Producer/Engineer/DJ
Cassidy's appreciation for music was nurtured by his father, a gifted Jazz and Blues keyboardist. He began absorbing his fathers musical expertise at an early age and was a regular contributor in numerous jam sessions via turntables and percussions. His career took off when he began DJing private parties, high school dances and popular Hollywood dance clubs such as Florentine Gardens and Water the Bush. DJ Cass sharpened his skills by collaborating with childhood friends DJ Smiley, DJ Cut Chemist (Jurassic 5), DJ Kilu (Freestyle Fellowship) and DJ Bandit. His love of hip hop helped him survive trying times as an LA teen in the volatile 80s.
DJ Cass joined forces with Freddy Doolittle in 1991, developing the group C.O.P. (Criminals of Persistence). He spread his wings and began producing, exploring a much broader realm of music for that era. C.O.P. eventually became Hazsmat, Hazardous Subject Matter, and in 1994 signed with independent label NAM Records (New African Movement). Hazsmat made an appearance in label mates Mill Town Hustlers album and released, Ain't No Pretty Sight.
In 2000, DJ Cass met producer Rashid Duke, son of keyboardist George Duke, and was introduced to the Jazz-fusion hip hop group Eyedentity. He began DJing for Eyedentity, and they supported his enthusiasm of juxtaposing Jazz into hip hop. DJ Cass was quickly brought into the nucleus of the group and formed a close relationship with producer Krishna Booker, godson of Herbie Hancock and Diana Moreira Booker, lead singer and daughter of famed singer Flora Purim and notorious percussionist Airto Moreira. Eyedentity had a squad of strong musicians and secured gigs in Los Angeles with underground artists including Medusa, Cody Chestnut, SubDivision, La Paz and Kim Hill. DJ Cass toured with them for two years. He also co-produced the album Perpetual Emotions which was signed independently to Blue Melt Records.
DJ Cass has compellingly surpassed shifting times and has been tireless in his commitment to advancing a more positive hip hop movement. He has seamlessly made the technological shift from using hardware, to using high-tech software for top notch production. Never content with status quo, DJ Cass continues to hone his skills and has invested the last few years under the wings of platinum engineer Artwork Jamal of Graphic Sound Arts Studios. He has graduated into the virtual world of production using Pro Tools and has in-depth knowledge of the production and engineering that is essential in todays hip hop movement.
As an intern for Graphic Sound Arts, Cass has developed expertise as a recording engineer. Along with Jazzy D, Styles, Smeek and of course Gangsta Granny, DJ Cass co-produced several West Coast Rydaz Radio shows. He recorded the shows, as well as mixed and mastered them. He also had the honor of mixing and mastering "Jazzy D's Unsigned Hype, Vol. 1" one of the hottest new releases to hit the West Coast this year.
Look for some of DJ Cass' production on the soon to be released albums of Element and Eddie Kane, Jr.DJ CA$$ DJ CA$$
