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Cassie Ventura

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Cassie
Cassie at the February 2008 premiere of
Step Up 2: The Streets
Born
Casandra Elizabeth Ventura

1986 (age 37–38)
New London, Connecticut, U.S.
EducationThe Williams School
Occupations
  • Singer
  • model
  • dancer
  • actress
Years active2006–present
Musical career
Labels
Websitecassiesuper.com

Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, known mononymously as Cassie, is an American recording artist, dancer, actress and model. Born in New London, Connecticut, she began her career as a result of meeting record producer Ryan Leslie in late 2002, who later signed her to NextSelection Lifestyle Group. During this time, Diddy heard "Me & U" in a club, and Leslie convinced him to partner his Bad Boy Records with Leslie's NextSelection imprint for the release of Cassie's debut album.

Cassie's self titled debut studio album was released in August 2006, peaking at number four on the Billboard 200 chart and features the Billboard Hot 100 top three hit "Me & U", which became a major hit in 2006.[1] She began work on her second studio album in 2007 releasing three singles; "Official Girl" featuring Lil Wayne in August 2008, "Must Be Love" featuring Diddy in April 2009, and "Let's Get Crazy" featuring Akon in August 2009, which all failed to chart in the USA, in late 2009 Cassie signed a record deal with Interscope Records. On April 11, 2013 Cassie released her debut mixtape RockaByeBaby, which was promoted with the release of "Numb" featuring Rick Ross and "Paradise" featuring Wiz Khalifa.

Apart from music, Cassie is signed to modeling agency Wilhelmina Models and One Management. Cassie has modeled for Calvin Klein one[2] and has been featured in magazines including GQ[3] and Bust and becoming the face of ASOS 2013 spring collection,[4] Cassie has appeared in adverts for Delia's, Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, Seventeen, and a commercial for Clean and Clear.[5] Cassie is known for being a style icon due to her "edgy style"[6] and "feminine" and "sophisticated" fashion. Cassie is also known for setting the trend among women of shaving their hair, after Cassie shaved hers in 2009 influenced by punk.[7] Cassie cites Kate Moss as her style influence.[8] Cassie has also ventured into acting, she made her film debut in Step Up 2: The Streets (2008).

Early life

Cassie Ventura was born in 1986 in New London, Connecticut;[9] the daughter of a Filipino father and a mother of African-American, Mexican and West Indian descent.[10] She attended the Williams School, a preparatory school, located on the Connecticut College campus.[11] At age 14 Cassie began modeling, and when she was sixteen, she was modeling for local department stores, Delia's fashion catalog, and Seventeen.[9][11][12] Cassie also briefly appeared in R&B singer Mario's "Just a Friend 2002" music video.[13] Encouraged by producer Rockwilder, Cassie took vocal lessons as well as using her schools performing arts program, taking modern ballet.[11] Cassie finished high school in 2004, instead of going to college like her peers she moved to New York City, where she returned to modeling and classes at the Broadway Dance Center.[11] Whilst Cassie was in New York, she began booking print and commercial modeling gigs and being represented by Wilhelmina Models.[14]

Career

2004–06: Cassie

Ryan Leslie spotted Cassie at clubs and parties in late 2002 frequently.[11][15] The two wrote a duet called "Kiss Me", and after recording the track, Leslie played the song for music executive Tommy Mottola.[11][15] Mottola offered Cassie a management deal, and Leslie signed her to NextSelection Lifestyle Group, his music-media company he founded with online marketing partner Rasheed Richmond.[16][17] Leslie wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U", in 2005. The song became a club hit in Germany.[9] During this time, Diddy heard "Me & U" in a club, and Leslie convinced him to partner his Bad Boy Records with Leslie's NextSelection imprint for the release of Cassie's debut album.[9]

Ryan Leslie produced most of the album, which is a mix of R&B/hip hop/pop. Ventura said in an interview, "I rap, I sing, I do my R&B, I do my slow songs and stuff that the girls will love, I have a down South joint, I have a rock song that I did with my girls this band called Pretty Boys."[18] She paid tribute to her Filipino culture by incorporating OPM sounds into some of the ballads. The album, Cassie, was released on August 8, 2006 and sold 321,000 copies in the United States.[19] The album's lead single "Me & U" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, selling more than 1 million digital downloads.[20] To promote her album, Cassie performed on Total Request Live and 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live. Her performances were described as "rocky" and "less-than-stellar", but Diddy said that it was due to her inexperience.[21] He said that he would be "with her through her development", and that he has no "question on her ability [to sing]".[21] Cassie addressed the events on her MySpace page, saying that she is aware that her performances were "pretty bad", and that she was "still getting over stage fright".[21]

