Cassidy (rapper)

Cassidy

Cassidy in May 2005
Background information
Birth name Barry Adrian Reese
Born (1982-07-07) July 7, 1982
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, actor, songwriter
Years active 2002–present
Labels Larsiny Family, T2R Music Group (current)
Ruff Ryders Entertainment, E1 Music, Full Surface Records, J Records (former)
Associated acts Larsiny Family, Chubby Jag, J.R. Writer, Mashonda, Swizz Beatz

Barry Adrian Reese (born July 7, 1982), better known by his stage name Cassidy, is an American hip hop recording artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He embarked on his musical career as a freestyle and battle rapper, later earning a record deal in 2002, with Ruff Ryders and Full Surface Records, under the aegis of J Records. Cassidy is perhaps best known for his hit singles "Hotel", "Get No Better", "I'm a Hustla", "B-Boy Stance" and "My Drink n My 2 Step".

Split Personality, Cassidy's debut album, arrived in March 2004, and debuted at the number two spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. The following year, Cassidy returned with I'm a Hustla, which was released roughly two weeks after he was charged with a murder that took place in his Philadelphia neighborhood. After being seriously injured in a vehicle accident in October 2006 and suffering from amnesia, Cassidy made a comeback with 2007's B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.

Musical career

2002–05: Split Personality and I'm a Hustla

In 2002, Cassidy signed a recording contract with American music producer Swizz Beatz's Full Surface imprint, under the aegis of Ruff Ryders Entertainment and J Records. On November 29, 2003, he released his commercial debut single, "Hotel", featuring R. Kelly. The song reached the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1] The second single, "Get No Better", features Mashonda. On March 16, 2004, Cassidy released his debut album, Split Personality. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in the first month.

On March 14, 2005, Cassidy released the single "I'm a Hustla". The next single, "B-Boy Stance", features vocals and production from his mentor, Swizz Beatz. On June 28, 2005, Cassidy released his second studio album, I'm a Hustla. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with 93,000 copies sold in the first week.[2]

2006–11: B.A.R.S. and C.A.S.H.

In 2006, after his release from prison and recovering from an auto accident, Cassidy began work on his third studio album, B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.[3] The album was released on November 6, 2007, debuting at number 10 on the Billboard 200, with 63,000 copies sold in the first week.[4] The album was led by the single "My Drink n My 2 Step", featuring vocals and production from Swizz Beatz.

In late 2009, Cassidy signed with Carmelo Anthony's label Kross Over Entertainment.[5] While preparing his fourth studio album, he released a mixtape series entitled Apply Pressure. On August 24, 2010, Cassidy released the 5-track EP Face 2 Face, with the promotional single "Face 2 Face".[6] On November 16, 2010, Cassidy's fourth studio album, C.A.S.H. (Cass A Straight Hustla) was released. On its first week it had sold about 5,200 copies, much lower than his previous studio albums. "Drumma Bass" was the only official single from the album.

2012–present: Mayhem Music: AP3 & Mr.Hip-Hop

On May 21, 2012, Cassidy hosted a release party for his mixtape Mayhem Music.[7] On July 8, 2012, he released the mixtape Mayhem Music: AP3. After fellow Philly rapper Meek Mill said he would battle Cassidy, which Cassidy later said he would accept if the money was right. They participated in a "twitter beef" after which Cassidy released "The Diary of a Hustla" which was originally thought to be a diss towards Meek. This was later refuted by Cassidy.[8] They both were asking for $100,000 each for the battle to take place.[9][10] However, after Meek Mill dissed Cassidy's song "Condom Style" (a remake of Psy's "Gangnam Style") Cassidy released a formal diss track towards Mill with "Me, Myself & iPhone".[11][12] Afterwards, Meek Mill responded with the diss track "Repo" which Mill later said would be the final diss record he would release against Cassidy.[13] Cassidy later said the feud was not personal, saying it was all in the spirit of hip hop.[14] On January 6, 2013 Cassidy released a 10-minute-long diss response titled "Raid".[15]

Other ventures

In 2007, Cassidy signed a deal as the "new face" for Lot 29's fall clothing line.[3] In 2009, Cassidy appeared in the comedy film, Next Day Air.

In late 2012, Cassidy remade South Korean singer Psy's international hit single "Gangnam Style, re-titling it "Condom Style". The remake reportedly earned Cassidy a seven-figure endorsement deal with Trojan.[16]

In 2013, Cassidy released a biography titled Behind B.A.R.S: The Authorized Biography of Cassidy.[17]

In late 2014, Cassidy returned to battle rap by battling Los Angeles veteran Dizaster on December 6, 2014 at Filmon.com's "Ether" event.[18] He was paid $250,000 for the battle.[19]

Personal life

Murder case

On April 15, 2005 three men, including Cassidy, armed with .45, .40 and 9mm caliber pistols, and an AK-47 assault rifle, fired on three unarmed men during an argument that occurred in the West Oak Lane neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia. Desmond Hawkins was killed by a shot in the back. Hawkins' two other friends were treated at hospitals for gunshot wounds and released.

