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RockaByeBaby is the first mixtape by American recording artist Cassie, released on April 11, 2013 by Bad Boy Records. It is her first body of work released since her debut studio album Cassie (2006). Following the premiere of the track "King of Hearts" in February 2012, which was initially announced as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album,[1] Cassie announced that she would release a mixtape.[2][3] The mixtape's concept is based on the 1991 film New Jack City.

RockaByeBaby is Cassie's first body of work to include a diverse roster of collaborators including musical guests Meek Mill, French Montana, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Pusha T, Ester Dean, Wiz Khalifa, and Too $hort, as well as writer James Fauntleroy. Recording and production sessions for the mixtape took place with producers Da Internz, Mike Will Made It, Rob Holladay,Trappin Ass Mac, Rob Holladay, B Joanz, Noel Cadastre, The Real Knotch, The Fr3shmen, THC, Sounwave, Young Chop, David D.A. Doman, FRESHM3N III, Soundz Dope and Terrace Martin.

RockaByeBaby received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its production and the mixtapes features, with some critics calling it "hip-hop's streetest spitters" and praising Cassie's vocal performances. On April 2, 2013 "Numb" featuring American rapper Rick Ross was released alongside its accompanying music video. "Paradise" featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa premiered on April 9, 2013 alongside the video on BET 106 & Park.

Background and development

After being spotted frequently in late 2002 and clubs and parties by music producer, Ryan Leslie.[4][5] The two worked together and wrote a duet called "Kiss Me", and after recording the track, Leslie played the song for music executive Tommy Mottola.[4][5] After hearing "Kiss Me" Mottola offered Cassie a management deal, and Leslie also signed her to NextSelection Lifestyle Group, his music-media company he founded with online marketing partner Rasheed Richmond.[6][7] Leslie wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U", in 2005. The song became a successful club song in Germany.[8] During this time, Diddy heard "Me & U", and Leslie convinced him to partner his Bad Boy Records with Leslie's NextSelection imprint for the release of Cassie's debut album.[8]

After signing a record deal in 2006 Cassie released her debut album Cassie, which was released on August 8, 2006 and sold 321,000 copies in the US. Lead single "Me & U" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, selling more than 1 million digital downloads.[9] In 2007 Cassie began work on her second studio album, 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 "Lets Get Crazy" featuring Akon in August 2009. All three singles failed to chart in the USA.[10] After several delays, it was announced in December 2009 that Cassie had signed a new record deal with Interscope Records.[11] Cassie released the first single for her second album, "King of Hearts", was released in the United States on February 14, 2012, along with the official music video.[12]

Title, concept and artwork

Puff helped me come up with the concept of it being RockaByeBaby being based on New Jack City, like how do we want to make this an idea and a concept without forcing it on people and making it something cheesy.

— Cassie, speaking on the concept.[13]

P Diddy helped Cassie come up with concept of the mixtape being based on the crime film New Jack City (1991). The concept was based on Keisha from the film New Jack City played by Vanessa A. Williams, during an interview Cassie spoke on this decision saying "At first when we came up with the concept of RockaByeBaby it was loosely based on New Jack City and Keisha in New Jack City, who was sent to do the dirty work for the guys in the film. RockaByeBaby is really based on Keisha and her just no-bullshit attitude and I wanted it to be a reflection of a different side of my personality that people haven’t really gotten to experience yet. It’s just a tougher side of my personality."[13] The mixtapes official artwork was revealed through both Cassie's official Twitter and official Instagram, on the day of the mixtapes release.[14] The cover consists of Cassie appearing with a gold "smoking gun", gold necklace, earrings, rings and gold lipstick.[15] Cassie described the artwork as her "tougher" side of her personality which has a "attitude".[16]

