Mashonda
Encyclopedia
Mashonda Tifrere often known simply as Mashonda, is an American R&B
singer-songwriter and recording artist. Born and raised in Harlem, New York, she graduated from St. Mark the Evangelist School in 1992. Tifrere gained exposure in the early 2000s appearing on songs from highly acclaimed hip hop artists. In 2004 she married record producer Swizz Beatz
and was once signed to his label Full Surface
, in collaboration with J Records
. In 2005 she released her debut studio album, however it was only released in Japan.
. In 2000 she was signed to Columbia Records
. Early in her career Tifrere penned
and ghost wrote
songs for a few singers.
In 1999 she collaborated with Jay-Z
on "Girl's Best Friend
" for the movie Blue Streak
. The song was also featured as a bonus track
on his fourth studio album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
. Tifrere vocals also appeared on Eve's debut studio album Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady. Tifrere was ultimately a writer and featured artist on the tracks "Gotta Man" and "Love Is Blind".
's song "Listen Baby" from his 2005 album All or Nothing
. She also married frequent collaborator and friend Swizz Beatz
in 2004. In November 2005, the album was released in Japan; with the intentions by her then label, J Records
to be released internationally the following month. But due to poor radio reception and the lackluster performance of her singles "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg
and "Back of da Club
" on the charts, the album was shelved
. Without an official American release of January Joy, only a handful of record shops have sold the Japanese import.
Mashonda is a part of the VH1 reality TV show, Love & Hip-Hop. The show aired March 14.
Dating since 1998, in 2004, she married music producer Kasseem Dean, known as Swizz Beatz
. Dean already had a son, Prince Nasir, born in 2000. After a previous miscarriage, in December 2006 their son Kaseem Dean Jr. was born. Two days before their son's first birthday, Mashonda discovered Swizz was having an affair. In April 2008, the couple announced their separation after four years of marriage. On Mother's Day
2008 Dean admitted he had been having an affair, which Mashonda had learned of six months prior. Their divorce was finalized on May 7, 2010.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer-songwriter and recording artist. Born and raised in Harlem, New York, she graduated from St. Mark the Evangelist School in 1992. Tifrere gained exposure in the early 2000s appearing on songs from highly acclaimed hip hop artists. In 2004 she married record producer Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
and was once signed to his label Full Surface
Full Surface Records
Full Surface Records is a record label founded by hip hop producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean in 2001, with the help of Cassidy though he has left due to legal and money issues. The label used to operate through Sony Music Entertainment's, J Records and through Universal Music Group's, Interscope...
, in collaboration with J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
. In 2005 she released her debut studio album, however it was only released in Japan.
Early life and career beginnings
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Tifrere graduated from St. Mark the Evangelist School in 1992. In 1999, then 18 year old Tifrere signed a publishing deal with Warner Chapel Music. She wrote for rapper Monifa as part of Full Surface RecordsFull Surface Records
Full Surface Records is a record label founded by hip hop producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean in 2001, with the help of Cassidy though he has left due to legal and money issues. The label used to operate through Sony Music Entertainment's, J Records and through Universal Music Group's, Interscope...
. In 2000 she was signed to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Early in her career Tifrere penned
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and ghost wrote
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
songs for a few singers.
In 1999 she collaborated with Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
on "Girl's Best Friend
Girl's Best Friend
"Girl's Best Friend" is a 1999 single by rapper Jay-Z that features vocals from Mashonda. It was released as a single to promote the 1999 comedy film Blue Streak and appears on its soundtrack Blue Streak: The Album. In the same year, it appeared as a hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. 3......
" for the movie Blue Streak
Blue Streak (soundtrack)
Blue Streak: The Album is a soundtrack to the 1999 comedy film Blue Streak. It is composed of 14 hip hop and R&B tracks from Kelly Price, Tyrese featuring Heavy D, Hot Boys featuring Big Tymers, Foxy Brown.Its lead single is "Girl's Best Friend" by Jay-Z...
. The song was also featured as a bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
on his fourth studio album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter is the fourth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released December 28, 1999 on Roc-A-Fella Records. It exhibits a return to the street-oriented sound of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt...
. Tifrere vocals also appeared on Eve's debut studio album Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady. Tifrere was ultimately a writer and featured artist on the tracks "Gotta Man" and "Love Is Blind".
2002–05: Marriage and January Joy
In 2002, Mashonda started work on her debut album January Joy. While at work on her album she made appearances on Cassidy's "Get No Better" as well Fat JoeFat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
's song "Listen Baby" from his 2005 album All or Nothing
All or Nothing (Fat Joe album)
All or Nothing is the sixth studio album by Fat Joe, released on June 14, 2005. The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 with 106,500 sold in the first week released and has sold about 293,000 copies to date.-Track listing:-Chart positions:...
