RockaByeBaby
RockaByeBaby | ||||
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Mixtape by | ||||
Released | April 11, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012–13 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:17 | |||
Label | Bad Boy | |||
Producer |
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Cassie chronology | ||||
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RockaByeBaby is the first mixtape by American singer Cassie, released on April 11, 2013, by Bad Boy Records. It was her first full-length project released since her self-titled debut studio album Cassie (2006). Following the premiere of the track "King of Hearts" in February 2012, which was initially announced as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album, Cassie announced that she would be releasing a mixtape.[1][2] The mixtape's concept is based on the 1991 film New Jack City.
RockaByeBaby marked Cassie's first body of work to include a diverse roster of collaborators including musical guests
, Matthew "Matty Rich" Testa and Holladay serving as executive producers.RockaByeBaby received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Cassie's vocal performances and complimented its production and the mixtape features, with some calling it "hip-hop's streetest spitters." On April 2, 2013, "Numb" featuring American rapper
Background and development
After being spotted frequently in late 2004 at clubs and parties by music producer Ryan Leslie,[3][4] the two worked together and wrote a duet called "Kiss Me" in 2005 and, after recording the track, Leslie played the song for music executive Tommy Mottola.[3][4] After hearing "Kiss Me," Mottola offered Cassie a management deal, with Leslie also signing her to NextSelection Lifestyle Group, his music-media company he had founded with online marketing partner Rasheed Richmond.[5][6] Leslie then wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U", also in 2005. The song became a successful club song in Germany.[7] During this time, Diddy heard "Me & U," and Leslie convinced him to partner his Bad Boy Records with NextSelection imprint for the release of Cassie's debut album, produced entirely by Leslie.[7]
After signing the record deal in 2006, Cassie released her self-titled debut album Cassie, which was released on August 8, 2006. Its lead single, "Me & U," peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, selling more than 1 million digital downloads.[8] In 2007, Cassie began work on her second studio album, and released a string of singles intended for the project; "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.[9] In December 2009, it was announced that Cassie had signed a new deal with Interscope Records.[10] Cassie then released yet another single from her planned sophomore album, "King of Hearts", in the United States on February 14, 2012, along with the official music video.[11]
Title, concept and artwork
Puff helped me come up with the concept of it being RockaByeBaby being based on New Jack City, like how do we want to make this an idea and a concept without forcing it on people and making it something cheesy.
Composition
Speaking on the mixtape's genre Cassie described, "It's not pop, it's not R&B, it's Cassie."[16] Furthermore, Cassie said, "My goal was to make a tape that you could vibe to and that people could enjoy from the beginning until the end. I want this to be what you listen to when you need to escape."[17] "Paradise" is a "Slow-bubbling minimalist" song[18] and has an "old-school vibe",[19] it features American rapper Wiz Khalifa, is produced by Da Internz[20] and written by James Fauntleroy.[21] "Numb" featuring
"Sound of Love" featuring American singer Jeremih is a "slow jam"[23] that last for a duration of four minutes sixteen seconds. "Sound of Love" was written by The Real Knotch and produced by the latter and Rob Holladay. "Turn Up" features rapperRelease
In July 2012, Cassie announced in a letter to her fans that she has been working simultaneously on her album and a new mixtape entitled "Rock-A-Bye Baby", which will be released on April 11, 2013.[1] The mixtape will be released online through various media outlets.[25]
On March 12, 2013, Cassie revealed a photo via her official Instagram, the photo consisted of Cassie and armed men as well as the mixtape's official release date "April 11, 2013."[26] On March 20, 2013, Cassie released a trailer in support of the mixtape, The clip features footage of a shooting scene from New Jack City, where she got the title from. Cassie is seen walking down a dark road and blows smoke into the camera, while a vehicle drives by.[27] During an interview Cassie described the mixtape and why she released it saying “This mixtape is about more than just music, it’s about the art, the visuals and the people,” continuing to say “I wanted to release RockaByeBaby to show my appreciation to the supporters that have been there from day one and always believed in me and my art.”[17] on April 8, 2013, Cassie held a "listening party" in which fans could meet and greet her.[28][29]
On April 11, 2013, RockaByeBaby was finally released as a free digital download exclusively on online mixtape distribution platform DatPiff.[2] RockaByeBaby has so far been downloaded over 690,000 times and, with over 2.4 million views as well, it's been certified 2× platinum on that website, making it one of their most popular mixtapes ever.[30]
Promotion
On December 17, 2012, a new Cassie song "End Of The Line" surfaced online along with its video, it contained "string-and-piano melody" and was produced by Knotch.[31] On January 24, 2013, Cassie released a remix of Trinidad James single "All Gold Everything" entitled "All Gold, All Girls," featuring American rappers Trina and LoLa Monroe, to announce the upcoming release of the mixtape.[32] Neither of the two latter songs were featured on the mixtape's final track listing.
