Cassidy:
I'm a Hustla

Release Date: 28 June 2005

Reviewed By: Usman Sajjad

1. Problem Vs The Hustla

2. I'm A Hustla

3. On The Grind

4. Crack

5. B Boy Stance

6. AM to PM

7. Can't Fade Me-Cassidy & Nas/Quan

8. Kick It Wit' You - Cassidy & Mario

9. Bonics

10. Bellybutton

11. Get 'Em - Cassidy & Swizz Beatz

12. So Long - Cassidy & Mashonda/Raekwon

13. 6 Minutes - Cassidy & Lil' Wayne/Fabolous

14. Message

15. I'm A Hustla - Cassidy & Mary J. Blige

Coach Carter - Soundtrack
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Who would have thought the baby faced rapper whose debut single had R. Kelly on the hook in attempts to seduce lovely women to his hotel room, would be currently facing legal problems over a murder and conspiracy case. Whether the Philly native beats his case or not, the album ‘I’m a Hustla’ is the anticipated sophomore release from the protégée under super producer Swizz Beats. Looking to prove the critics wrong after a lackluster R&B debut album after he was hyped to be the next best thing, Cassidy enlists the help of Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Raekwon, Nas, Quan and others, whilst “the Monster” Swizz Beats handles much of the album’s ‘knob twiddling’. 

The lead single ‘I’m A Hustla’ is one of 2005’s biggest records, on which Cass comes through strong over a powerful beat strung together by Swizz Beats, sampling the notable line from the Jigga man himself, ‘I’m a Hustla… ask about me’, taken from ‘Dirt Off Your Shoulder’, the 2004 hit found on the ‘Black Album’. A single spreading over the radio airways whilst blazing the streets, Cass also delivers successfully on the Swizz Beats’ produced ‘B-Boy Stance’, another street orientated hit - (look out for the 50 Cent stab in the video!). 

Cass is accompanied by Queenbridge’s own Nas and the mellow sounds of newcomer Quan on ‘Can’t Fade Me’, a track carried by Quan’s vocals, in the same way he carried Nas’ hit ‘Just A Moment’. The Philly rapper enlists more big name stars in the form of Lil Wayne and Fabolous on ‘6 minutes’, the track oozing with fire lyrics. 

His seduction skills were proven on his hit ‘Hotel’, and Cassidy talks to the ladies once again on ‘Kick It With You’, an R&B driven anthem with 2005’s biggest R&B singer, Mario. Another strong track on the album is ‘So Long’, which sees both Cassidy and Wu Tang’s very own Raekwon rapping passionately about the fruits of relationships, while Full Surface artist Mashonda laces a strong hook. 

With ‘I’m A Hustler’ almost looking to be a strong album, records such as ‘Bellybutton’ and ‘C-Bonics’, ruin a potential success story for the Full Surface Records star. 

Signs of growth and development are shown in the young star from his last album, in the incredible ‘The Message’ featuring Dr Ben Chavis, a rap powered by a strong sample and conscious rhymes from Cassidy. 

Overall, the album comes strong at critics and pushes Cassidy into the wider audience, which he missed out on his first album ‘Split Personality’. Let’s hope his luck runs with him in his quest to come out of jail. 

Rating: 4 Out of 5

Top 3 Tracks: 

2. I’m a Hustla

7. Can't Fade Me featuring Nas and Quan

12. Son Long featuring Raekwon and Mashonda

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