. She also married frequent collaborator and friend Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
in 2004. In November 2005, the album was released in Japan; with the intentions by her then label, J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
to be released internationally the following month. But due to poor radio reception and the lackluster performance of her singles "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
and "Back of da Club
Back of Da Club
Back of da Club is a song by American R&B singer-songwriter and recording artist Mashonda. Released in October 2005, the song serves as her debut single and the lead single off her debut studio album January Joy. The single is the only single by Mashonda available on iTunes. The CD single...
" on the charts, the album was shelved
Shelved
In politics, the term can be used for policy drafts, that have never been officially brought into legislation.In the film industry, a film is considered shelved if it is not released for public viewing after filming has started, or even completed....
. Without an official American release of January Joy, only a handful of record shops have sold the Japanese import.
2006–2009: Divorce and The Renovation Series EP
Mashonda started work on her second album in 2007, with the working title Back to Business. She stated that her new album was to be released sometime in 2009, but due to poor airplay for her singles "No Panties" and "Dirty Laundry" the album was pushed back to the end of 2009. In April 2008, Mashonda and Swizz Beatz announced their separation after four years of marriage. Mashonda did an interview on 105.3 K Jams, where she stated her new album was to be titled The Renovation Series. When she left the label in 2007, Mashonda took the project with her & in late 2009, there was an unofficial mixtape titled The Renovation Series EP. Released on DatPif only, the EP included most of the leaked material Mashonda had for her second album before leaving the label.2010–present: Love & Hip-Hop
In early 2010, Mashonda stated that she was working on new things. She appeared on the DJ Scratch show and she took a minute to say she's working on her new album. Early 2011, Mashonda stated she was releasing a new song titled "Love Makeover" but has yet to be released. On February 14, 2011, Mashonda launched her own official website MashondaLoyal.com, and a new song, "Intrigued". On February 23, Mashonda released "Catastrophe", a song she wrote in 2008, but it is not confirmed when she recorded the song.Mashonda is a part of the VH1 reality TV show, Love & Hip-Hop. The show aired March 14.
Second album and memoir
Mashonda announced that she will be releasing her first book, a memoir titled Death Of A Mermaid. After announcing the book, she also stated she's working on her second album, to be titled Mashonda Loyal. The first single will be titled "Touch Me".Personal life
She was born and raised in Harlem, New York.Dating since 1998, in 2004, she married music producer Kasseem Dean, known as Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
. Dean already had a son, Prince Nasir, born in 2000. After a previous miscarriage, in December 2006 their son Kaseem Dean Jr. was born. Two days before their son's first birthday, Mashonda discovered Swizz was having an affair. In April 2008, the couple announced their separation after four years of marriage. On Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
2008 Dean admitted he had been having an affair, which Mashonda had learned of six months prior. Their divorce was finalized on May 7, 2010.
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
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| "Back of da Club Back of Da Club Back of da Club is a song by American R&B singer-songwriter and recording artist Mashonda. Released in October 2005, the song serves as her debut single and the lead single off her debut studio album January Joy. The single is the only single by Mashonda available on iTunes. The CD single... " |
2005 | – | 86 | January Joy | |||||||||
| "Blackout" (featuring Snoop Dogg Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school... or Nas Nas Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time... ) |
– | 96 | |||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification. | |||||||||||||
As a featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | ||||||||||||
| "Girl's Best Friend Girl's Best Friend "Girl's Best Friend" is a 1999 single by rapper Jay-Z that features vocals from Mashonda. It was released as a single to promote the 1999 comedy film Blue Streak and appears on its soundtrack Blue Streak: The Album. In the same year, it appeared as a hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. 3...... " (Jay-Z Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010... featuring Mashonda) |
1999 | 52 | 19 | Blue Streak: The Album Blue Streak (soundtrack) Blue Streak: The Album is a soundtrack to the 1999 comedy film Blue Streak. It is composed of 14 hip hop and R&B tracks from Kelly Price, Tyrese featuring Heavy D, Hot Boys featuring Big Tymers, Foxy Brown.Its lead single is "Girl's Best Friend" by Jay-Z... & Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter is the fourth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released December 28, 1999 on Roc-A-Fella Records. It exhibits a return to the street-oriented sound of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt... |
|||||||||
| "Get No Better" (Cassidy featuring Mashonda) |
2003 | 79 | 51 | Split Personality | |||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification. | |||||||||||||
