Cassie Ventura
Cassie Ventura |
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Casandra Ventura (born August 26, 1986 in New London, Connecticut), professionally known as Cassie, is an American R&B singer model and actress. She is best known for her 2005 single "Me & U", which became a hit in 2006.[1]
Biography
Cassie is the daughter of a Filipino father and an African-American/Mexican mother. While attending The Williams School, a preparatory school on the Connecticut College campus, Ventura began her career as a model at the age of sixteen, appearing in ads for Delia's, Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Seventeen. When she completed high school in 2004, she announced that she was going to pursue her career in modeling and music and would not be attending college.[1] [2]
In New York, where Cassie was modeling for Abercrombie and Fitch, she took classes at the Broadway Dance Center. Producer Ryan Leslie began spotting her at clubs and parties in late 2004, and he was charmed by Cassie's endearing personality. She was finally introduced to Leslie by Sean "Diddy" Combs' make-up artist, who had worked with Cassie at one of her modeling photo shoots.[2]
Shortly after being introduced to music producer Ryan Leslie, Cassie's mother asked Cassie to record a song for her as a birthday gift. Cassie approached Leslie, who wrote a duet for them called "Kiss Me". Leslie played "Kiss Me" for Tommy Mottola and he offered Cassie a management deal. Cassie inked a deal with Leslie's NextSelection label, and Leslie co-wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U", in 2005. In March 2006, Cassie signed with Diddy's record label, Bad Boy Records.[2] Cassie decided to leave her modelling agency (because they wanted her to lose weight) and instead focus solely on music.
On its release, "Me & U" proved to be a massive hit. It took the charts by storm, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100, number four on the Billboard Pop 100, and number one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[2] Follow-up single "Long Way 2 Go" was less successful, peaking at ninety-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Its remix features Lil' Wayne.
Cassie's third single Kiss Me will be released to radio early January 2007. The fourth single Ditto is to follow in April 2007.
Cassie Has just announced that she will be appearing in a film as a lead. The movie title or role has yet to be announced but she has said that it will be out in 2007 along with her sophomore CD.
Cassie will be appearing on songs by Beenie Man and Jutbox and fellow NextSelection labelmate Uness in 2007.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Cover | Album | Chart positions | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | UK | ||||
| 2006 | Cassie | RIAA: U.S Sales: 268,356(incomplete) | |||
Singles
| Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Pop 100 | UK | Australia | Australia Urban | France | France R&B | New Zealand | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Me & U" | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 6 | Cassie |
| "Long Way 2 Go" | 97 | - | 86 | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2007 | "Kiss Me" | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "Ditto" | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Nomination
NRJ Music Awards 2007 (French ceremony) in "Révélation Internationale" (International Best New Artist) [1]
Notes
- ^ a b Farber, Jim. Sounds of Summer, New York Daily News. August 1, 2006. NOW; Bullets & Bombs; page 34.
- ^ a b c d http://www.askmen.com/women/singer_300/343c_cassie.html