Cassidy is the stage name of Barry Adrian Reese, an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His tracks “Hotel” (with R. Kelly), “Get No Better” (featuring Mashonda), “I’m a Hustla“, “B-Boy Stance“, and “My Drink n My 2 Step” are among his most well-known (featuring Swizz Beatz). He was born on 7 July 1982.

Cassidy rose to prominence as a battle rapper in the late 1990s because of his freestyle and competitions. Cassidy was discovered in 2002 by American song producer Swizz Beatz, who signed him to his Full Surface Records imprint under Ruff Ryders Entertainment and J Records, allowing him to attain major fame.

Read More: Da Brat: Amazing Facts About This Rapper

His Career

Cassidy began competing in rap battles in the late 1990s, then in the early 2000s, he shifted to traditional hip-hop. In 2002, he joined Swizz Beatz’s imprint, Full Surface, under J Records and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. On March 16, 2004, he released his debut studio album, “Split Personality,” which was certified Gold and featured the hits “Hotel” (with R. Kelly) and “Get No Better” (featuring Mashonda).

The album charted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In March 2005, Cassidy released the Platinum single “I’m a Hustla,” which was followed by an album of the same name in June that charted at #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts.

After serving time in prison and recovering from a vehicle accident, he returned to music and released his third album, “B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story,” in November 2007. The singles “My Drink n My 2 Step” (with Swizz Beatz) and “Innocent Man (Misunderstood),” which featured Mark Morrison, reached #2 on the Top Rap Albums chart and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

In 2009, Cassidy signed with Carmelo Anthony’s record label, Kross Over Entertainment, and released the “Apply Pressure” mixtape series while working on his fourth album. He released the EP “Face 2 Face” and the album “C.A.S.H. (Cass a Straight Hustla)” in 2010 and was featured on DJ Absolut’s (“If You Love Me”) and Prince Negaafellaga’s (“Cass a Straight Hustla)” tracks (“En Off Shore”). Cassidy and rapper Meek Mill had a “Twitter dispute” in 2012, saying they would fight for $100,000 a piece.

Cassidy’s song “The Diary of a Hustla” was widely assumed to be a diss track for Meek Mill, but Cassidy disputed this, and after Meek dissed Cassidy’s song “Condom Style” (a remake of “Gangnam Style” that landed him an endorsement deal with Trojan), Cassidy responded with “Me, Myself & iPhone.” Meek’s “Repo” and Cassidy’s “Raid” were the pair’s final diss tunes. Cassidy debuted his mixtape “Don’t Trust Anyone” in 2013, followed by “Da BARbarian” (2016) and “Numbers” (2019), before releasing his fifth album, “Da Science,” in 2020.

Read More: Marcus Luttrell Net Worth, Family, Biography, Age, House & Ranch

Cassidy’s Personal Life And Murder Case

Three men, including Cassidy, were armed with handguns and an AK-47 assault rifle when they opened fire on three defenseless males after an argument in the West Oak Lane neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia on April 15, 2005. Desmond Hawkins was shot in the back and killed. Hawkins’ two other pals were treated for gunshot wounds and released from hospitals.

Cassidy was arrested on accusations of murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, conspiracy, and weapons possession on June 9.

On the afternoon of June 17, Cassidy surrendered to Philadelphia police. He was denied bail at his hearing on Saturday, June 18, and was transported to Philadelphia’s Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, a high-security jail, where he would complete his term while awaiting trial.

When the major witness in Cassidy’s murder case withdrew his confession, the case took a turn. As a result, the judge ruled that Cassidy would face charges of third-degree murder. Municipal Judge Marsha Neifield concluded on August 16, 2005, that prosecutors had enough evidence to prosecute Cassidy with third-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges. This was later reduced to a first-degree offense, effectively eliminating the prospect of parole.

On the 25th of January, 2006, for his role in the shooting, Cassidy was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime. He was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison plus probation, with the 7 months already spent being deducted.

After completing eight months in the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania, Cassidy was released on March 2, 2006. In the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment, Cassidy discusses his arrest and time in prison, which examines many hip-hop artists who have served time in county jail or state/federal prison.

