Cassidy (rapper)

Infobox musical artist


Name = Cassidy


Landscape = yes
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Barry Adrian Reese
Nickname = Da Hustla, Da Problem, B.A.R.S.
Born = birth date and age|1982|07|7
Died =
Origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
United States
Genre = Hip hop
Occupation = Rapper, producer, songwriter, actor
Years_active = 1996 – present
Label = Ruff Ryders, Full Surface, Real Ill,
J Records(2002-2008),
Amalgam Ent.(2008-present)
Associated_acts = Ruff Ryders, Larsiny Family, Swizz Beatz, Mashonda, Mario, Freeway, Neo Da Matrix
URL = [http://www.cassidymusic.com/ cassidymusic.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =

Barry Adrian Reese (born July 7, 1982) better known by his stage name Cassidy, is an American rapper.His most successful work to date is his 2004 album "Split Personality", which reached #2 on the "Billboard" 200 album chart and #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wjfrxqy0ldhe~T5 | title = Cassidy's Billboard albums chart positions at All Music Guide | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 23 | accessyear hjgvkvghjg= 2007] He won BET's "Rap City Best Booth". [ [http://www.bet.com/Music/The+Best+Of+The+Booth+Bow+Wow+And+Cassidy.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished The Best Of The Booth Bow Wow And Cassidy] ]

Musical career

Early music career

Born in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cassidy attended Central High School, Philadelphia. [ [http://www.tv.com/cassidy/person/383438/trivia.html Cassidy Trivia - Cassidy Facts - Cassidy Notes ] ] . He started to rap when he was 13 years old. He rose to prominence by appearing, and winning, on The Cypher, a radio competition on 103.9 The Beat [ [http://www.hiphop-beef.com/category/cassidy/ | Cassidy | Hip Hop Beef | Rap Beef | Hip Hop Beefs | Rap Beefs | HipHop Beef | Hip Hop Beefs 2007 ] ] . He was also a member of the crew Larsiny with his home-town friends Cal Akbar & Shiz Lansky. Producer Swizz Beatz signed Cassidy to his Full Surface label and featured him on his 2002 album "Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories".

Cassidy received some fame after he won a freestyle battle with Roc-A-Fella artist Freeway. Cassidy recorded his first album, "Split Personality" in 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 mixtapes and the third is credited to B. Reese from fans from his early days. [ [http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1485966/03242004/cassidy.jhtml Cassidy Says R. Kelly Was Unplanned Guest In His 'Hotel'] Shaheem Reid, March 24 2004]

Cassidy recorded the lead single "Hotel" in R. Kelly's Chicago studios with a vocal contribution by Kelly - there is also a remix featuring vocals by Trina. The song became a hit, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2004 and was nominated for a "Vibe Award" in the category "Coolest Collabo" that year. [ [http://www.vibe.com/awards/story1.html Vibe Awards] ] It also reached the top 5 of the UK reggiechart and the top 40 of the Australian chart in May 2004. May 2004 was also the month Cassidy featured on the cover of The Source magazine, alongside Lil' Flip, Young Gunz and J-Kwon. [ [http://www.thesourcemobile.com/wallpapers.cfm?filter=1&wp=78] ]

"Split Personality" was released on March 16 2004 and debuted at #2 on the "Billboard" 200 album charts and at #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop albums charts. The second single, "Get No Better", featured a contribution from labelmate Mashonda but did not do as well on the singles charts, reaching #82 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In September 2004, Cassidy was nominated for "Lyricist of the Year" at the "Source Awards". [ [http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=3492 Kanye West Leads Source Award Nominees] Clarence Burke Jr., September 9 2004]

econd album

Cassidy released his second album, "I'm a Hustla" on June 28 2005, through Swizz Beatz's label, Full Surface. It reached a chart position of #5 on Billboards Hot Rap Tracks in the United States. The album's title track features a sample from Jay-Z's "Dirt off Your Shoulder" and the song was nominated for a "Vibe Award" in the category "Street Anthem". [ [http://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/vibe-awards.htm Vibe Awards 2005, News, Nominees & Winners, TV Schedule] Chiff.com, November 12 2005] A remix featuring Mary J. Blige followed soon after. In 2006, the ringtone version of his track "I'm a Hustla" was one of the first-ever ringtones to be certified platinum. [ [http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/061406.asp RIAA Launches New Gold And Platinum Award For Ringtones] RIAA.com, June 14 2006] (cassidy was known as the best rapper in the year 2004-2005)

Another track off the album, "The Message" was released as a charity single, promoting Cassidy's involvement with the Millions More Movement.

