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"
Husslin'
Cassidy Lyrics
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Turn it up so they can hear this. It's Full Surface, y'all. Cassidy
c'mon! I said...It's Full Surface, y'all. Cassidy, c'mon!
[VERSE 1]
These niggaz want to act like Cass, want to stack like Cass
want to copy my gear, wear they hat like Cass
Then they try to spit it on a track like Cass
Cats don't be clappin' wit the gat like cass
One shell'll make back crack like crabs
Ya flow played out, you been wack like plaid
I peel bills and they come back like scabs
The hoes know won't nobody mack like Cass
Lay the pipe and hit it from the back like Cass
The chain hang, diamonds in that like glass
This crap life switched to the rap life fast
[CHORUS 2x]
From the block to the studio back to the block
Yeah I rap over packs on the block
I'm husslin' (All night long!)
I'm husslin' (To the break of dawn!)
Come on!
[VERSE 2]
These niggaz want to shop like Cass, play the block like Cass
want to copy my flow so they hot like Cass
Niggaz try and get it on lock like Cass
But niggaz hear ya shit and say, ("That's not Cass!")
You don't take bullets out the box like Cass
Load guns that hold a hundred shots like Cass
Roll like Cass, stroll like Cass
Got the blimp that be pimpin' all the hoes like Cass
Niggaz don't be sittin' in the Rov like Cass
Wit the Rolls gold, got they wrist froze like Cass
Who can play the strip and get it sold like Cass
This rap life done switched to my old life fast
[CHORUS 2x]
From the block to the studio back to the block
Yeah I rap over packs on the block
I'm husslin' (All night long!)
I'm husslin' (To the break of dawn!)
Come on!
[VERSE 3]
These niggaz want a brick like Cass to get rich like Cass
Put a bunch of punch lines in they shit like Cass
It's a million niggaz tryna spit like Cass
But niggaz hear they shit and say, ("That's not Cass!")
I get mad when try and bees like this
And dudes that produce try and bees like Swizz
They hit the keys on the MP's like Swizz
But when the beat play I say, "He's not Swizz!"
y'all niggaz just can't shine like us
We put in time, niggaz ain't grind like us
Name two niggaz you could find like us
Wit the hard beats and the hard rhymes like us
[CHORUS 2x]
From the block to the studio back to the block
Yeah I rap over packs on the block
I'm husslin' (All night long!)
I'm husslin' (To the break of dawn!)
Come on!
In this song, Cassidy proclaims his superior skills and achievements in the hip hop world. He asserts that other rappers are trying to emulate his style and success, but they cannot match his level of talent. Cassidy boasts about his ability to make hits effortlessly, making his way from the block to the studio and back again while hustling all night long. He is critical of other rappers who try to mimic his flow, style, and even his bling, claiming that they cannot possibly compete with him. The song also includes a reference to Swizz Beats, the producer responsible for creating many of Cassidy's hits.
Cassidy's lyrics in "Husslin'" are typical of his style, which is known for its aggressive delivery and punchy rhymes. The song was released on his second studio album, "I'm a Hustla," which debuted in 2005. The album peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart and received positive reviews from critics.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn it up so they can hear this. It's Full Surface, y'all. Cassidy
c'mon! I said...It's Full Surface, y'all. Cassidy, c'mon!
Introducing the song Husslin' by Cassidy from the Full Surface label, the artist invites listeners to turn up the volume and pay attention to his unique style.
These niggaz want to act like Cass, want to stack like Cass
want to copy my gear, wear they hat like Cass
Then they try to spit it on a track like Cass
But niggaz hear the track and say, ("That's not Cass!")
Cats don't be clappin' wit the gat like cass
One shell'll make back crack like crabs
Ya flow played out, you been wack like plaid
I peel bills and they come back like scabs
The hoes know won't nobody mack like Cass
Lay the pipe and hit it from the back like Cass
The chain hang, diamonds in that like glass
This crap life switched to the rap life fast
Cassidy boasts about his unique style and how other rappers try to imitate him but fail. He also brags about his skills with women, his flashy accessories, and his transition from a street life to a rap career.
From the block to the studio back to the block
Yeah I rap over packs on the block
I'm husslin' (All night long!)
I'm husslin' (To the break of dawn!)
Come on!
In the chorus, Cassidy talks about hustling and grinding from the streets to the studio, and back again. He raps about making music while still living his life on the block and working hard all night long.
These niggaz want to shop like Cass, play the block like Cass
want to copy my flow so they hot like Cass
Niggaz try and get it on lock like Cass
But niggaz hear ya shit and say, ("That's not Cass!")
You don't take bullets out the box like Cass
Load guns that hold a hundred shots like Cass
Roll like Cass, stroll like Cass
Got the blimp that be pimpin' all the hoes like Cass
Niggaz don't be sittin' in the Rov like Cass
Wit the Rolls gold, got they wrist froze like Cass
Who can play the strip and get it sold like Cass
This rap life done switched to my old life fast
Continuing from the previous verse, Cassidy mocks other rappers who imitate him and try to copy his flow and style. He talks about his luxurious lifestyle, including expensive cars, jewelry, and women.
These niggaz want a brick like Cass to get rich like Cass
Put a bunch of punch lines in they shit like Cass
It's a million niggaz tryna spit like Cass
But niggaz hear they shit and say, ("That's not Cass!")
I get mad when try and bees like this
And dudes that produce try and bees like Swizz
They hit the keys on the MP's like Swizz
But when the beat play I say, "He's not Swizz!"
y'all niggaz just can't shine like us
We put in time, niggaz ain't grind like us
Name two niggaz you could find like us
Wit the hard beats and the hard rhymes like us
Cassidy continues to criticize other rappers who try to emulate his style and flow, and producers who imitate Swizz Beats. He boasts about the hard work and time he and his label put into their music, and how no one can match their skills in making hard beats and rhymes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KASSEEM DEAN, JAMES RADO, ARTHUR TERENCE GALT MCDERMOT, GEROME RAGNI, BARRY A. REESE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind