Cassidy "B.A.R.S." (#10 DEBUT)

[busyboy]

Cassidy Leans On The Lord For 'B.A.R.S.'

Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

After serving more than a year in jail and suffering serious injuriet in a car accident, Philadelphia rapper Cassidy, has a lot to be grateful for. And on his third album, "The Barry Adrien Reese Story (B.A.R.S.)," due Sept. 18 November 6 via Full Surface/J Records, the MC is definitely counting his blessings.

"When I was going through problems, from going to jail to the accident, even though I had money, I had power, respect and friends, no one showed up and the only thing that helped me was my faith," Cassidy tells Billboard.com. "I was so worried about what lawyer I was going to hire and what judge will handle my case, but when I read the scripture, which says it's better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man, I knew I was going to win and get through it with the Lord on my side."

Lest fans be confused, Cassidy insists "B.A.R.S." should not be mistaken for a gospel album. "It's not church music -- it's just street songs," he says of the project, which features production from Swizz Beatz, Neo Da Matrix, Scott Storch, Timbaland and Cool and Dre. "So many serious things happened in my life. What I'm talking about has nothing to do with me being a rapper, but with me as a person."

One particular testament to Cassidy's conviction is the Angie Stone-assisted "Leaning On the Lord's Side." "[We] used to sing this song in church while I was in jail with a chorus that said 'leaning on the Lord's side,' and so when I got out, I asked Angie if she could help me bring the song to life," he says. John Legend, Beanie Sigel, Fabolous, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Eve and Rell take guest turns as well.

The first single is "It's On (I Got My Drink and My Two Step)," produced by Swizz, which was serviced to radio early this week. A video is scheduled to be shot next month. Other tracks on the set include "Cash Rules" featuring Eve and Bone Thugs, and "Me, Myself And I," which Cassidy produced himself.

On July 7, the rapper will celebrate his 25th birthday by releasing a mixtape hosted by DJ Green Lantern with "seven exclusive songs, including the first single off 'B.A.R.S.,' for the streets," Cassidy says. He will also be the new face for Lot 29 clothing line's fall advertising campaign.

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Track listing from the Sony Music Store:

1. Intro (B.A.R.S vs. Da Hustla)
2. My Drink N' My 2 Step
3. Where My N****s At
4. I Will Never Tell (Uh Uh)
5. I Pray
6. Innocent
7. Cash Rulez
8. Leanin' On The Lord
9. Damn I Miss The Game
10. Done 4 Me
11. I Get My Paper
12. Take A Trip
13. Celebrate
14. All By Myself
15. It Is What It Is
16. B.A.R.S.
17. Shut 'Em Up

[sdot23]

Cassidy
B.A.R.S. (The Barry Adrien Reese Story)



If not for music, Cassidy’s therapy bill would be sky-high. As if releasing two underachieving albums (2004’s Split Personality and 2005’s I’m a Hustla) wasn’t tough enough, last year was particularly hellish for the Philly native. First there was the jail sentence for involuntary manslaughter. Then came October’s near-fatal car crash. With so much personal subject matter to tap into, B.A.R.S. (The Barry Adrien Reese Story) stands as Cass’ most mature work yet. While admirable, good intentions unfortunately can’t make up for soft impact.

Throughout, Cassidy runs the gamut of emotions. On “I Can’t Take It No More,” producer Neo’s rugged blues conjure unease (“I know the feds be watching everyone close to me/That’s why I be smokin’, the stress be approachin’ me”). Switching from paranoid to preachy, on the Swizz Beatz–tracked “Leanin’ on the Lord,” the Hustla dictates spiritual awakenings within three tortured souls: a paralyzed street hustler, a sexually abused female drug user and himself.

Expanding topical range is no easy task, and Cassidy is not exempt from failing to consistently make the transition. Uplifted by John Legend’s crooning on the Devo Springsteen–produced “Celebrate,” Cass’ positive sentiments are lessened by his limp wit (“I had a murder case, I was facing some time, ’Ye/But that’s something small to a giant like Andre”). Elsewhere, his attempts at societal (“Time”) and personal (“Me, Myself, and I”) analysis display growth but barely scratch the surface of Mr. Reese’s recent hardships.

