Rap-Up.com caught up with Cassie last week in Hollywood for a quick Q&A. The singer, who turns 22 today, discussed her forthcoming sophomore album, which artists and producers she’s working with, collaborating with Lil Wayne on her first single, and her favorite song right now.
Tell us about your second album.
My new album that I’m still working on is due in early 2009. The sound of this album is a little more sensual. I hate to say grown up because, you know, everyone says that, it’s a little cliché. But I definitely have grown up and I’ve learned a lot over the past two years. I don’t have a title yet, but I’m taking suggestions. I’ve been working on this album for a really long time. I could put it out now, but I’m so particular with the details. It has to be great. To have a second chance and second opportunity is really a big deal, so I want to take advantage of it and make sure I do it the best I can.
Who are you working with?
A recent collaboration would be The-Dream, which was really cool. I worked with Ryan [Leslie], he’s an artist now; I got to work with Puff, which was really cool; Mario Winans; and Kanye West. I collaborated with a lot of different producers and a lot of different writers, which was an amazing opportunity for me, because on my first album, one producer [Ryan Leslie] straight through…which was fun, but it was nice to experience other people.
He totally supported it 100%, and I’m still working with Ryan. We still have tracks on the album. We haven’t finished working together yet, but he is totally supportive.
Were you involved in writing the first single “Official Girl”?
Actually The Clutch wrote “Official Girl.” It fit really well right into actually being able to emotionally attach myself to a song, knowing that other girls out there would totally feel it too.
You worked with Lil Wayne on “Official Girl.” How was that?
Working with Lil Wayne was a lot of fun. The first time I actually got to hang out with him was on the video set, and he has such great energy. That was actually the day he went platinum, so that energy on the shoot was amazing too. And he’s a really down-to-earth guy.
What’s your favorite song right now?
I’m feeling “Jockin’ Jay-Z.”
Cassie Rap-Up interview
Veronica Valencia @ Colgate Country Showdown
Checkout singer Veronica Valencia at the Colgate Country Showdown 2008, If you didnt hear of her before, check her out on YouTube or MySpace, she has cover videos on YouTube and she is BRILLANT!
Solange: I Do Have an Apology to Make
Here is what Solange Knowles says in her latest MySpace blog:
It is not my job to make u like me.
You see, my occupation is an ART-ist.
It is not my job to rub your back, kiss your backside or keep my mouth shut.
It is not my job to make u like how I look – that's called a model.
It is not my job to sell you on my "personality" or "like-ability"
It is my job to share with you my music and my music alone.
If you're looking to listen to a musician's music based on interviews and photos,
then spending two years of pouring my existence into a record
will give YOU no fulfillment. (I recommend Disney.com ..... its a
fave of my 3 year old son)
At first I was going to speak my piece, let it die and move on, but
after FOX continued to drag this incident out over and over (Oddly
you cant remember my name, but MY incident sure is helping you get national news..... read YOUR headline
http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/17325325/index.html
You should be proud that this is what you needed to get your shine on, lol)
It has now became a matter of honesty for me. I needed to find out for MYSELF, if I should have done things differently.
If its one thing I can apologize for, it is for backing down and giving in.
I told my mgt/ label when we got requests from the Fox News stations,
that I didn't want to be apart of anything related to Fox News because of their history of racial slander.
In the end, I committed anyways.
I apologize for not wanting to be controversial, for being lazy and
not wanting to fight a battle with an army. I apologize for
compromising my morality in the process.
I spent about an hour today looking at You Tube clips for guidance
I looked at Nas's speech in front of Fox's headquarters , I looked at
Kanye's Katrina comments, I looked at my fave Bob Dylan documentary. I
looked at countless Bjork interviews (I also looked at the link
below, an all time fave lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3mJTdGE79I&feature=related
I was completely inspired again to see artists who risk validation
from peoples opinions, for what they truly believe is right.
I tip my hat to you ALL.
(I must admit, it is not sooo much Dylan's voice I love as much as it is his movement)
If I was in corporate America with a position at a large company and someone brought up something completely inappropriate about my family in a board meeting, I would have spoken up and said... "I think that was very unprofessional and please do not bring up my family in this meeting". This is exactly what I said.
Bottom line. Fox is lying and the whole thing was set-up for its on purposes.
Just know that FOX and Tmz are affiliates and you hear the reporter loud and clear say "Are you talking about whats on TMZ"?
If you haven't seen my vlog, before we went on air, I caught the
producers telling the reporter to "Ask her about Jay-z's club getting shut down" Which isn't true ,and that's where my reaction came from.
(It is not my job to dish personal details about my family and its offensive to even ask me in my opinion)
any-who
It is more sad to see my "rant" is more popular on your network's show than the news of The Republican Presidential Nominee's V.P. choice.
oh yeah, I forgot people go to real NEWS stations for NEWS Or is this the state of our people now? More interested in the details of this interview than the Monsoon in India.
I mean, I'm not Surprised when this is coming same network affiliate who called our future first lady, a
"Baby Momma".
