Cassie (singer)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Cassie

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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Cassandra Ventura
Born = birth date and age|1986|8|26
New London, Connecticut, United States
Origin =
Genre = R&B, pop, hip hop
Occupation = Singer, model, actress
Years_active = 2005–present
Label = NextSelection, Bad Boy
URL = [http://www.lovecassie.com/ www.lovecassie.com]
Associated_acts = Diddy, Ryan Leslie, Lil Wayne, Ciara

Cassandra Ventura (born August 26, 1986), known by her stage name Cassie, is an American fashion model, R&B and pop singer, and occasional actress. She is best known for her single "Me & U" , which became a hit in 2006.Farber, Jim. "Sounds of Summer", New York Daily News. August 1, 2006. NOW; Bullets & Bombs; page 34.]

Biography

Early life

Cassie was born in New London, Connecticut, to a Filipino father and a African American/West Indian/Mexican mother which she confirmed in August/September 08' issue of "Complex". Cassie graduated from The Williams School, a preparatory school in New London, Connecticut. When she completed high school in 2004, she announced that she would pursue her career in modeling and singing, foregoing college. [http://www.askmen.com/women/singer_300/343c_cassie.html Singer of the week - Cassie - at askmen.com] ]

Modeling career

At age nineteen, Cassie began her career as a model. Represented by Wilhelmina Models, she appeared in print ads for Delia's, Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, "Seventeen" and appeared in a commercial for Clean and Clear, in a swimsuit spread; and was on the prime billboard space in Times Square for the Target Corporation. Cassie is also a spokesmodel for the Sean John women's collection, along with Lauren London; which Diddy said would be released in July 2007. She is also signed to 1/One Management in New York City.

Music career

After high school, Cassie moved to New York City and continued modelling; as well attending classes at the Broadway Dance Center. Meanwhile, music producer Ryan Leslie spotted her at clubs and parties in late 2004 frequently. Shortly after a formal introduction to Ryan Leslie, Cassie became the focus of NextSelection. The two wrote a duet called "Kiss Me" and after recording the track, Next Selection made a management move to play the song for music executive Tommy Mottola. Leslie also co-wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U". Cassie was introduced to Sean "Diddy" Combs by a make-up artist from one of her modeling assignments which helped her to get a shot at a music career.

Before signing with Bad Boy, Cassie's first single, "Me & U", had already hit the airwaves and was a major hit in dance clubs. On its official release, "Me & U" proved to be a hit song. [ [http://www.gnextinc.com/bbo/news/cassiemeu.html Cassie's "Me & U" Tops Out at #1] ] It reached number three on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and number four on the "Billboard" Pop 100. Her follow up single, "Long Way 2 Go" was far less successful, peaking at ninety-seven on the "Billboard" Hot 100. Cassie's debut album, "Cassie", was released on August 8, 2006 and sold 321,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.Concepcion, Mariel. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003695642 "Cassie Grows Up On Sophomore Album"] . "Billboard". January 11 2008] In contrast to her album sales, Cassie's hit single, "Me & U", sold over 1 million digital downloads. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003786642 Diddy: Cassie CD Will Catch People 'Off Guard' ] ] To promote her album, Cassie performed on "Total Request Live" and "". Her performances were described as "rocky" and "less-than-stellar", but Diddy said that it was due to her inexperience. He said that he would be "with her through her development", and that he has no "question on her ability [to sing] ". Cassie addressed the events on her MySpace page, saying that she is aware that her performances were "pretty bad," and that she was "still getting over stage fright". [cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538701/20060816/story.jhtml |title=Diddy Brushes Off Cassie's Rocky Week |accessdate=2008-07-19 |author=Reid, Shaheem |date=2006-08-16 |publisher=MTV]

MTV News reported in June 2007 that contrary to rumors, Cassie had not been dropped from Bad Boy Records after only releasing two singles from her album, and would be working with producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams on her second album.Reid, Shaheem and Fernandez, Liz. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1563124/20070621/puff_daddy.jhtml "Diddy Says Cassie Hasn't Been Dropped — She's Just Busy With Kanye, Pharrell"] . MTV News. June 21 2007] In January 2008, "Billboard" magazine reported that her album is scheduled for release in June 2008, [ [http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=169437&p=5 TeenHollywood.com - Cassie Ventura: Takin' it 2 the Streets! ] ] and includes production work from Ryan Leslie, Swizz Beatz, Bryan Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins and Kanye West. [http://www.ukmusic.com/news/music-news/cassie-set-to-release-second-album.html Cassie Set to Release Second Album] , UKMusic.com] Cassie's album has been confirmed to be released in early 2009 by Bad Boy Records. [http://www.rap-up.com/2008/08/04/cassies-sophomore-album-due-in-early-2009/ Rap-Up.com:// rap-up summer issue on sale now! » Blog Archive » Cassie’s Sophomore Album Due in Early 2009 ] ] . The first single from the album, "Official Girl", had a video and digital release with rapper, Lil Wayne on August 5, 2008 and will be released to radio on September 16th, 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=765590&aid=1177130 |title=Billboard.com - Discography - Cassie - Official Girl |publisher=Billboard.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-06] Cassie has said that her new album will demonstrate more "independence"; there will be a "difference in vocals, a little bit more personality. And it's definitely a sensual album." She said that she was able "to work with different people and [learn] what their habits were and what works well with me." [cite web |url=http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=10492 |title=Cassie's Single With Lil Wayne, "Official Girl", Shows Personality, Sensuality Of Singer's Sophomore LP |accessdate=2008-08-23 |author=Vena, Jocelyn |date=2008-08-18 |publisher=MTV]

Cassie made an appearance in Jay-Z's music video for "Roc Boys" from his album "American Gangster", and provided background vocals. [ [http://www.rap-up.com/2007/11/07/cassie-does-vocals-for-jay-zs-roc-boys/ Rap-Up.com:// rap-up book in stores now! » Blog Archive » Cassie Does Vocals for Jay-Z’s ‘Roc Boys’ ] ] She also made a cameo appearance in Kanye West's music video for "Stronger" from his album "Graduation".

Discography

Albums

Filmography

* "Step Up 2 the Streets" (2008) – Sophie Donovan [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1023481/fullcredits#cast Step Up 2 the Streets (2008) - Full cast and crew ] ]

Videography

* Me & U (2006)
* Long Way 2 Go (2006)
* Is It You (2008)
* Official Girl (2008)

Cameos
* "Here I Go Again" by Mario (2005)
* "Stronger" by Kanye West (2007)
* "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)" by Jay-Z (2007)
* "Take You There" by Donnie Klang (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.lovecassie.com/ Official Website]
*
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/sassiecassie123 Cassie] at YouTube
*
* [http://www.vibe.com/celebs/feature.html?id=167 Cassie] at VIBE

Persondata
NAME=Cassie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Ventura, Cassandra
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Singer, model, actress
DATE OF BIRTH=August 26, 1986
PLACE OF BIRTH=New London, Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=