Cassidy (rapper)

Cassidy
Cassidy in May 2005
Background information
Birth name	Barry Adrian Reese
Born	(1982-07-07) July 7, 1982 (age 34) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, actor, songwriter
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Larsiny Family, T2R Music Group (current) Ruff Ryders Entertainment, E1 Music, Full Surface Records, J Records (former)
Associated acts	Larsiny Family, Chubby Jag, J.R. Writer, Mashonda, Swizz Beatz

Barry Adrian Reese (born July 7, 1982), better known by his stage name Cassidy, is an American hip hop recording artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He embarked on his musical career as a freestyle and battle rapper, later earning a record deal in 2002, with Ruff Ryders and Full Surface Records, under the aegis of J Records. Cassidy is perhaps best known for his hit singles "Hotel", "Get No Better", "I'm a Hustla", "B-Boy Stance" and "My Drink n My 2 Step".

Split Personality, Cassidy's debut album, arrived in March 2004, and debuted at the number two spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. The following year, Cassidy returned with I'm a Hustla, which was released roughly two weeks after he was charged with a murder that took place in his Philadelphia neighborhood. After being seriously injured in a vehicle accident in October 2006 and suffering from amnesia, Cassidy made a comeback with 2007's B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.

In 2002, Cassidy signed a recording contract with American music producer Swizz Beatz's Full Surface imprint, under the aegis of Ruff Ryders Entertainment and J Records. On November 29, 2003, he released his commercial debut single, "Hotel", featuring R. Kelly. The song reached the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The second single, "Get No Better", features Mashonda. On March 16, 2004, Cassidy released his debut album, Split Personality. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in the first month.