cassidy

Philly's own Cassidy (Barry Reese) returns with his second album "I'm a Hustla" (2005). Unfortunately he won't be out and about celebrating the release of this album as he got locked down over a week ago and is being charged with homicide, conspiracy and weapons violations. Cassidy's lawyer stated these allegations are not true, and evidence will show he was not involved. I hope this is the case.

Cassidy begins his album with "The Problem vs The Hustla", he takes on two personalities and battles himself, in what is a unique track and a good way to start the album. Cassidy then rips up "I'm a Hustla" sampling Jay-Z vocals (Dirt Off Your Shoulder) love this cut. Next up are two impressive street banger's "On The Grind" and "Crack". The single "B-Boy Stance" follows, more of a club track that I am not really feeling. Cassidy gets back to his hustling with "A.M. to P.M.", lines like "Hop out the bronco and O.J. him" are memorable. The album's first guest appearances come from Nas and Quan who hook up with Cassidy for the smooth "Can't Fade Me", Quan provides a first class chorus, and all three rhyme well. Cassidy then switches things up dropping five tracks for/about the ladies and partying. While there not bad, they don't grab my attention, seen this formula to many times before. Things pick up when Cassidy collabs with two more of Rap's relatively young guns Lil Wayne & Fabolous on "Six Minutes of Death". Cassidy then takes some time aside and enlists Dr. Daniel for "The Message", a track about the challenges of being black, racial and Hip-Hop profiling, incarceration, segregation, and the million man march- Cass and Dr. Daniel kick some knowledge on the albums most conscious track. Mary J Blige is an R & B legend, and the remix to "I'm a Hustla" is off the hook, Blige's singing and chorus enhance an already great track. Cassidy provides an entertaining release with "I'm a Hustla", a must have for his fans and an album I recommend checking out.