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Album | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Girl's Best Friend Girl's Best Friend "Girl's Best Friend" is a 1999 single by rapper Jay-Z that features vocals from Mashonda. It was released as a single to promote the 1999 comedy film Blue Streak and appears on its soundtrack Blue Streak: The Album. In the same year, it appeared as a hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. 3...... " |
1999 | Blue Streak: The Album Blue Streak (soundtrack) Blue Streak: The Album is a soundtrack to the 1999 comedy film Blue Streak. It is composed of 14 hip hop and R&B tracks from Kelly Price, Tyrese featuring Heavy D, Hot Boys featuring Big Tymers, Foxy Brown.Its lead single is "Girl's Best Friend" by Jay-Z... & Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter is the fourth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released December 28, 1999 on Roc-A-Fella Records. It exhibits a return to the street-oriented sound of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt... |
Jay-Z Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010... |
| "Crazy Girl" | 2001 | Rush Hour 2 (soundtrack) Rush Hour 2 (soundtrack) Rush Hour 2 Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 2001 action-comedy film, Rush Hour 2. It was released on July 31, 2001 through Hollywood Records and Epic Records. The soundtrack was a success making it to 11 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and 1 on the Top Soundtracks, and... |
LL Cool J LL Cool J James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor... |
| "Kiss Is Spittin'" | Kiss tha Game Goodbye Kiss tha Game Goodbye -Samples:*"Show Discipline"**"I've Been Watching You" by Southside Movement*"Put Your Hands Up"**"Boogieman" by Jackson 5*"We Gonna Make It"**"My Music" by Samuel Jonathan Johnson*"Kiss Is Spittin'"... |
Jadakiss Jadakiss Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle... , Nate Dogg Nate Dogg Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk... |
|
| "You Could Be Blind" | The Great Depression The Great Depression (DMX album) The Great Depression is the fourth solo album released by New York based rapper DMX. Released October 23, 2001, it was DMX's fourth straight album to debut at number one. The album demonstrated his still strong allegiance with the Ruff Ryders. The Great Depression went platinum quickly, but lacked... |
DMX DMX (rapper) Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's... |
|
| "Be Me" | Scorpion Scorpion (album) Scorpion is the Grammy-winning second album of female rapper Eve, released March 6, 2001 on Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album debuted at #4 of the Billboard 200 and went platinum. The album features hit singles, such as "Who's That Girl?" and "Let Me Blow Ya Mind"... |
Eve | |
| "S.H.Y.N.E." | 2002 | Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories | Shyne Shyne Moshe Levi Ben-David , better known by his stage name Shyne, is a Belizean rapper.-Background:... |
| "Ghetto Love" | LL Cool J | ||
| "Wanna Be Like Him" | God's Favorite God's Favorite (album) God's Favorite is the third solo studio album by rapper N.O.R.E., released on June 25, 2002. The single "Nothin'" reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his biggest hit single and his only to reach the Top 10... |
N.O.R.E. N.O.R.E. Victor Santiago, Jr., best known by his stage name N.O.R.E. or Noreaga , is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent... |
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| "Party in the Rain" | Eve-Olution Eve-Olution Eve-Olution is the third studio album by American rapper-songwriter Eve. It was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment on August 27, 2002, distributed through Interscope Records. Production was handled by frequent collaborators Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz and also Irv Gotti, among others... |
Eve | |
| "This Is Who I Am" | 2003 | La Bella Mafia La Bella Mafia La Bella Mafia is the third studio album by rapper Lil' Kim, released March 4, 2003 on Atlantic Records. It debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 166,000 in its first week and reached number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart... |
Lil' Kim Lil' Kim Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A..... , Swizz Beatz Swizz Beatz Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records... |
| "S.H.Y.N.E." | 2004 | Godfather Buried Alive Godfather Buried Alive Godfather Buried Alive is the second studio album by rapper Shyne. Shyne who was incarcerated at the time, was in the middle of serving a 10 year jail sentence for a shooting in New York City. It was released August 10, 2004 off Def Jam. The album included 13 tracks, 12 of which were previously... |
Shyne |
| "Get No Better" | Split Personality | Cassidy | |
| "So Long" | 2005 | I'm a Hustla I'm a Hustla -Singles:-Samples:"I'm a Hustla"*"Dirt off Your Shoulder" by Jay-Z"Can't Fade Me"* "Brown Baby" by Diana Ross"So Long"*"Ain't It Good Feeling Good" performed by Eloise Laws"Get 'Em"*"Getaway" written by Peter Cor & Beloyd Taylor"The Message"... |
Cassidy, Raekwon Raekwon Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with... |
| "Listen Baby" | All or Nothing All or Nothing (Fat Joe album) All or Nothing is the sixth studio album by Fat Joe, released on June 14, 2005. The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 with 106,500 sold in the first week released and has sold about 293,000 copies to date.-Track listing:-Chart positions:... |
Fat Joe Fat Joe Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad.... |
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| "Take a Trip" | 2007 | B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story | Cassidy |