2007–12: Film debut and Interscope records

Cassie in April 2007

MTV News reported in June 2007 that contrary to rumors, Cassie had not been dropped from Bad Boy Records after releasing two singles from her self-titled debut album. Diddy said that she was in the studio working with producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams on her second album.[22] It was also reported that Cassie was no longer collaborating with Ryan Leslie, who had produced the majority of her debut album.[23] However, the singer later stated that she was open to collaborating with Leslie again.[24] According to Bad Boy A&R Daniel 'Skid' Mitchell, rather than largely relying on the one songwriter-producer, the new album's mix of writers and producers, as well as her own co-write input, makes it a more personal record for her.[25] Additional production on the album came from Seven and LV, as well as Diddy himself.[26] Cassie said that she had also collaborated with Akon, The Neptunes, Danja, Eric Hudson, The Surf Club and Rob Holiday, although she was not sure which tracks were going to be included on the album.[24] Commenting on the number of producers on the album, Cassie said that she "collaborated with a lot of different producers and a lot of different writers, which was an amazing opportunity for me, because on my first album, one producer [Ryan Leslie] straight through…which was fun, but it was nice to experience other people."[27]

In 2008 Cassie made her film debut as Sophie Donovan in the dance film Step Up 2: The Streets, Cassie also sang the lead single "Is It You" to the Step Up soundtrack. The song was released on November 13, 2007,[28] and peaked at eighty-five on the Canadian Hot 100[29] and fifty-two in the United Kingdom.[30]

In July 2009, Cassie announced that the album's title would be Electro Love. The idea was given to her by DJ Cassidy; Cassie explained by saying that "it's basically the sound of the album. It's not supposed to be taken so literal. 'Electro' could be like house and techno, but that's not what it is, but it's definitely a dance album. I just wanted it to be a reflection of that and the vibe of the music. It has that love song feel to it, but accompanied by that specific beat".[24] Cassie said that her new album will demonstrate more "independence"; there will be a "difference in vocals, a little bit more personality. And it's definitely a sensual album".[31] Three singles have been released from the album; "Official Girl" featuring Lil Wayne in August 2008, "Must Be Love" featuring Diddy in April 2009, and "Let's Get Crazy" featuring Akon in August 2009. All three singles failed to chart in the United States.[23]

After several delays, it was announced in December 2009 that Cassie had signed a new record deal with Interscope Records.[32] She is featured in a spread in the August/September issue of Bust in which she said a new single will be released in the fall. She has recently told her Twitter followers that she is still in the studio recording for her album. At the time of an October 2010 interview with HitQuarters, A&R Daniel 'Skid' Mitchell said that Cassie had already recorded around fifty songs for the album. Mitchell said that she was taking her time over the album because she is keen for "it to be something that people are going to respect."[25] She also appeared in rapper Wiz Khalifa's "Roll Up" music video as his love interest.

2012–13: RockaByeBaby

Cassie released single, "King of Hearts", which was released in the United States on February 14, 2012, along with the official music video.[33] On April 24, 2012, Cassie performed the single live for the first time at BET's 106 & Park music video show. She concluded the performance with a brief dance number set to the Kanye West remix of the song, along with four dancers. After the performance Cassie and 106 & Park were worldwide trending topics on Twitter and it received mostly mixed to positive reviews from various online media outlets.[34] The single, "Balcony", featuring Young Jeezy, was then sent to U.S. urban radio stations on September 18, 2012.[35] On September 13, 2012, Nicki Minaj released the debut single off her re-release album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up, titled "The Boys", featuring Cassie.[36] The song was then sent to urban radios on September 25 and a music video was released on October 18.[37]

In July 2012, Cassie announced in a letter to her fans that she had been working simultaneously on her album and a new mixtape titled RockaByeBaby.[38][39] Cassie has been working with producers will.i.am, Da Internz, and Toby Gad, and was hoping to release it by the end of the year.[40] Cassie revealed that Da Internz had produced two songs for the project that were ready, she continued to say that the mixtape would set the "tone" for the album's sound.[41] RockaByeBaby was released on April 11, 2013,[42] the mixtape featured production from Rob Holladay, Da Internz, Young Chop, Mike WiLL Made It[43] as well as guest features from Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, French Montana, Too $hort, Fabolous, and Ester Dean. The mixtape placed 43rd on Stereogum's 50 Best Albums of 2013 list and named one of Fact's 20 Best Mixtapes of 2013.[44][45] "RockaByeBaby" was also named best mixtape of the year by Dazed & Confused.[46]

