Split Personality

by Cassidy

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	03/16/2004
Label:	J Records / Full Surface/J-Records
UPC:	0828765889629

Tracks

1. My Interpretation
2. Hotel
3. Lipstick
4. Get No Better
5. Make U Scream
6. Tha Problem (Skit)
7. Tha Problem
8. Pop That Cannon
9. Blood Pressure
10. Can I Talk to You
11. Real Talk (Skit)
12. Real Talk
13. Husslin'
14. I'm Hungry
15. Around the World
16. Hotel

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cassidy   Primary Artist
Snoop Dogg   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Styles P   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Jazze Pha   Primary Artist
Mashonda   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
R. Kelly   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guest Artist
Jadakiss   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Trina   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Larry Phillabaum   Bass,Guitar
Rich Keller   Guitar
Donnie Lyle   Guitar
Waah   Vocals
Ina Swimmer   Vocals
Rhodanna Dumaurier   Vocals

Technical Credits

Swizz Beatz   Producer,Executive Producer
Bernard Edwards   Composer
Larry Phillabaum   Mixing,Engineer
Chris Theis   Mixing,Engineer
Galt MacDermot   Composer
Jason Rome   Engineer
Jason Mlodzinski   Engineer
Ian Mereness   Engineer
R. Kelly   Composer
Kasseem Dean   Composer
George Clinton   Composer
J. Brown   Producer
Dana Stinson   Composer
J.C. Phillips   Composer
Nottz   Producer
Glen Marchese   Mixing
Harold Lilly   Composer
Tom Coyne   Mastering
Aisha Williams   Stylist
G. Cooper   Composer
Jonathan Mannion   Photography
Jim Carvana   Engineer
Chris LeBeau   Photo Production
Antonio Serna   Logo,Design
DJ Felli Fel   Producer
Dave Junco   Engineer
Steve Conover   Engineer
Fabienne Glemaud   Stylist