God bless America:)
CHANGE 08
New JoJo blog (about T-Pain & new album)
I just posted JoJo's version of T-Pain's song 'Cant believe it' and said i would give you more info on her upcomming album when i know, then i loged into MySpace and there was a new blog from JoJo, about the song & her new album! Here is what she says:
Hey there! How goes thee? Ive been home in MA for a few days and then headed back to LA tomarrow for the BMI Urban Music Awards and to put some extra touches on "All I Want is Everything". Summer has ZOOOMED by! Its so crazy that school is back in session and the seasons are changing. I love watching the leaves turn colors here in New England. If you havent been to Massachusetts yet, its definetly a great place to check out, particularly during the fall.
Anyways, I wanted to address a couple of things quickly. I am a fan of T-Pain's and I love his song "Cant Believe It". Hip-hop artists often put out mixtapes of themselves rapping over hot tracks, and putting their own spin on a successful song. I figured that although I'm an r&b singer( or pop, or whatever you'd like to call it...), why can't I take a track I like and put my own twist on it? I did it out of respect for his artistry and because I like the song, and also because my album is coming out until next year, and honestly I get restless waiting to put out new material. I love being in the studio, im constantly writing, and I wanted to do something Just For Fun. I decided to use the same effect that T-Pain uses on his vocals for my version because I feel it contributes to the vibe of the song as a whole ( I used a program called Antares, or "Autotune"). I do not use this sound on my new album. lol. As I said, im just having fun! Just wanted to clear up some confusion that I had hearing over the past couple of days. As I said, I think T-Pain is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to his new album! Btw, if you havent seen his new video for "Cant Believe It", you have GOT to check it out when you have the chance!!! It is by Syndrome (who did my video for "How To Touch A Girl") and they took it to a WHOLE 'NOTHER LEVEL for this one! You'll love it...
Alright, I've got to get ready to drive some friends to the airport before I make them miss their flight! lolz... and Btw, I have been bumpin' D'Angelo's "The Best So Far" hard in my car lately. I NEEED him to come back out with new material! Check out his version of Prince's "She's Always In My Hair". A-MAY-ZIIIIING. Also, theres an acapella version of "Devil's Pie", so you're able to hear the incredible lyrics even more cleary. D'Angelo is and will always be one of my all time favorite artists. If you're not yet familiar with him, take a listen. :)
Have a great day and make the most of the last few days of summer!
Love&Music,
Ever to excel,
-J
Destiny's Child Groove
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT today announced the development of “Destiny’s Child Groove,” the first mobile dance game featuring the popular R&B songs of multiple Grammy-winning female group Destiny’s Child.
“Destiny’s Child Groove” is a competitive dance game that will feature images of vocalists Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and four songs from the group’s “#1s” album, including “Survivor,” “Bug A Boo,” “Say My Name” and “Lose My Breath.” Synchronizing music, rhythm and gameplay, “Destiny’s Child Groove” will take the form of a back-and-forth dance battle in which users compete against A.I. characters.
“The beautiful thing about this project is that the main people involved in creating it are youthful. The same goes for the artists, many of their fans, as well as our target gamers.” said Shuhei Yamaguchi, Mobile Producer for Square Enix, Inc. “It’s a game for the young, created by the young. I’m confident, this landmark project that expands the casual genre of mobile games, will be a hit.”
The nationwide roll-out of “Destiny’s Child Groove” will begin this winter on most major carriers. Detailed information will be announced at a later date.
JoJo covers Lil Wayne & T-Pain - Cant believe it
Last year she did her own version of Sean Kingston's song 'Beautiful girls' and this year she did her own version of Lil Wayne & T-Pain's song 'Cant believe this'
Alot of people online are saying its better than the original, what do you think?
JoJo should be dropping a new album in the next few months, well keep you updated!
Crazy X-Factor audition
This is really funny! Checkout 'vocal coach' Ariel Burdett... I would not like to be sitting in the judges chairs with her auditioning, espically Cheryl's, she didnt like Cheryl that much!
Leona Lewis radio One interview + premiering new single
Leona Lewis did a interview for Radio One who premiered Bleeding Love the very first time anyone heard it, now Leona premiered her new UK single 'Forgive me' (what was produced by Akon)
Leona also talked about performing at the Olympics with David Beckham and Jimmy Paige.. She also talked a bit about the X-Factor (what she won 2 years ago!) and what Cheryl was like as a judge (Leona likes her, so do we!)
Stand up to cancer
Since the all star charity single featuring Beyonce, Mariah, Leona & Rihanna is flying up the iTunes chart, raising money for 'Stand up to cancer' you can also raise money at Socialvibe, all you do is get a banner like this one above and put it on your website (Myspace,Facebook,Bebo eg.) and everytime a person views your page they (the sponsor you pick to sponsor you) will donate a certain amount to the charity you choose, You can raise money for alot of things like Poverty, Animal cruelty & Peta, Disaster relief, all alot of different health charitys.
You can join by clicking the join now button. Its simple. Your raising money by doing nothing but having a little banner on your page!
AngelicaV1 is on Stickam!
YouTube singing sensation Angelica Vasilcov has now joined Stickam, She will perform songs live on webcam aswell as chat away to her fans!
Checkout if shes online now and if your on Stickam add her as a friend!
http://www.stickam.com/angelicav1