On June 9 a warrant was issued for Cassidy's arrest on charges of murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons possession. Cassidy surrendered to Philadelphia police on the afternoon of June 17.[20] At his arraignment on Saturday, June 18, he was denied bail, and sent to Philadelphia's Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison, where he would serve his time during the trial and after he was sentenced.[21]

Cassidy's murder case took a turn when the primary witness withdrew his confession. This resulted in the judge stating that Cassidy would stand trial for 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, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime for his involvement in the shooting. He was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison plus probation and was credited with the 7 months he had already served.[22][23]

Cassidy was released from Pennsylvania's Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on March 2, 2006 after serving eight months.[24]

Cassidy talks about his arrest and time in prison in the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment, which documents various hip-hop artists who have done county jail or state/federal prison time.

Car accident

Cassidy was seriously injured in a vehicle accident on the night of October 5, 2006 when a commercial truck collided with his SUV, in which he was a passenger. He was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured skull and several broken bones on the left side of his face. He still has visible scars from the accident.[25][26][27]

“ "I was in a coma for about seven or eight days," he said. "And then they put me into a medicated coma, so that if I woke up I wouldn't be traumatized by what I went through. When I first woke up out of my coma, I had amnesia, so I couldn't really remember everything. I didn't have full amnesia; I could remember certain things. The only people I really knew were my mom, my son, people that's real close that you knew all your life. I knew their names but even certain experiences I couldn't remember at first. I couldn't remember none of my raps, even the songs I performed — 'Hotel,' 'I'm a Hustla,' none of that. The doctor told me that I suffered brain damage, but it was temporary, it wasn't permanent. So the same way it takes time for your body to heal, he said it's gonna take your brain time to heal."[28][29] ”

Discography

Main article: Cassidy discography

Filmography

References

  1. 1 2 "Cassidy's Billboard albums chart positions at Allmusic". Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Anthony Hamilton News - Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Cassidy Leans On The Lord For 'B.A.R.S.'". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Jay-Z Leapfrogs Eagles, Britney For No. 1 Debut". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  5. ↑ http://highbridnation.com/2008/11/07/carmelo-anthony-signs-cassidy-to-krossover-label/
  6. ↑ Jake Crates (September 13, 2010). "Cassidy to Release Album Through Carmelo Anthony's Label". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Cassidy Mayhem Music Mixtape Release Party And Live Performance: 5/21/2012, 9:30pm at Gasoline Alley - Bradenton Herald". Events.bradenton.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ HipHopDX (November 16, 2012). "Cassidy Denies Dissing Meek Mill On "The Diary Of A Hustla"". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ HipHopDX (November 2, 2012). "Meek Mill Wants To Battle Cassidy Or Murda Mook, Asks For $100,000 Or More". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  10. ↑ HipHopDX (November 28, 2012). "Cassidy Says A Rap Battle With Meek Mill Would Be "Good For Hip Hop"". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Cassidy - Me, Myself & iPhone [Meek Mill Diss] Listen/Download". Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ HipHopDX (December 22, 2012). "Cassidy Disses Meek Mill On "Me, Myself, & iPhone"". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Meek Mill – Repo (Cassidy Diss)". Xclusives Zone. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  14. ↑ HipHopDX (January 2, 2013). "Cassidy Says He Used To Help Meek Mill Write Raps". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  15. ↑ HipHopDX (January 6, 2013). "Cassidy". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  16. ↑ Rose Lilah. "Cassidy Inks Major Endorsement Deal For "Condom Style"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  17. ↑ http://www.ggispublishing.org/products-page/books/paperback-behind-b-a-r-s-the-authorized-biography-of-cassidy/
  18. ↑ http://www.battlerap.com, Battle Rap -. "Chilla Jones Reviews Dizaster vs. Cassidy | Battle Rap". Battle Rap. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  19. ↑ "Exclusive! Cassidy: I'm Being Paid $250,000 to Battle Dizaster". www.vladtv.com. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  20. ↑ "Cassidy Turns Himself In On Murder, Weapons Charges". MTV News. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Cassidy Denied Bail, Booked Into Medium-Security Prison". MTV News. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Cassidy Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter — Will Be Eligible For Parole Soon". MTV News. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Judge Reinstates First-Degree Murder Charge Against Cassidy". MTV News. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  24. ↑ Murder Case Archived April 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ Rapper Cassidy In Critical Condition After Car Accident MTV News, October 5, 2006
  26. ↑ Rapper injured in Jersey City crash Michaelangelo Conte and Jeff Theodore, October 9, 2006
  27. ↑ [Update] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519090503/http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/86796.php |date=May 19, 2007 }} Cassidy Suffering from Fractures, Scars Kenny Rodriguez, October 11, 2006
  28. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/1573201/cassidy-talks-about-car-crash-fatal-gunfight-and-explains-why-hes-better-than-ever/
  29. ↑ http://www.rapbasement.com/videos/126875/cassidy-says-he-got-amnesia-from-his-car-accident.html
  30. ↑ "Mr. Chicken on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Cassidy Locks Down Label Deal With Amanda Bynes' $250K Advance". Retrieved March 11, 2015.

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