Cassidy rose to prominence as a battle rapper and started appearing on mixtapes. Producer Swizz Beatz signed him to his Full Surface label distributed through J Records and featured him on Swizz's 2002 album Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories. Cassidy has also appeared on tracks by Snoop Dogg and Wyclef Jean.
Cassidy recorded the Split Personality album in the year 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. The third is credited to B. Reese from fans from his early days. [1]
Cassidy recorded the track and lead single "Hotel" with R. Kelly in Kelly's Chicago studios with a vocal contribution by Kelly - there is also a version featuring vocals by Trina. The song became a hit, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2004 and the top 5 of the UK charts in May 2004. The song also reached the Australian top 40 in late May 2004.
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.
Cassidy released his second album, I'm A Hustla, on Swizz Beatz's label, Full Surface. The album features a sample from Jay-Z's "Dirt off your Shoulders" on the first single, "I'm a Hustla". A remix featuring Mary J. Blige followed soon after. It was released on June 28, 2005 and it reached #5 on the Billboard in the United States.
Cassidy is known for his freestyling ability. He first came into national attention after spiking the Roc-a-Fella rapper and fellow Philadelphian, Freeway. The studio session made its way to the streets and the internet, where interest in Cassidy grew.
Different styles and flows
Tha Problem/The Hustla - His first style, very aggressive and street smart. Many people compared him with Papoose, Fabolous, D-Block, Jay-Z, and Big L. It's based on his Battle-Rapper past.
Cassidy - This style came up after his success with "Hotel", it's basically for his female fans, most similar to the style of Nelly.
B. Reese/Mr. Reese - His original style, which is more political. In this style, he talks about Life and the president and also similar subjects, similar to Nas, Quan, 2Pac, Beanie Sigel and DMX.
His third studio album, B.A.R.S. (The Barry Adrian Reese Story) was originally entitled "It Is What It Is". It was #10 on XXL magazine's top 10 most anticipated albums in 2007. B.A.R.S. was released on November 7, 2007, and his lead single was "My Drink N' My 2 Step,". He also created a B.A.R.S. Competition Freestyle Battle on October 10, 2007 live on MTV's Sucker Free show. The second single is "Cash Rules", featuring Bone Thugs-n-Harmony & Eve.
Cassidy is also working on a group album with Larsiny. The first single is rumored to be "Boyz Iz Back".
Cassidy confirmed in an interview with Allhiphop.com that his fourth album will be eponymously titled Cassidy.
Cash is the Name of his Album with the hit single "Drummer Bass"
Celebrate
Cassidy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Patti LaBelle is in the building
Let's celebrate, have a basement party
A barbeque how we used to do
On the avenue, have a family reunion
Man, how I miss those days
When the kids was kids, no knives on the street
Lord, Miss Patti, won't you help me sing
Lord knows how I miss those days
Dressing up for church on Easter Sunday (how I miss those days)
Doing the electric slide at every party (how I miss those days)
Oh, if only you knew, what I've been through (you would celebrate)
You would celebrate (everybody just celebrate, how I miss those days)
Get up, you would celebrate (celebrate, everything's gonna be ok, how I miss those days)
I came in this game through the back door (get up)
I know LaBelle, we were so much more (get up)
We worked it, and earned it, God knows we deserved it (get up)
Keep on striving, I know you'll make it
Let's celebrate, have a basement party
A barbeque how we used to do (yeah, get up)
On the avenue, have a family reunion
Man, how I miss those days
When the kids was kids, no knives on the street
When the ice cream man came around the way
Lord, Miss Patti, won't you help me sing
Lord knows how I miss those days
Dressing up for church on Easter Sunday (how I miss those days), get up
Doing the electric slide at every party (how I miss those days)
Oh, if only you knew, what I've been through (you would celebrate)
You would celebrate (everybody just celebrate, how I miss those days)
Get up, you would celebrate (celebrate, everything's gonna be ok, how I miss those days), get up
I'm gon' box these niggaz
Take home on a number one belt (get up)