Composition

Speaking on the mixtapes genre Cassie described “It’s not pop, it’s not R&B, it’s Cassie.”[17] Further more Cassie said "My goal was to make a tape that you could vibe to and that people could enjoy from the beginning until the end. I want this to be what you listen to when you need to escape".[18] "Paradise" is a "Slow-bubbling minimalist" song[19] and has a "old-school vibe",[20] it features American rapper Wiz Khalifa, is produced by Da Internz[21] and written by James Fauntleroy.[22] "Numb" featuring Rick Ross was described by idolator as being "haunting and eerie and minimalist and a little bit trippy."[23] "Sound of Love" featuring American singer Jeremih is a "slow jam"[24] that last for a duration of four minutes sixteen seconds. "Sound of Love" was written by The Real Knotch and produced by the latter and Rob Holladay. "Turn Up" features rapper Meek Mill produced by Young Chop, "Turn Up" is "sinister synthscape" song.[19] The song "I Know What You Want" utilises the instrumental from "m.A.A.d City" by Kendrick Lamar.[25] The song "Do My Dance" utilises the instrumental of the song of the same name by Tyga.

Release

In July 2012, Cassie announced in a letter to her fans that she has been working simultaneously on her album and a new mixtape entitled "Rock-A-Bye Baby", which will be released on April 11, 2013.[2] The mixtape will be released online through various media outlets.[26]

On March 12, 2013 Cassie revealed a photo via her official instagram, the photo consisted of Cassie and armed men as well as the mixtapes official released date "April 11, 2013".[27] On March 20, 2013 Cassie released a trailer in support of the mixtape, The clip features footage of a shooting scene from New Jack City, where she got the title from. Cassie is seen walking down a dark road and blows smoke into the camera, while a vehicle drives by.[28] During an interview Cassie described the mixtape and why she released it saying “This mixtape is about more than just music, it’s about the art, the visuals and the people,” continuing to say “I wanted to release RockaByeBaby to show my appreciation to the supporters that have been there from day one and always believed in me and my art.”[18] on April 8, 2013 Cassie held a "listening party" in which fans could meet and greet her.[29][30]

On April 11, 2013, the mixtape was finally released exclusively as a free download on DatPiff.[3] RockaByeBaby has so far been downloaded over 650,000 times and, with over 2 million views as well, it's been certified 2x platinum on that website, making it one of their most popular mixtapes ever.[31]

Promotion

On December 17, 2012, a new Cassie song ‘End Of The Line’ surfaced online along with its video, it contained "string-and-piano melody" and was produced by The Knotch.[32] On January 24, 2013 Cassie released a remix of Trinidad James single “All Gold Everything” entitled “All Gold, All Girls” featuring American female rappers, Trina and LoLa Monroe, to announce the upcoming release of the mixtape.[33] Neither of the two latter songs were featured on the mixtapes final track listing.

On March 26, 2013 Cassie released a trailer for "Numb" featuring American rapper Rick Ross, which is featured on the mixtape.[34] The video for the song was released on April 2, 2013 and directed by Alex Nazari. The video depicts Cassie walking down Hollywood Boulevard, on the beach at sunset, and on a dark road at night.[18]

On March 21, 2013 Cassie shot the video in Los Angeles[21] for the mixtape's song "Paradise" which features American rapper Wiz Khalifa, the video featured a cameo appearance from model Karrueche Tran.[35] On April 5, 2013 via her official Twitter and vimeo Cassie released a trailer for the song "Paradise" directed by Alex Nazari.[36] The video sees Cassie and Khalifa with "friends" on a porch and her driving a in an "old school" Chevrolet.[37] On April 9, 2013 the video for "Paradise" premiered on BET 106 & Park.[38][39][40]

"I Love It" featuring rapper Fabolous served as the mixtape's third promotional song, a behind the scenes video premiered online on May 20, 2013. The music video was directed by Chris Latouche and filmed in an underground club, but ended up not getting a release.[41] On September 5, 2013, Cassie released a video for the track "I Know What You Want", directed by Christopher LaTouche and JayOhh. The video depicts Cassie ridding a BMX bike in Rodeo Drive and pouring Ciroc on two men with illustrations by Eric-Shabazz Larkin.[42]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
MuuMuse[43]
Pitchfork Media7.8/10[44]
The Drop[disambiguation needed][45]
BET[46]

