Cathy cassidy biography rapper

American rapper (born )

Musical artist

Barry Adrian Reese (born July 7, ), better known by his stage name Cassidy, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Cassidy Biography: Barry Adrian Reese, best known by his stage name Cassidy, is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based American rapper. His birthday is July 7, Reese garnered a great deal of attention in the late s for his freestyle and participation in battle rap competitions.

He first garnered attention for his freestyles and competitions as a battle rapper in the late s, and formed the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective Larsiny Family by the end of the decade. American record producer Swizz Beatz discovered the group in and signed Cassidy to his newly-established Full Surface Records, in a joint venture with J Records.

He adopted a commercially-oriented approach for his debut single "Hotel" (featuring R. Kelly) and its follow-up, "Get No Better" (featuring Mashonda); the former peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot while both preceded the release of his debut studio album, Split Personality ().

The album peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard , while his second album, I'm a Hustla (), peaked at number five and was supported by the lead single of the same name—which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Accompanying an eight-month incarceration and preceding legal battle, his third album, B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story (), was met with critical acclaim and peaked at number ten on the Billboard , also spawning the Billboard Hot top single "My Beverage n My 2 Step" (featuring Swizz Beatz).

It served as his final release on a major label, and he signed with Carmelo Anthony's Kross Over Entertainment to independently release his fourth album, C.A.S.H. (), which narrowly entered the Billboard He has since released three independent albums under his imprint, Mayhem Music.

Musical career

– Split Personality and I'm a Hustla

Main articles: Split Personality (Cassidy album) and I'm a Hustla

In , Cassidy was a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based rap group Larsiny.

Larsiny was discovered in Philadelphia by record producer Swizz Beatz's father Terrence Dean, and in turn, the group signed to the Ruff Ryders-subsidiary label TD Entertainment. Their breakout appearance was the song "Ryde Or Depart Boyz" from the July album Ryde or Die Vol.

2. Cassidy co-wrote the single "Got It All" for fellow Philadelphia rapper Eve, which was also from the album.

In , Cassidy signed a recording shrink with Swizz Beatz's Full Surface imprint, under the aegis of Ruff Ryders Entertainment and J Records.

On November 29, , he released his commercial debut single, "Hotel", featuring R. Kelly. The song reached the Uppermost 10 of the U.S. Billboard Hot chart.^[1] The second unattached, "Get No Better", features Mashonda. On March 16, , Cassidy released his debut album, Split Personality.

It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the obeying month.^[2]

On April 15, , Cassidy released the single "I'm a Hustla". The next single, "B-Boy Stance", features vocals and show from his mentor, Swizz Beatz.

On June 28, , Cassidy released his second studio album, I'm a Hustla. It debuted at number five on the US Billboard chart, with 93, copies sold in the first week.^[3]

– B.A.R.S. and C.A.S.H.

Main articles: B.A.R.S.

The Barry Adrian Reese Story and C.A.S.H.

Larsiny is an American hip hop organization from North PhiladelphiaPennsylvania. The Barry Adrian Reese Story album. InAR-Ab was added to the community due to his affiliation with Cassidy. North Philly of Death released on April 19,

(album)

In , after his release from prison and recovering from an auto wreck, Cassidy began operate on his third studio album, B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.^[4] The album was released on November 6, , debuting at number 10 on the Billboard , with 63, copies sold in the first week.^[5] The album was led by the single "My Drink n My 2 Step", featuring vocals and production from Swizz Beatz.

In late , Cassidy signed with Carmelo Anthony's label Kross Over Entertainment. While preparing his fourth studio album, he released a mixtape series entitled Apply Pressure. On August 24, , Cassidy released the five-track EP Face 2 Face, with the promotional single "Face 2 Face".^[6] On November 16, , Cassidy's fourth studio album, C.A.S.H.

(Cass a Straight Hustla) was released. On its first week it had sold about 5, copies, much lower than his previous studio albums.^[7] "Drumma Bass" was the only official single from the album.

–present: Mr. Hip-Hop and Da Science

On May 21, , Cassidy hosted a unleash party for his mixtape Mayhem Music.^[8] On July 8, , he released the mixtape Mayhem Music: AP3.

After fellow Philly rapper Meek Mill said he would battle Cassidy, which Cassidy later said he would approve 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 Obedient.

This was later refuted by Cassidy.^[9] They both were asking for $, each for the battle to take place.^[10][11] However, after Meek Mill dissed Cassidy's song "Condom Style" (a remake of Psy's "Gangnam Style") Cassidy released a song titled "Me, Myself & iPhone" where he took shots at Meek Mill.^[12][13] Afterwards, Meek Mill responded with the diss track "Repo" which Mill later said would be the final diss record he would release against Cassidy.^[14] Cassidy later said the feud was not personal, saying it was all in the spirit of hip hop.^[15] On January 6, , Cassidy released a minute-long diss response titled "Raid".^[16] On October 6, Cassidy released his album Da Science.

Other ventures

In , Cassidy signed a deal as the "new face" for Lot 29's fall clothing line.^[4] In , Cassidy appeared in the comedy film, Next Afternoon Air.

In late , Cassidy remade South Korean singer Psy's international hit single "Gangnam Way, re-titling it "Condom Style".

The remake reportedly earned Cassidy an endorsement deal with Trojan.^[17]

In , Cassidy released a biography titled Behind B.A.R.S: The Authorized Biography of Cassidy.^[18]

In late , Cassidy returned to battle rap by battling Los Angeles–based veteran Dizaster, on December 6, , at 's "Ether" event.^[19]

Personal life

Murder case

On April 15, , three men, including AR-Ab and Cassidy, armed with pistols and an AK 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 ^[20] At his arraignment on Saturday, June 18, he was denied bail, and sent to Philadelphia's Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, a high-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 third-degree murder. On August 16, , Municipal Judge Marsha Neifield ruled that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to charge Cassidy with third-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons offenses.

This was later overturned to the original, first degree bill - negating the possibility of parole. On January 25, , 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, , after serving eight months.^[24]

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

Car wreck

Cassidy was seriously injured in a vehicle wreck on the night of October 5, , 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 wreck.^[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 end 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 mind damage, but it was temporary, it wasn't permanent. So the same way it takes moment for your body to mend, he said it's gonna get your brain time to heal."^[28][29]

Discography

Main article: Cassidy discography

Studio albums

Filmography

References

External links