Car Wreck

On the night of October 5, 2006, Cassidy was critically injured in a car accident when a commercial truck crashed with his SUV, in which he was a passenger. He was brought to Jersey City Medical Center, where a cracked skull and multiple shattered bones on the left side of his face were discovered. His wounds from the accident are still apparent.

Read More: Playboi Carti Net Worth, Biography, Earnings, Girlfriend, Age & Facts

Relationship

Cassidy is said to have had a former relationship with Kat Stacks, a hip-hop groupie. Stacks confirmed the affair and warned that Cassidy may have AIDS.

Cassidy appears to be dating a musician dubbed Reggae Ratchet, according to his Instagram profile. He frequently comments on photos of them together with phrases like “Power Couple” and “Family.”

Cassidy’s Net Worth

Cassidy is an American rap and hip-hop artist who has a net worth of $500,000.

Read More: Polo G: Net Worth, Career And Car Collection

About Other Rappers From Philadelphia

A long history of hip hop in “The City of Brotherly Love,” with Philadelphia rappers known for pioneering gangster rap music and being world leaders in the battle rap scene, all while producing a slew of legendary Philly rappers, ranging from the Fresh Prince (Will Smith) in the 1980s to Eve and Beanie Siegel and State Property in the late 1990s and early 2000s, to Meek Mill and Lil Uzi Vert in the 2010s and 2020s.

Most Philadelphia rappers are from West Philly in the beginning, with groups like the Hilltop Hustlers, which included iconic Philly hip hop musicians Cool C and Steady B, Three Times Dope, a trio of MCs and DJs, and a few others leading the way. Also, in the early days of the Philadelphia hip-hop culture, it was common to have a DJ and an MC (rap artist) perform as a single hip-hop act, such as the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff or DJ Jazz and Robbie B.

Jazz Fresh, MC Breeze, Tuff Crew, Parry P, MC Sport, and a slew of others were among the true pioneers of Philly’s rap movement. Schoolly D was another pioneer, credited by many as the first hip hop artist to go into gangster rap during his best years in the 1980s and early 1990s. While most people remember Eve and Charli Baltimore, Lady B was the first woman to represent the women.

DJs also played an important role in Philly hip hop, as previously stated. DJ Cash Money, DJ Ease, DJ Too Tuff, DJ Lightnin’ Rich, DJ Spinbad, Cosmic Kev, Sex Machine, and Grandmaster Nell were among the top DJs.

The massive rap battle scene also formerly played a major role in the history of Philadelphia rappers, as seen by vintage clips of Meek Mill with braids rapping in the heart of Philly’s streets. Philly Swain, Tech 9, E. Ness, Kaboom, Rone, and many others were among the greatest battle rappers, while Cyssero and Reed Dollaz were among the early legends. Long before Youtube, the rap battle movement in Philadelphia grew with the support of local DVDs like 2 Raw for the Streets DVD or Headshots DVD.

State Property’s era, as well as that of other Philadelphia rappers like Eve, Gillie Da Kid, and Major Figgas, would bring new life to the city by selling millions of records and solidifying a new generation of Philadelphia hip hop artists, as this was the most successful due to the national attention they received.

The Philadelphia hip-hop movement has come a long way from performing and hosting events at local house parties to touring and performing in front of sold-out gigs in arenas and stadiums, from selling albums at Funk-O-Mart or Sound of Market to attracting millions of listeners worldwide.

Today’s generation of Meek Mill, PNB Rock, Lil Uzi Vert, and Tierra Whack is helping to carry on the history of Philly rap music and the prosperity of the city’s hip hop scene as previous eras come to a close. Meek Mill has established himself as one of hip hop’s most lyrical artists, Lil Uzi Vert has established himself as one of the most entertaining, Tierra Wack has established herself as hip hop’s most artistic female artist, PNB Rock has established himself as one of hip hop’s most versatile artists, and the list goes on as millions of fans have been generated in a city that is easily considered one of the country’s top rap scenes and hip hop markets.