RockaByeBaby received critical acclaim. Noisey vice praised the mixtapes production calling it "supple, diamond-tipped" continuing to praise Cassie's vocals, calling them "cooing".[47] Global grind praised the mixtape for its use of "dark" music as well as the use of "clips from New Jack City intertwined throughout the project", Global Grind continued praising the featured rappers calling them "hip-hop's streetest spitters".[48] VIBE Vixen received the mixtape positively saying the mixtape's "new sound’s giving us chills". Jaz Cuevas from VIBE Vixen praised it saying "The 20something is serving up a raw, laid back vibe, and it’s obvious that Cassie is making music that is true to herself".[49] Singersroom, praised the body of work for its "aggressive sound" and Cassie's "edgier side" continuing to say "Cassie rocks out on every track with her soft voice, but with the bravado of a female rapper".[24]

Miles Raymer of Pitchfork gave the mixtape a score of 7.8 out of 10, saying "Cassie fans have spent a long, long time waiting for the rest of the world to start paying attention to her. After RockaByeBaby I can’t imagine they’ll be able to ignore her for much longer."[50]

The mixtape was placed at 43 on Stereogum's 50 Best Albums of 2013 list and named one of Fact's 20 Best Mixtapes of 2013.[51][52] RockaByeBaby was also named best mixtape of the year by Dazed & Confused magazine.[53]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"  0:15
2."Paradise" (featuring Wiz Khalifa)
3:57
3."Take Care of Me Baby" (featuring Pusha T)
3:05
4."Addiction" (featuring French Montana)
  • Rob Holladay
  • Magnificent
  • Knotch
  • BJONES!
3:38
5."Numb" (featuring Rick Ross)


Noel Cadastre, Jordan J. Sirhan3:58
6."Sound of Love" (featuring Jeremih)
  • Knotch
  • Rob Holladay
4:16
7."I Love It" (featuring Fabolous)
  • The Fr3shmen
  • Rob Holladay
3:26
8."RockaByeBaby"
  • Rob Holladay
  • Magnificent
2:30
9."I Know What You Want"Fauntleroy
2:21
10."Turn Up" (featuring Meek Mill)
Young Chop2:33
11."Do My Dance" (featuring Too Short)
David D.A. Doman2:29
12."Bad Bitches" (featuring Ester Dean)Ester DeanAubry Delaine2:55
13."All My Love"FeltonSoundz1:54