We gonna pop that thug, oh no, to celebrate the wealth (get up)
See, I'm a take that hay and turn it into loot
'Cause who ever God blessed no man can test (get up)
Who ever God blessed, no man can test
What goes up must surely come down, yes
So watch who you hurt on your way up
'Cause they'll be laughing at you on your way down
Tell the judge we don't want incarceration
Cause we came for the celebration, hey
So let the women and the children eat first
'Cause it's been so long since a celebration, Cassidy
This Cassidy, let's celebrate (oh)
I'm selling weed and got hella cake
And I still got the dog in my backyard
It's hamburgers, hot dogs in the back row (get up)
On the grill we cooking it all up
My mom got skills, she hooking it all up
Man, it feels like back in the days
When cats wasn't clapping to K's
And hood rats was acting they age (get up)
Clef and the rest of the game with me
And me and Miss LaBelle, we rep the same city (get up)
Philly, home of the blunts and the cheese steaks
And I cannot be stopped, like I need breaks (get up)
Let's celebrate, have a basement party
A barbeque how we used to do (yeah)
On the avenue, have a family reunion
Man, how I miss those days
When the kids was kids, no knives on the street
When the ice cream man came around the way
Lord, Miss Patti, won't you help me sing
Lord knows how I miss those days
Dressing up for church on Easter Sunday (how I miss those days)
Doing the electric slide at every party (how I miss those days)
Oh, if only you knew, what I've been through (you would celebrate)
You would celebrate (everybody just celebrate, how I miss those days)
Get up, you would celebrate (celebrate, everything's gonna be ok, how I miss those days), get up
Celebrate (you would celebrate), everything's gonna be ok, how I miss those days (get up)
You would celebrate, everybody just celebrate, how I miss those days
In the first verse, Cassidy expresses his frustration with other rappers who only want fame and fortune instead of using their platform to enlighten and educate their fans. He recalls his own past, where he used to sell drugs but now he uses his words to open people's eyes. He compares himself to a soldier, willing to fight for what he believes in, but acknowledges that he cannot control everything. He emphasizes how important it is to be a leader and to educate those who are willing to follow. Cassidy ends the verse by stating that he may have exaggerated his past a bit but the truth will always come to light.
The chorus encourages listeners to keep fighting and holding onto hope. Cassidy tells his audience to keep dancing, keep hanging on and waiting for the light to shine on their truth. The second verse is a testament to Cassidy's resilience and perseverance. Despite the obstacles he faced - even a murder case that was threatening to take his life away from him – he never gave up believing in God and his own ability to overcome adversity.
Throughout the song, Cassidy's message is one of hope and perseverance. He reminds us that we have the power to control our own destiny, let go of our past, and be leaders for others who need a guiding light.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to pump dimes, now I spit punchlines
I used to sell drugs, but now I focus on my music career
I'm tired of cats tryin' to rap cause they want shine
I'm exhausted by people rapping just to gain fame
I be writing to enlighten those that was once blind
I write to educate people who were once ignorant or unenlightened
This political warfare, and I'm on the front line
The music industry is a battleground, and I'm at the forefront of this conflict
I'm a soldier who
I'm a warrior who fights for what he believes in
Grew to be a general,
I've become a leader of my own crew and my own destiny
But generals is soldiers too (true)
As a leader, I still must act like a soldier and fight for what I believe in
And I'm willing to do what soldiers do,
I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to succeed
But you know an animal can't control a zoo (uh uh)
One cannot be in charge if they do not have control over their environment
And I always been a leader, I control my crew.
I've always been a natural leader and I hold authority over my team
You gotta school other dudes tryin' to roll with you.
I must mentor and educate others who desire to be part of my team
And I'm getting more mature, I'm gettin' older too,
I'm growing wiser and more experienced with age
But I'mma rock till it's over like Hova do.