Holding back on the meat and potatoes of the real Barry Adrien Reese story leaves fans hungry for the Cassidy of old. Thankfully, clever punch lines abound on the scorching Beanie Sigel/Fabolous collaboration “U Already Know,” and “My Drink N’ My Two Step” makes for a memorable party track. B.A.R.S. could’ve been the soundtrack to an epic page-turner, but it winds up being merely a CliffsNotes of Cass’ psyche. —MATT BARONE

[Deleted]

His mixtapes are hot, his albums....not so much

[Linnethia Monique]

Just like Lloyd Banks and Fabolous (on occasions). They became famous through the mixtape and freestyle underground but really can't translate it onto albums. Joe Budden had the same problem.

[busyboy]

Second single "Cash Rulez" featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony leaked. The album shouldn't be far away.

[sdot23]

Billboard Review:

Three albums might be a little early for a comeback, but Cassidy is positioned to make good on a series of bad circumstances. His eight-month manslaughter incarceration in 2005-06 and a subsequent car accident put the crimp on 2005's "I'm a Hustla." But "B.A.R.S." finds him fit and focused with a revised worldview that's not unlike the faith-restoring turn Kanye West took after his own auto mishap. Cassidy is lucky to be alive and free—and knows it, thanking the heavens on such tracks as "I Pray," "Leanin' on the Lord" and the Latin-flavored "Celebrate." His Da Hustla alter ego manages to get some pointed disses into the proceedings, while the single "My Drink N' My 2 Step" has club hit written all over it. But it's telling that Barry beats Da Hustla in the opening "Intro" face-off, while the rest of the album voices relatively high-minded ideals.—Gary Graff

[**βécky**™]

Cash Rulez is hot, and Im liking the album!

[areyoureadytojump]

On sale today in the USA!!

Target: $9.98
Best Buy: $11.99
Circuit City: $9.99

[busyboy]

Second single is actually "Innocent (Misunderstood)", as listed on Media Base, and from Rap-Up:

Here’s a new track off Cassidy’s album called “Cash Rulez.” It features Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Eve. This is not the new single off Cass’ album though. That song is called “Innocent Man”

[reception]

Reviewed by Steve Jones
USA Today

Cassidy, B.A.R.S.: The Barry Adrian Reese Story: * * * (out of four) Post-adversity rap

The Philadelphia rapper resumes his career after spending eight months in prison and surviving a near-fatal car crash. He’s understandably celebratory and still in possession of his razor-sharp lyrical prowess. While the streets continue to inform his music, he’s appreciative of his second chance and determined to make the best of it. That makes his story that much more compelling.

[areyoureadytojump]

HITS:

JAY-Z LEADS THREE-WAY RACE

Chris Brown, Garth Brooks Trail in Battle for Next Week’s Chart

November 7, 2007

Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella/IDJ album American Gangster, his tribute to the Ridley Scott movie of the same name about legendary Harlem dope dealer Frank Lucas with an Oscar-worthy performance by Denzel Washington, looks like a pretty good shot to take the #1 spot on next week’s HITS Top 50.
According to retailers left around this great country of ours, he’s on track to sell between 400-450k. Judging how the Eagles do in their second week—and they will be performing on ABC’s nationally televised Country Music Awards tonight, so you never know—will determine next week’s #1.

Barry Weiss’ Team Jive continues its hot streak with the new Chris Brown album, Exclusive, with the smash single, “Kiss Kiss,” which appears headed for at the very least the Top Three and maybe even higher with between 300-350k.

The independently distribbed Garth Brooks album Ultimate Hits on Scott Borchetta’s Pearl Records imprint looks like it will do between 200-250k, though the CMAs could boost that number significantly.

Rapper Cassidy’s B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story, his new Full Surface/Ruff Ryders/J album, is on target for 70-80k

[areyoureadytojump]

12/15 chart

146 CASSIDY - B.A.R.S. THE BARRY ADRIAN REES 7,001 11,266 -38% 98,999

[Jamal]

areyoureadytojump said:

12/15 chart

146 CASSIDY - B.A.R.S. THE BARRY ADRIAN REES 7,001 11,266 -38% 98,999

dayuuuuuuuuuuuuuum :o :o :o