Review: 3 out of 5

Best Song: Celebrate

Cassidy’s third album B.A.R.S. or The Barry Adrian Reese Story brings the once battle rapper to new heights. In fact, his album is more Kanye West than 50 Cent. There’s only one gun-toting track to boot while the rest of the LP is a reflective of Cassidy’s last year from almost dying in a car crash (didn’t this happen to Kanye?) and being acquitted of involuntary manslaughter (didn’t this happen to Snoop?). Adding to Cassidy’s return is the fact we haven’t heard much from him musically since 2005’s I’m A Hustla, which incidentally was the first record to be certified platinum as a ringtone. Anyway check the breakdown.

1. Intro (B.A.R.S. vs. Da Hustla) (Produced by The Individualz)
This intro is Cass battling himself as “BARS” and “Da Hustla”, basically a “battle” to contrast the growth from his last album till now. Also since being a hustler is no longer in, and being real is in, Cassidy has to dispel his hustler image as much as possible. This intro is also in the same vein of his last album’s intro “Problem vs. The Hustler” which turned Cassidy from the battle rapper into a hustler.

2. My Drink N My 2 Step (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
You already know this song and if your like me this song has likely grown on you. Turning a otherwise “party song lead off single” into a celebratory song seems like the cool thing to do for 2007 (i.e. Kanye’s “Good Life” and Jay-Z’s “Roc Boys”). This could probably relive the ringtone glory of “Im A Hustla”.

3. Where My Niggas At (Produced by Neo Da Matrix)
This sounds like it could have been on an early Ruff Ryderz compilation album. It’s the only song where Cass spits that gun talk, but its cool because he does it in a cleaver way -too many hot lines in this one – and maybe some shots at Lil’ Wayne?
Best Line: Don’t get me wrong I put songs that was conscious out, but I still grab the Thompson and blow your conscious out. [sidebar: what conscious song did dude put out?]

4. I Will Never Tell (Uh Uh) feat. Larsiny (Produced by Nottz)
The “Stop Snitchen” policy in full effect here. Better not go on 60 Minutes Cass.

5. I Pray feat. Shiz Lansky (Produced by Bink)
Aside from a beat that sounds like it would be better suited for a Snoop Dogg remix to “Beautiful Girls”, the track provides a look into just how religious Cassidy has become. He states, “We pray everyday” which I don’t believe, but whatever.

6. Innocent feat. Mark Morrison (Produced by The Individualz & Swizz Beatz)
Yes, that Mark Morrison from ’95’s smash “Return of the Mack”. How they linked up here is anyone’s guess, but likely because Mark has a rap sheet longer than most rappers and is a R&B singer. I can picture O.J. singing this joint.
Best line: Rest in peace to Desmond Hawkins and I want to apologize to his family.

7. Cash Rules feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Eve (Produced by Hi-Tek)
A classic Ruff Ryderz posse track with Bone Thugs and Eve. It’s sorta like Wu-Tang meets the Biggie/Bone Thugs collabo meets the Dirty Dirty. [sidebar: This kid actually had the nerve to tell me the phrase "Cash Rules Everything Around Me" is from Akon]

8. Leanin On The Lord feat. Angie Stone (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
A vivid story track displaying three narratives, reminds me of Joe Budden’s “Three Sides to a Story” except not as well connected and detailed. But Cass is really into Jesus since the accident.

9. Damn I Miss the Game feat. Rell (Produced by Neo Da Matrix)
Whoa Rell out of nowhere. This album is like the “Where Are They Now” with the guest appearances. This is my joint. I usually hate these bitter “remember back in the day” joints (except Biggies), but this beat is actually melodic and Cass is speaking the truth here, even accepting partial responsibility for the state of the game.

10. Done 4 For Me (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
Yes, its confirmed Cass is a born-again. No more bullshitting around, a song straight up dedicated to God. Oh yeah, more “praying everyday” from Cassidy. This is probably the best song on the album in terms of its honesty and the things Cass is saying that you wouldn’t expect him to say.
Best line: “When I spend time with my son, that’s keeping it gangster”.

11. I Get My Paper feat. Swizz Beatz (Produced by Nottz)
Song about God *check*. Now back to making money and having guns that a “lay down” a tyrannosaurs. (But Cass hmmmm Dinosaurs are extinct). Hardest joint on the disc, good to bump in the whip when you on some shit.
Best line: “Niggas not tryen’ get waves, when they rocking a stocking cap”.

12. Take a Trip feat. Mashonda (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
What’s a Cassidy album without a Mashonda appearance, Swizzy gotta give his wife leeway to get her own cheque too. This is the “girl song” in case you weren’t aware (see Hotel and BellyButton for examples). This will probably be the next single if Cass’ first week sales don’t look so hot.

13. Celebrate feat. John Legend (Produced by Kanye West)
Well Kanye not only gave his best beats to Common, but also Cassidy. A smooth record for Cassidy to get his conscious side on too, this Cass is much better than then the shoot em up bang bang Cassidy.
Best Line: “My old style died and went to punchline heaven”.

14. All By Myself (Produced by Cassidy)
Wow. Cassidy looped a soul record and added drums. The self-produced joint closes of the album touching on the theme of individual responsibility and Cassidy’s new best friend Jesus. This joint actually works as a decent closer, nothing epic, but this is Cassidy after all.