Cassidy Split Personality CD

Parental Advisory-Strong Lang. Sexual & Violent Content

Personnel includes: Cassidy, R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, Styles P, Trina, Moshonda.
Producers include: V. Flowers, Neo.com, Swizz Beats, J. Brown, Nottz.
Personnel: Rhodanna Dumaurier, Ina Swimmer, Waah (vocals); Donnie Lyle, Larry Phillabaum, Rich Keller (guitar).
Audio Mixers: Chris Theis; Glen Marchese; Larry Phillabaum.
Recording information: 36 Chambers Studios, Inc., New York, NY; Chocolate Factory Studios, Chicago, IL; Doppler Studios, Atlanta, GA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; Studio Center, Miami, FL; The Church, Los Angeles, CA; The Hit Factory, New York, NY.
Photographer: Jonathan Mannion.
The decision to make the R. Kelly-assisted "Hotel" the first single off Split Personality made it clear that Cassidy -- or, in reality, his handlers -- wanted to play up his chameleonic nature and fresh-faced image as soon as possible. This was a gamble that landed him in the Top Ten. A track as soft and smooth as Nick Cannon's "Gigolo" (also featuring Kelly), in addition to being thematically interchangeable with Chingy's more recent "Holidae In," "Hotel" did not seem to be an apt debut single for the MC who slew Freeway in battle and tore up a couple verses on mentor/producer Swizz Beatz's G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories. Nonetheless, the track's success diversified the anticipation for the debut album, though those amped for more of the hard material might've been turned off by the exposure-swelling sop to the ladies. Cassidy's different approaches are even more pronounced as the album plays out. Divided into thirds, Split Personality begins with Cassidy's softer, more flirtatious side, and then slides into the harder-hitting material for the latter two-thirds. This set-up is a convenience to listeners who want their Cassidy in a specific mode. The problem is that the MC is much more effective when donning his battle-tested side; as a result, the majority of that first third is filled out with moments that, on the average rap record, would fall by the wayside -- tracks like "Make U Scream" and the redundant "Hotel"-alike "Get No Better" ("Mmm mmm mmm, with ya sexy self/Go to my hotel and undress yourself") typically show up when an album is winding down, not when it's supposed to be gathering steam. On the rest of the album, it doesn't seem like Cassidy's playing a role so much, and the quality level improves because of it. It shows how formidable he can be, even if he's not ready to rank with his top-tier elders. As the first release from Swizz Beats' J-supported Full Surface, the album is a minor disappointment while simultaneously showing promise. ~ Andy Kellman
Philly-native Cassidy earned his rep practically overnight when in a freestyle contest, he bested hometown hero Freeway, securing a deal with J Records. SPLIT PERSONALITY is the result of his meteoric rise and is more than just an album title; the fast-thinking Cassidy has literally split this disc into three mini-records featuring his varied personas: Cassidy (the lover), Tha Problem (the thug), and B. Reese (the philosopher). It's in the first guise that he collaborated with R. Kelly for his explosively catchy hit single "Hotel," which opens the Cassidy portion of the record.
In fact, it's as "himself" that Cassidy truly shines; "Hotel" has a pop hook and bedroom eyes, "Get No Better" possesses requisite swagger for the lothario don, and "Make U Scream" burns with overflowing raw sexuality. As B. Reese, he offers sharp-eyed street observations, particularly on the message-touting "Real Talk" and the importunate "I'm Hungry." As Tha Problem, he encases his opening rant, "Tha Problem" in an insistent Public Enemy loop and psychotically channels the Geto Boys on the phlegmatic "Blood Pressure." SPLIT PERSONALITY is an intriguing record by one of the more perceptive and promising young voices in hip-hop (think Nas just before recording ILLMATIC).