Cassidy | |
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 Cassidy in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Barry Adrian Reese (1982-07-07)July 7, 1982 (age 43) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Works | Cassidy discography |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels |
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| Member of | Larsiny |
| Producer(s) | Swizz Beatz |
Barry Adrian Reese (born July 7, 1982), better known by his stage nameCassidy, is an American rapper. He first garnered attention for hisfreestyles and competitions as abattle rapper in the late 1990s, and formed the Philadelphia-based hip hop collectiveLarsiny by the end of the decade. American record producerSwizz Beatz discovered the group in 2000 and signed Cassidy to his newly-establishedFull Surface Records, in ajoint venture withJ Records. He adopted a commercially-oriented approach for his 2003 debut single "Hotel" (featuringR. Kelly) and its follow-up, "Get No Better" (featuringMashonda); the former peaked at number four on theBillboard Hot 100 while both preceded the release of his debut studio album,Split Personality (2004).
The album peaked at number two on the U.S.Billboard 200, while his second album,I'm a Hustla (2005), peaked at number five and was supported by thelead single of the same name—which receivedplatinum certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Following an eight-monthincarceration and preceding legal battle, his third album,B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story (2007), was met with critical acclaim and peaked at number ten on theBillboard 200, also spawning theBillboard Hot 100 top-40 single "My Drink n My 2 Step" (featuring Swizz Beatz). It served as his final release on a major label, and he signed withCarmelo Anthony's Kross Over Entertainment to independently release his fourth album,C.A.S.H. (2010), which narrowly entered theBillboard 200. He has since released three independent albums under his imprint, Mayhem Music.
In 2000, Cassidy was a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based rap groupLarsiny. Larsiny was discovered in Philadelphia by record producerSwizz Beatz's father Terrence Dean, and in turn, the group signed to theRuff Ryders-subsidiary label TD Entertainment. Their debut commercial appearance was the song "Ryde Or Die Boyz" from the July 2000 albumRyde or Die Vol. 2. Cassidy co-wrote the single "Got It All" for fellow Philadelphia rapperEve, which was also from the album.
In 2002, Cassidy signed arecording contract with Swizz Beatz'sFull Surface imprint, under the aegis ofRuff Ryders Entertainment andJ Records. On November 29, 2003, he released his commercial debut single, "Hotel", featuringR. Kelly. The song reached theTop 10 of the U.S.Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1] The second single, "Get No Better", featuresMashonda. On March 16, 2004, Cassidy released his debut album,Split Personality. It wascertified gold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the following month.[2]
On April 15, 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 five on the USBillboard 200 chart, with 93,000 copies sold in the first week.[3]
In 2006, after his release from prison and recovering from an auto wreck, Cassidy began work on his third studio album,B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.[4] The album was released on November 6, 2007, debuting at number 10 on theBillboard 200, with 63,000 copies sold in the first week.[5] The album was led by the single "My Drink n My 2 Step", featuring vocals and production fromSwizz Beatz.
In late 2009, Cassidy signed withCarmelo Anthony's labelKross Over Entertainment. While preparing his fourth studio album, he released a mixtape series entitledApply Pressure. On August 24, 2010, Cassidy released the five-track EPFace 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.[7] "Drumma Bass" was the only official single from the album.
On May 21, 2012, Cassidy hosted a release party for his mixtapeMayhem Music.[8] On July 8, 2012, he released the mixtapeMayhem Music: AP3. After fellow Philly rapperMeek Mill said he wouldbattle 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.[9] They both were asking for $100,000 each for the battle to take place.[10][11] However, after Meek Mill dissed Cassidy's song "Condom Style" (a remake ofPsy'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, 2013, Cassidy released a 10-minute-long diss response titled "Raid".[16] On October 6, Cassidy released his album Da Science.
In April 2025, Cassidy released the single "I Ain't See Nothin'".[17][18][19][20]
In 2007, Cassidy signed a deal as the "new face" for Lot 29's fall clothing line.[4] In 2009, Cassidy appeared in the comedy film,Next Day Air.
In late 2012, Cassidy remade South Korean singerPsy's international hit single "Gangnam Style, re-titling it "Condom Style". The remake reportedly earned Cassidy an endorsement deal withTrojan.[21]
In 2013, Cassidy released a biography titledBehind B.A.R.S: The Authorized Biography of Cassidy.[22]
In late 2014, Cassidy returned tobattle rap by battling Los Angeles–based veteran Dizaster, on December 6, 2014, at Filmon.com's "Ether" event.[23]
On April 15, 2005, three men, includingAR-Ab and Cassidy, armed with pistols and anAK-47 assault rifle, fired on three unarmed men during an argument that occurred in theWest Oak Lane, 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.[24] 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.[25]
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 forthird-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 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.[26][27]
Cassidy was released from Pennsylvania's Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on March 2, 2006, after serving eight months.[28]
Cassidy talks about his arrest and time in prison in the 2011 filmRhyme and Punishment, which documents various hip-hop artists who have done county jail or state/federal prison time.
Cassidy was seriously injured in a vehicle wreck on the night of October 5, 2006, when a commercial truck collided with hisSUV, in which he was a passenger. He was taken to theJersey 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.[29][30][31]
"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 hadamnesia, 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."[32][33]
Studio albums
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