Cassidy (rapper)
- For other meanings, see Cassidy (disambiguation).
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Cassidy | |
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| File:Cassidy mugshot.jpg Rapper Cassidy | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Years active | 2002- Present |
Cassidy (born Barry Adrian Reese) is a popular American rapper from Philadelphia. His 2004 album Split Personality reached #2 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.
Beginning and Freshman Album
Cassidy was born in 1982 in Philadelphia. He rose to prominence as a battle rapper and started appearing on mix tapes. He was also a member of the crew Larceny. Producer Swizz Beatz signed him up to his Full Surface label distributed through J Records and featured him on Swizz Beatz 2002 album Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories. Cassidy has also appeared on tracks by Snoop Dogg and Wyclef Jean.
Cassidy recorded the Split Personality album in the year 2003. The record is divided into three parts: The first is credited to Cassidy and reflects his pop side, the second, credited as "Tha Problem," aims at fans of his mix tapes and the third is credited to B. Reese from fans from his early days. [1]
Cassidy recorded the track and lead single "Hotel" with R. Kelly in Kelly's Chicago studios with a vocal contribution by Kelly - there is also a version featuring vocals by Trina. The song became a hit reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2004 and the top 5 of the UK charts in May 2004. The song has also reached the Australian top 40 in late May 2004.
Split Personality was released on March 16, 2004 and debuted at #2 of the Billboard 200 album charts and at #1 in the R&B/Hip Hop albums charts. The second single "Get No Better" featured a contribution from labelmate Mashonda did not do as well on the singles charts reaching #82 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sophomore Album
Cassidy released his second album, I'm a Hustla, on Swizz Beatz's label, Full Surface. His latest hit, I'm A Hustla, features a sample in the chorus from Jay-Z's Dirt Off Your Shoulder. A remix featuring Mary J. Blige followed soon after.
I'm A Hustla was released on June 28, 2005 and it acheived #1 in the US.
Technique
Cassidy is known for his freestyling ability. He first came into national attention after battling the Roc-a-Fella rapper, Freeway. The studio session made its way to the streets and the internet, where interest in Cassidy grew. His clever ways of manipulating a word to make a killer rhyme also contributed to his success. Cassidy is an example of how battling can still turn an unknown artist to a well-known personality.
- If you a thug, stop girlin' then
- If I see a car in traffic, I'm a jack it like Burlington.
Murder Investigation
On June 8, 2005 a warrant was issued for the murder of a 22-year-old man during an April 15, 2005 shooting. Cassidy's attorney has stated that he expects his client to surrender on the morning of June 17, 2005.
MTV News has reported that three men, including Cassidy, armed with .45 and .40 caliber handguns, 9 mm pistols, AK47 assault rifles and 7.62 mm rifles, fired on three other men during an hostile argument that occurred in the rapper's West Oak Lane neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia just before 1 a.m. on April 15, 2005. Also in Cassidy's house, they found 80 magazines of ammunition.
Cassidy's murder case took a turn when the primary witness withdrew his confession, stating, "I only told the police what they wanted to hear, because they wouldn't let me leave, and I had a bullet in my leg." This resulted in the Judge stating that Cassidy would only have to stand trial for a 3rd degree murder. On August 16, 2005, Municipal Judge Marsha Neifield ruled that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to charge Cassidy with third-degree murder, attempted murder charges, and weapons offenses. This was later overturned to the original, first degree charge - negating the possibility of parole.
On January 25, 2006 Cassidy was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in jail and was credited with the 7 months he had already served. [2] Cassidy was released from jail March 2, 2006 after serving eight months. He is now on parole for an unspecified length of time and is now working on his third album with Swizz Beatz. The album is said to be released sometime in September and a single is due in the summer.
Beef In The Industry
Recently Cassidy has come under fire for having repetative lines. Rappers such as Murda Mook have mocked him for his common use of the word "Man," which he allegedly ends every sentence with.
In addition to Murda Mook, Cassidy also has beef with Cyssero.
Discography
Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
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Split Personatlity
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I'm A Hustla
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TBA
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Singles
- "Hotel" (featuring R. Kelly) (2004) #4 US, #3 UK
- "Get No Better" (featuring Mashonda) (2004) #79 US, #24 UK
- "B-Boy Stance" (2005)
- "I'm a Hustla" (2005) #39 US (x4Platinum)
- "I'm a Hustla Remix" (featuring Mary J. Blige) (2005)
- "Anthem" (2006)
Trivia
- Rumors have been circulating through the internet that Cassidy Is Having Conflicts with Papoose. This was based mostly on an incomplete mp3 file ("Fake Hustlers") which many believed was a diss to Cassidy, although Papoose actually salutes Cassidy as well as his producer, Swizz Beatz, during the seldom-heard introduction of the track.
- It's rumored that he has beef with G-Unit but in an interview he said that he and G-Unit have no beef, even though Cassidy mocked 50 Cent in his "B-Boy Stance" video and 50, in return, mocked Cassidy in his video for "Piggy Bank".
- He was on the cover of The Source along with Lil' Flip, J-Kwon & Young Gunz.
- He has a son.
- He was the first Rapper who was signed to Swizz Beatz' Record Label Full Surface Records.
- Cassidy is featured the latest edition of the Ruff Ryders album on the track "Aim 4 the Head" featuring Jin and J-Hood.