan. The album was supported by two singles, co-written by Beatz: "Back of da Club", featuring Beatz, and "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg. In March 2009, she released a mixtape titled The Renovation Series.. Tifrere took time off from her music career to raise her son.

Mashonda was the author of a column, "Pandora’s Box", on VIBE Vixen.

Personal life
Mashonda began dating record producer Kasseem Dean, known as Swizz Beatz, in 1998. She had a miscarriage in 2000. She was step mom to Beatz's son Nasir, who was born during her pregnancy and whom she named. She and Beatz married in 2004. Their son, Kasseem Dean, Jr., was born in 2006. In 2008 the couple announced their break up. According to Swizz, they had been separated nine or 10 months by June 2008, after he began his affair with singer Alicia Keys. The divorce was finalized in May 2010, citing irreconcilable differences.

Published work
Mashonda authored a book on co-parenting, titled Blend: The Secret to Co-Parenting and Creating a Balanced Family (2018), with contributions from co-parents Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.

Studio albums

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

Mixtapes

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

Singles

 * 2005: Back Of Da Club
 * 2006: Black Out (feat. Snoop Dogg)
 * 2006: Used To (Promo Only)
 * 2009: Dirty Laundry (feat. Eve)
 * 2009: No Panties (Buzz Single)
 * 2011: Intrigued (Buzz Single)
 * 2011: Juicy Fruit
 * 2012: Touch Me
 * 2012: Mystery (feat. Lil Mo)
 * 2020: King
 * 2021: Honey, I See You
 * 2022: Forbidden Fruit