References

  1. ^ "Cassie – King of Hearts". YouTube. February 14, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "CassieSuper: A letter to my". tmi.me. July 7, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Cassie - RockaByeBaby". DatPiff. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Cassie - AskMen". Uk.askmen.com. 1986-08-26. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  5. ^ a b "Cassie – Discover music, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  6. ^ Ryan Leslie Interview. Randb.about.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
  7. ^ An Interactive Design Agency. NextSelection. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
  8. ^ a b "Cassie". AskMen.com. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  9. ^ Werde, Bill (April 7, 2008). "Diddy: Cassie CD Will Catch People "Off Guard"". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  10. ^ Adelman, Charlie (September 16, 2009). "Waiting for Cassie to give us her Love". The Daily Free Press. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  11. ^ Sir Platinum Graham (December 11, 2009). "Cassie To Interscope With Diddy, Red Cafe ? | Singersroom Celebs". Blog.singersroom.com. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  12. ^ "Cassie – King of Hearts". YouTube. February 14, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Exclusive Q&A: Cassie Talks 'RockaByeBaby,' Diddy's Influence, & Finding Her Freedom". Rap-Up.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  14. ^ "Photo by casandrae • Instagram". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  15. ^ Jazzy F. "Cassie Is Smoking Hot In All Gold On "Rockabye Baby" Mixtape Cover Art | itsOnlyENTERTAINMENT.NET | Pop Culture, Celebrity News, Hip Hop & R&B Music". Itsonlyentertainment.Net. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  16. ^ Lauren Nostro. "Interview: Cassie Talks Working in a Boys Club, Her "RockaByeBaby" Mixtape, and Unreleased Music With Kanye and Pharrell". Complex. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Video: Cassie – '#RockaByeBaby' [Trailer]". Rap-Up.com. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  18. ^ a b c "Video: Cassie f/ Rick Ross – 'Numb'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  19. ^ a b "Cassie". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Cassie & Wiz Khalifa "Paradise" (NEW VIDEO) - Global Grind". Global Grind. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  21. ^ a b "On The Sets: Cassie – 'Paradise' (Feat. Wiz Khalifa) | HipHop-N-More". Hiphop-n-more.com. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  22. ^ "Cassie Announces RockaByeBaby Mixtape Out April 11th". MarketWatch. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  23. ^ Sam Lansky. "Cassie Teases New Single "Numb" Featuring Rick Ross: Watch | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Mix Room - Cassie - RockaByeBaby - Singersroom.com". Singersroom. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  25. ^ "Cassie's I Know What You Want sample of Kendrick Lamar feat. MC Eiht's m.A.A.d City - WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  26. ^ "Cassie - RockaByeBaby". TapeFire.com. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  27. ^ "Cassie announces release date for Rock A Bye Baby – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  28. ^ "Video: Cassie – '#RockaByeBaby' [Trailer]". Rap-Up.com. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  29. ^ "Photo by casandrae • Instagram". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  30. ^ Courtesy of Sneaker Room (2011-11-01). "Cassie to appear for listening party, autographs in Jersey City today". NJ.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  31. ^ "DatPiff :: Newest Free Mixtapes". DatPiff. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  32. ^ "Watch Cassie's 'End Of The Line' video – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. December 17, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  33. ^ "New Music: Cassie f/ Trina & LoLa Monroe – 'All Gold, All Girls'". Rap-Up.com. January 24, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  34. ^ "Video: Cassie f/ Rick Ross – 'Numb' [Trailer]". Rap-Up.com. October 18, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  35. ^ "Cassie Shoots 'Paradise' Video with Wiz Khalifa". Rap-Up.com. March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  36. ^ from Rock-a-Bye Baby Plus 6 days ago not yet rated (2013-04-05). "Cassie | Paradise ft Wiz Khalifa (Trailer) on Vimeo". Vimeo.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ "Video: Cassie f/ Wiz Khalifa – 'Paradise' [Trailer]". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  38. ^ "Cassie Feat. Wiz Khalifa - 'Paradise' Music Video". Directlyrics.com. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  39. ^ "Video: Cassie f/ Wiz Khalifa – 'Paradise'". Rap-Up.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  40. ^ "Cassie Brings 'RockaByeBaby' to '106 & Park'". Rap-Up.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  41. ^ "Behind the Video: Cassie f/ Fabolous – 'I Love It'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  42. ^ "Video: Cassie – 'I Know What You Want'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  43. ^ "In Praise of the Bad Bitch: Cassie's 'RockaByeBaby' (Mixtape Review)". MuuMuse. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  44. ^ "Cassie". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  45. ^ "Cassie, 'RockaByeBaby' – Mixtape Review". TheDrop.fm. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  46. ^ "Mixtape Review: Cassie, RockaByeBaby". BET.com. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  47. ^ "'RockaByeBaby' Reception". http://noisey.vice.com/. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2013-04-11. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  48. ^ "Cassie #RockaByeBaby (MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD)". Global Grind. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  49. ^ http://www.vibevixen.com/2013/04/5-things-to-expect-from-cassies-rockabyebaby-mixtape/
  50. ^ "Cassie". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  51. ^ "Cassie - RockaByeBaby (Bad Boy) - Stereogum". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  52. ^ "The 20 best mixtapes of 2013". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  53. ^ Dazed. "Top ten mixtapes of 2013". Dazed. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
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