I will continue to make music until the very end of my life, just like Jay-Z does
And I don't tell lies like most of you,
I am honest, unlike many other rappers in the industry
I really did sell piles, held toasters too.
I truly did sell drugs and carried guns for protection
I might exaggerate a little but it's mostly true,
I may embellish the truth slightly, but the heart of my story is still genuine
And the truth come to the light like its supposed to do.
The truth will ultimately be revealed and exposed, as it is meant to
Dance little brother
Don't give up the fight
Hang on till tomorrow
The truth will come to light
Dance little sister
Dong give up the dance
Hang on till tomorrow
Tonight we celebrate, celebrate
Keep dancing and fighting for what you believe in, the truth will eventually be revealed, and tonight we celebrate our hard work and growth
Get the obituary ready, get the Reverend,
Prepare for my old style to die and for me to move forward artistically
My old style died, and went to punchline heaven.
My older style of rapping has been retired and upgraded to more sophisticated punchlines
You cats know that thats my flow, I'm a legend,
Other rappers know that my unique flow is iconic and legendary
Big up John Legend for doing the song bredrin
Shout out to John Legend for helping me create this track
Ay, wanwan Kayne, I ain't a Juvenile, but I been on the grind-yee,
Hey Kanye, I may not be a young rapper, but I've been hustling hard to make music
I had a murder case, I was facin some time-yee,
I was once accused of murder and faced serious consequences
But thats somethin' small to a giant like Andre,
However, those struggles are minor to someone as strong and influential as me
And they was talkin' 'bout givin' me life, ya'll
I was once in danger of a life sentence for the crime I was accused of
But I knew I was leavin' for belivin' in Christ, ya'll,
I knew I would be saved through my faith in Christianity
You could live it up, but don't give up the fight, ya'll,
You can enjoy life, but don't forget to keep up the hard work and perseverance
We elevatin', so we celebratin' the night, ya'll.
We are moving upward and celebrating our successes tonight
Hang on lil' girl, soon all your troubles will be gone lil' girl,
Keep pushing and fighting, your struggles will soon be resolved
Sometimes you probably wish you wasn't born lil' girl,
Sometimes you may feel discouraged and wish you didn't exist, but you must keep fighting
But God know what he doin', lil' girl (uh huh),
Trust in God, He knows what He's doing
So keep fightin'.
Keep fighting for your dreams and your future
And hang on lil' man, you can't quit now, keep goin' lil' man,
Boys, don't give up now, keep pushing forward
Sometimes you probably wish you wasn't born lil' man,
Sometimes you may feel discouraged and wish you didn't exist, but you must keep fighting
But God know what he doin' lil' man (uh huh),
Trust in God, He knows what He's doing
So keep fightin'.
Keep fighting for your dreams and your future
Chorus: x2
Repetition of chorus
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BOBBY BUSH, JERRY DUPLESSIS, GUERSCHOM FAREL JEAN, WYCLEF JEAN, PATTI LABELLE, MALIK PENDLETON, JAMES VANLEER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@t.c.777
This is a timeless banger! For everyone going through hard times.... Celebrate in almost 2020
@BB13131313
B.A.R.S. is an underrated album.. it's definitely his best work..
@lilyoung9489
Cassidy evolved for this album
@alexanderlewis5096
U right bro...alot of food for thought for these blind cats ijs......come see me if you feel some kind of way
@fixhersworld
Still banging it till this day. One of the best albums I listened to period.
@mykalaleph3483
absolutely
@judahmic4134
Blessed song i wish cass you would do songs like this more often
@alexanderlewis5096
One of my mindful anthems......stay up people 💯
@BigdaddyWarstick
Damn this guy needs to get heard by more people.
@brittanymoore3698
Cassidy needs to be Rather Go Platinum as a recording artists and a hip-hop artists for the things he does with his albums music and endeavors. #BlessYouCassidy #Celebrate