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Life and Career

[edit] Early life and education

Cassandra Ventura was born in New London, Connecticut to a Filipino Father and African-Mexican Mother.^{[citation needed]} She attended The Williams School, a preparatory school in New London, Connecticut. She trained as a singer and dancer, and took voice lessons. Cassie began modeling at the age of 14, and by the time she was 16, appeared in print ads for Seventeen and the catalog for popular teen line, Delia's,^[2] represented by Wilhelmina Models.^[3] When she graduated from high school in 2004, she decided to pursue her career in modeling and singing. After high school, Cassie moved to New York City, and continued modeling, as well attending classes at the Broadway Dance Center.

[edit] 2004-2007: Career beginnings and Cassie

Ryan Leslie spotted her at clubs and parties in late 2004 frequently. The two wrote a duet called "Kiss Me", and after recording the track, Leslie played the song for music executive Tommy Mottola. Mottola offered Cassie a management deal, and Leslie signed her to his music-media company, NextSelection. Leslie wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U", in 2005. The song became a club hit in Germany.^[2] During this time, Diddy heard "Me & U" in a club, and Leslie convinced him to partner his Bad Boy Records with Leslie's NextSelection imprint for the release of Cassie's debut album.^[2]

The album, Cassie, was released on August 8, 2006 and sold 321,000 copies in the US. Lead single "Me & U" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, selling more than 1 million digital downloads.^[4] To promote her album, Cassie performed on Total Request Live and 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live. Her performances were described as "rocky" and "less-than-stellar", but Diddy said that it was due to her inexperience.^[5] He said that he would be "with her through her development", and that he has no "question on her ability [to sing]".^[5] Cassie addressed the events on her MySpace page, saying that she is aware that her performances were "pretty bad", and that she was "still getting over stage fright".^[5]

[edit] 2008–present: Electro Love

Cassie at the premiere of Step Up 2: The Streets in 2008.

MTV News reported in June 2007 that contrary to rumors, Cassie had not been dropped from Bad Boy Records after releasing two singles from her self-titled debut album. Diddy said that she was in the studio working with producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams on her second album.^[6] It was reported in 2009 that Cassie was no longer collaborating with Ryan Leslie, who had produced the majority of her debut album.^[7] In April 2009, Cassie revealed that she had shaved all of the hair on the right side of her head.^[8]

On July 22, 2009, Cassie announced that the album's title would be Electro Love.^[9] Three singles have been released from the album; "Official Girl" featuring Lil Wayne in August 2008, "Must Be Love" featuring Diddy in April 2009, and "Lets Get Crazy" featuring Akon in August 2009. All three singles have failed commercially.^[7] The album was delayed several times with Cassie eventually signing a new record deal in the beginning of the year at Interscope Records.^[10] She is featured in a spead in the August/September issue of Bust in which she said a new single will be released in the fall.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Musical style

As an artist, Cassie often voiced that she is musically influenced and inspired by a number of performers. These include Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Nine Inch Nails and Queen of Latin Soul singer La Lupe. She has referred to herself as a "die-hard Janet Jackson fan" and has expressed, "I'd love to emulate Janet's career—totally ... She's incredible, from her moves to her voice."^[11]