Cassidy Interview

Hip Hop Interviews at DJBooth

When Cassidy sat down for his first Booth-exclusive interview following the release of his third studio album, B.A.R.S., the Philadelphia rapper’s story was already one of the game’s most compelling—from the involuntary manslaughter charge that led to his incarceration in ‘05 to the ‘06 car accident that very nearly cost him his life, the often grisly but always fascinating events of Barry Adrian Reese’s life have provided inspiration for such reflective jams as reader-acclaimed single “Innocent Man.” Since then, the rapper’s tale has taken a few more positive, but no less action-packed turns; in addition to parting ways with his longtime label home of J Records/Sony/BMG and signing with Denver Nuggets all-star Carmelo Anthony’s Crossover Entertainment, Cass embarked upon a trip to the Middle East, becoming one of the first rappers to perform for American troops stationed in Iraq and Kuwait and deepening his religious faith in the process. Fans can expect to hear about all that and more on the emcee’s forthcoming C.A.S.H. (Cass A Straight Hustla) LP (which has yet to receive a solid release date); watch for the official lead single to drop this fall. In an exclusive interview with our own DJ Z, Cassidy steps into the Booth to discuss the reasons he chose to align himself with a relatively unknown entity in the music business, his current personal and professional relationship with longtime mentor Swizz Beatz, and which of his musical personae will be taking center stage on his latest full-length.