The mixtape saw the release of "Numb" featuring American rapper Rick Ross on April 2, along with the songs accompanying music video[43] and "Paradise" featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa premiered on April 9, 2013 alongside the video on BET 106 & Park.[8][47][48] In April 2013 it was announced that Cassie was the face of the Summer 2013 Forever 21 collection.[49] "I Love It" featuring rapper Fabolous served as the mixtape's third promotional song, a behind the scenes video was released online on May 20, 2013. The music video was directed by Chris Latouche and filmed in an underground club.[50] On September 5, 2013, Cassie released a video for the track "I Know What You Want", directed by Christopher LaTouche and JayOhh.[51]

2016: Second studio album and return to acting

In March 2015, Cassie's boyfriend, rapper Diddy announced he would return to producing and revealed he would be producing songs for Cassie's second studio album.[52] In 2016 it was announced Cassie would return to acting, playing the lead role in the romantic comedy The Perfect Match. Released on March 11, 2016, the Billie Woodruff directed film, stars Cassie along side Terrence J who plays Charlie, a successful playboy who doesn’t believe in love until he crosses paths with the sexy Eva (Cassie).[53]

Artistry

Cassie's musical sound is R&B, pop, and hip hop soul. Her voice has "character and ability".[54] Cassie cites Aaliyah, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Nine Inch Nails and La Lupe as musical influences. Cassie also refers to herself as a “die-hard Janet Jackson fan”, continuing to say “I’d love to emulate Janet Jackson’s career—totally, Janet Jackson is an incredible and fantastic, from her moves to her voice”.[55] Cassie debut album was R&B and pop rock with urban and contemporary R&B styles, the album contained "looming synthesizer patterns" and "ice-cream-truck melody to give it a slightly twisted and threatening edge", as well as containing "flippant playfulness".[54] RockaByeBaby (2013) is an R&B and hip hop mixtape that featured "dark"[56] and a "raw, laid back vibe."[57]

Personal life

She is currently in a relationship with rapper/mogul Diddy.[58] In May 2015, they were featured in a racy ad for Diddy's fragrance "3 AM".[59]

Discography

Main article: Cassie Ventura discography

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role
2008 Step Up 2: The Streets Sophie Donovan
2016 The Perfect Match Eva
2016 Honey 3 Melea Martin [1]

