Words By T.C.

Cass

When art imitates life, there’s usually a heightened sense of realism that makes the end product a compelling experience. In Cassidy’s case, the last couple of years in his life have been cataclysmic enough to make him a Hip-Hop Picasso. After being released from prison for a murder he didn’t commit, the Philadelphia MC saw his life nearly lost again when he was involved in a car accident that left him with a fractured skull among other injuries. So with the recovery process out the way, the Full Surface Records marquee man is poised to convey all the details on his most personal album to date B.A.R.S. (The Barry Adrian Reese Story). With production from colleagues Swizz Beatz and Neo Da Matrix alongside Kanye West, Nottz, and Hi-Tek, Cassidy aims for perfection but ultimately falls short with an incongruous pairing of topics that revisits the split personality department that he covered early in his career.

Still, there’s meat among the fat and Cassidy being well equipped with the wordplay, delivers noteworthy material throughout. The reflective “Innocent Man” depicts the events leading up to his conviction and eventual release over a dreamy backdrop that allows the story to be as vivid as needed. The slow creep of “Will Never Tell (Uh Uh)” is another gem that has Cass expressing his disdain for snitching while trying to stay out the way, and the madness of “Drink & My 2 Step” has been causing club patrons to proudly be disorderly while slurring through Swizz’s catchy chorus. But it’s the Bone Thugs, Eve featured “Cash Rulez” that steals the show with its Midwestern fever. Evoking flashbacks of Biggie’s classic “Notorious Thugs” with Cassidy opening up with an impressive flow and a borrowed line used for the hook, the track bleeds ambition and sheds light on Cassidy’s career development.

Using religion as crutch is what got Cassidy through his tumultuous problems and it rounds out the majority of the LP. “Leanin’ On The Lord” is a moving narrative that climaxes every verse with positivity from a relationship with God. And the buoyant “Done 4 Me” has Cassidy giving thanks for escaping all his troubles. But ironically, it’s these same soul bearing songs that make the album a massive contradiction. Not to say these sentiments aren’t genuine but they’re fairly glaring compared to the murderfest of “Where My Niggas At,” where Cassidy spits with assassin intentions. Lackluster material such as ” I Get My Paper” and “Take A Trip” do nothing for the album’s progression.

It’s oil and water mixups like this that make B.A.R.S. a split decision. While not the leap of faith some hoped for, Cassidy makes noble steps towards reaching that level while erasing the “battle rapper” stigma he carries by delivering well rounded songs. He spits “My old style died and went to punchline heaven” on the easy-going “Celebrate.”

Well, at least it’s a step in that direction.

Cassidy – B.A.R.S.

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