Third album

Cassidy's third album, "B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story" was released on November 7, 2007, featuring his lead single "My Drink N' My 2 Step," which had leaked to the radio and several internet sites [ [http://www.defsounds.com/singles/view/1767-cassidy-my-drink-and-my-2-step.html [Singles Cassidy- My Drink And My 2 Step ] ] . He also created a "B.A.R.S. Competition Freestyle Battle" on October 10, 2007 live on MTV's Sucker Free. He will be featured on the "AND1 Mixtape Tour 2007." [ [http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=10854 XXLmag.com | Hip-Hop On A Higher Level | » Quick News on Grandmaster Flash, De La Soul and Cassidy ] ]

Cassidy will also be the new face of Lot 29, which featured other artists such as Juelz Santana. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003605926 Cassidy Leans On The Lord For 'B.A.R.S.' ] ]

Cassidy is also working on a group album with Larsiny. [ [http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/061107/ Mixtape Monday: Lil Wayne Plans His Own "Leak"; Cassidy's Live-From-Jail Rhymes | MTV NEWS ] ]

Fourth album

Cassidy confirmed in an interview with Allhiphop.com that his fourth album will be eponymously titled Cassidy and will be executive produced by Vinylz, as an in house producer for Full Surface and J Records. [ [http://allhiphop.com/blogs/features/archive/2007/07/07/18229486.aspx Features : Cassidy: Friend vs. Foe ] ]

Legal issues

On June 8 2005, police issued a warrant for Cassidy's arrest, for the murder of a 22-year-old man during an April 15 2005 shooting.

MTV News reported that according to police, three men, including Cassidy, armed with .45 and .40 caliber handguns, 9 mm pistols, and an AK-47 variant, fired on three other men during an argument that occurred in the rapper's West Oak Lane neighborhood in the Olney/Oak Lane section of Philadelphia just before 1 a.m. on April 15 2005. [ [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1504240/20050616/cassidy.jhtml?headlines=true Cassidy Wanted For Murder] MTV News, June 16 2005]

Cassidy's murder case took a turn when the primary witness admitted under oath initially lying to police and that he had not seen Cassidy firing a weapon. [ [http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4729 Murder Charges Against Cassidy Lowered] Nolan Strong, August 16 2005] This resulted in Municipal Judge Marsha Neifield stating that Cassidy would only have to stand trial for third-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons violation charges. This was later overturned to the original, first degree charge - negating the possibility of parole. [ [http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/7548 Cassidy's Murder Rap Reinstated] Carl Chery, September 15 2005]

On January 24 2006, Cassidy was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault for a local drive-by with larceny family. He shot two people that day and was sentenced to 11½-23 months in prison and was credited with the 7 months he had already served for pistol charges. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4645952.stm US rapper jailed for manslaughter] BBC News, January 25 2006] [ [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1521478/20060124/cassidy.jhtml Cassidy Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter — Will Be Eligible For Parole Soon] MTV News, January 24 2006] Cassidy was released from Pennsylvania's Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on March 2 2006 after serving eight months. [ [http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=5428 Cassidy Home From Jail] Roman Wolfe, March 3 2006]

Car accident

Cassidy was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident on the night of October 5 2006, when a commercial truck, the size of a U-Haul truck, collided with Cassidy's SUV while 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. [ [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542435/20061005/cassidy.jhtml?headlines=true Rapper Cassidy In Critical Condition After Car Accident] MTV News, October 5 2006] [ [http://www.nj.com/weblogs/print.ssf?/mtlogs/njo_jjupdate/archives/print193172.html Rapper injured in Jersey City crash] Michaelangelo Conte and Jeff Theodore, October 9, 2006] [ [http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/86796.php [Update] Cassidy Suffering from Fractures, Scars] Kenny Rodriguez, October 11, 2006]

Personal life

Cassidy has a son whose name is Cassidy and a fiancee. [ [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542975/20061012/cassidy.jhtml Cassidy 'On The Road To Recovery' After Crash - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News ] ] He has a stepfather named Tony and a brother named Terrence.

Discography

*2004: "Split Personality"
*2005: "I'm a Hustla"
*2007: "B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story"

References

External links

* [http://www.cassidymusic.com Official website]
*
* [http://www.cassidydahustla.net/ Official Cassidy fansite]

Interviews
* [http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1384 AHH.com Interview Part 1, Cassidy: Jail, Lessons & The State of Affairs Part 1 By Jigsaw]
* [http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1383 AHH.com Interview Part 2, Cassidy: Jail, Lessons & The State of Affairs Part 2 By Jigsaw]
* [http://allhiphop.com/blogs/features/archive/2007/07/07/18229486.aspx AHH.com Cassidy: Friend or Foe By Aqua]
* [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.868/title.cassidy-second-chances/p.all September 2007 Interview]