References

  1. ^ Farber, Jim. Sounds of Summer, New York Daily News. August 1, 2006. NOW; Bullets & Bombs; page 34.
  2. ^ "Cassie Goes Bra And Panties For CK1 (PHOTOS)". Global Grind. February 24, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  3. ^ Anthony, Mark. "Cassie Sexy GQ Photos - October 2012: Music". GQ. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  4. ^ "Cassie Ventura Stars As The Face Of ASOS Spring Campaign (PHOTOS)". Global Grind. February 28, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  5. ^ "Cassie Ventura Biography". The Hollywood Gossip. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Cassie Ventura". Zimbio. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  7. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (October 25, 2012). "From Rihanna To Ellie Goulding: Cassie Breaks Down The Shaved-Head Trend - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Cassie Brings 'RockaByeBaby' to '106 & Park'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d "Cassie". AskMen.com. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  10. ^ Harris, Tara (February 11, 2008). "STEP UP 2 THE STREETS An Interview with Cassie Ventura". Blackfilm.com. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Cassie - AskMen". Uk.askmen.com. August 26, 1986. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  12. ^ "Warner Music Canada – CASSIE". Warnermusic.ca. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  13. ^ "Mario – Just A Friend 2002". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  14. ^ "Cassie Ventura Biography". Buddytv.com. August 26, 1986. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  15. ^ a b Sunday 14 April 2013 (January 15, 2013). "Cassie – Discover music, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. Retrieved April 18, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Ryan Leslie Interview. Randb.about.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
  17. ^ An Interactive Design Agency. NextSelection. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
  18. ^ Williams-Wheeler, Dorrie (June 2006). "Cassie-Interview at Thabiz.com Urban Entertainment Celebrity Interviews". Thabiz.com. Retrieved August 13, 2007.
  19. ^ Werde, Bill (April 6, 2008). "Diddy: Cassie CD Will Catch People 'Off Guard'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  20. ^ Werde, Bill (April 7, 2008). "Diddy: Cassie CD Will Catch People "Off Guard"". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  21. ^ a b c Reid, Shaheem (August 16, 2006). "Diddy Brushes Off Cassie's Rocky Week". MTV. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  22. ^ Reid, Shaheem (June 21, 2007). "Diddy Says Cassie Hasn't Been Dropped – She's Just Busy With Kanye, Pharrell". MTV News. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  23. ^ a b Adelman, Charlie (September 16, 2009). "Waiting for Cassie to give us her Love". The Daily Free Press. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  24. ^ a b c Ivey, Nile (July 30, 2009). "Cassie: It's All Electro Love". Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  25. ^ a b "Interview With Daniel 'Skid' Mitchell". HitQuarters. October 25, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  26. ^ "Cassie Grows Up on second album". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  27. ^ "Exclusive: Cassie Grows Up on Second Album". Rap-Up. August 26, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  28. ^ "iTunes - Music - Is It You - Single by Cassie". Itunes.apple.com. November 13, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  29. ^ "Is It You" (Canadian Hot 100) at Billboard online, February 23, 2008.
  30. ^ "Cassie - Is It You". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  31. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 18, 2008). "Cassie's Single With Lil Wayne, Official Girl, Shows Personality, Sensuality of Singer's Sophomore LP". MTV. Retrieved August 23, 2008.
  32. ^ Sir Platinum Graham (December 11, 2009). "Cassie To Interscope With Diddy, Red Cafe ? | Singersroom Celebs". Blog.singersroom.com. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  33. ^ "Cassie – King of Hearts". YouTube. February 14, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  34. ^ "Cassie Performs 'King of Hearts' on '106 & Park'". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  35. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  36. ^ "iTunes – Music – The Boys – Single by Nicki Minaj & Cassie". Itunes.apple.com. September 13, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  37. ^ "Nicki Minaj, Cassie – The Boys (Explicit)". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  38. ^ "CassieSuper: A letter to my". tmi.me. July 7, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  39. ^ "Cassie - RockaByeBaby". DatPiff. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  40. ^ "Exclusive Q&A: Cassie Talks 'RockaByeBaby,' Diddy's Influence, & Finding Her Freedom". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  41. ^ "Interview: Cassie Talks Working in a Boys Club, Her "RockaByeBaby" Mixtape, and Unreleased Music With Kanye and Pharrell". Complex. April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  42. ^ "Cassie announces release date for Rock A Bye Baby – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  43. ^ a b "Video: Cassie f/ Rick Ross – 'Numb'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  44. ^ "Cassie - RockaByeBaby (Bad Boy) - Stereogum". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  45. ^ "The 20 best mixtapes of 2013". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  46. ^ Dazed. "Top ten mixtapes of 2013". Dazed. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  47. ^ "Cassie Feat. Wiz Khalifa - 'Paradise' Music Video". Directlyrics.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  48. ^ "Video: Cassie f/ Wiz Khalifa – 'Paradise'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  49. ^ Emma Spedding (April 12, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE: First Look At Cassie As The Face Of Forever 21's Spring Summer 2013 Campaign | Grazia Fashion". Graziadaily.co.uk. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  50. ^ "Behind the Video: Cassie f/ Fabolous – 'I Love It'". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  51. ^ "Video: Cassie – 'I Know What You Want'". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  52. ^ http://www.musictimes.com/articles/31303/20150311/diddy-producing-new-music-kanye-west-pusha-t-the-weeknd-asap-ferg-mmm-album.htm
  53. ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2016/01/19/the-perfect-match-trailer/
  54. ^ a b Kellman, Andy (August 8, 2006). "Cassie - Cassie : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  55. ^ "Cassie Ventura Profile and Biography". Celebrity Days. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ "Cassie #RockaByeBaby (MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD)". Global Grind. April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  57. ^ http://www.vibevixen.com/2013/04/5-things-to-expect-from-cassies-rockabyebaby-mixtape/
  58. ^ "Diddy and Cassie Finally Confirm Their Long-Term Secret Relationship". Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  59. ^ "Diddy and Cassie Get Naked in Racy '3AM' Fragrance Ad". Rap-Up. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  60. ^ "Cassie - RockaByeBaby". TapeFire.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cassie (singer).
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