Swizz Beatz Seeks Divorce Reports Ban

The rap producer - real name Kasseem Dean - split from R&B singer Mashonda in April 2008 after four years of marriage and she filed for divorce in February (09).

He confirmed on Monday (18May09) that he is dating Keys, fuelling media interest in the divorce case.

And he has now asked Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan for a press gagging order to prevent further publicity.

According to New York Post gossip column PageSix, Mashonda's lawyer Bernard Clair says the case was "flying under the radar until Mr. Dean and Alicia Keys went public about their long-term affair and he released a song implying that he likes it when Alicia serves him breakfast naked."

Clair adds: "Now that Mr. Dean's questionable conduct is being scrutinised, he suddenly wants a gag order and the media to be locked out?"

Mashonda is seeking increased child support payments for the former couple's baby, Kasseem Jr., after the star allegedly slashed his payments from $5,000 (£3,330) a week to $3,500 (£2,330) a month.