On March 26, 2013, Cassie released a trailer for "Numb" featuring American rapper Rick Ross, which is featured on the mixtape.[33] The video for the song was released on April 2, 2013, and directed by Alex Nazari. The video depicts Cassie walking down Hollywood Boulevard, on the beach at sunset, and on a dark road at night.[17]
On March 21, 2013, Cassie shot the video in
A behind the scenes video for the song "I Love It," featuring rapper Fabolous, premiered online on May 20, 2013. The music video, directed by Chris Latouche and filmed in an underground club, ended up not getting a release.[40] On September 5, 2013, Cassie released a video for the track "I Know What You Want," directed by Christopher LaTouche and JayOhh. The video depicts Cassie ridding a BMX bike in Rodeo Drive and pouring Ciroc on two men with illustrations by Eric-Shabazz Larkin.[41]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
The 405 | 7.5/10[45] |
The Drop | 8/10[46] |
RockaByeBaby received critical acclaim, with critics commending Cassie's versatility and confidence crafting a cohesive and polished body of work.
Accolades
RockaByeBaby was named mixtape of the week by
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | 0:15 | ||
2. | "Paradise" (featuring Wiz Khalifa) |
| 3:57 | |
3. | "Take Care of Me Baby" (featuring Pusha T) |
|
| 3:05 |
4. | "Addiction" (featuring French Montana) |
|
| 3:38 |
5. | "Numb" (featuring Rick Ross) |
| Track King Cole | 3:58 |
6. | "Sound of Love" (featuring Jeremih) |
|
| 4:16 |
7. | "I Love It" (featuring Fabolous) |
|
| 3:26 |
8. | "RockaByeBaby" |
| 2:30 | |
9. | "I Know What You Want" | Fauntleroy | 2:21 | |
10. | "Turn Up" (featuring Meek Mill) |
| Young Chop | 2:33 |
11. | "Do My Dance" (featuring Too Short) |
| David D.A. Doman | 2:29 |
12. | "Bad Bitches" (featuring Ester Dean) | Ester Dean | Aubry Delaine | 2:55 |
13. | "All My Love" | Felton | Soundz | 1:54 |
Total length: | 37:17 |
- Sample credits
Information adapted from WhoSampled.[24]
- "Paradise" contains a sample of "Bang Bang Bang" by Mindless Behavior.
- "Take Care of Me Baby" contains a sample of "Got One" by 2 Chainz.
- "I Know What You Want" contains a sample of "m.A.A.d city" by Kendrick Lamar.
- "Do My Dance" contains a sample of "Do My Dance" by Tyga featuring 2 Chainz.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of RockaByeBaby.[69]
- BJONES! – producer
- Noel Cadastre – producer
- Cassie – primary artist, executive producer, vocals, styling
- Sean "Diddy" Combs – executive producer
- James Cruz – management
- Da Internz – producer
- Ester Dean – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Aubry Delaine – producer
- David D.A. Doman – producer
- Neil Dominique – A&R, production coordinator
- Fabolous – featured artist, vocals, composer
- James Fauntleroy II – composer
- Steven Gomillion and Dennis Leupold – photography
- Rob Holladay – executive producer, producer
- J-Doe – composer
- Jeremih – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Wiz Khalifa – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Knotch – producer, composer
- Christopher "Video Chris" LaTouche – viral video content
- Los – composer
- Magnificent – producer
- Terrace Martin – producer
- Mike Will Made It – producer
- Meek Mill – featured artist, vocals, composer
- French Montana – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Chaz Morgan – art direction, design
- Deonte Nash – styling
- Pusha T – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Derek Roche – styling
- Rick Ross – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Michaela Shiloh – composer
- Soundz – producer
- Sounwave – producer
- Jasmine Nicole Spence – composer
- THC – producer
- Matthew "Matty Rich" Testa – executive producer, engineer, mixing
- The Fr3shmen – producer
- Too Short – featured artist, vocals, composer
- Young Chop – producer
- Yung Berg – composer
References
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- ^ Ryan Leslie Interview. Randb.about.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
- ^ An Interactive Design Agency Archived 2011-08-03 at the Wayback Machine. NextSelection. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
- ^ AskMen.com. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
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- ^ "Video: Cassie – '#RockaByeBaby' [Trailer]". Rap-Up.com. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
- ^ "Photo by casandrae • Instagram". Instagram.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Courtesy of Sneaker Room (November 1, 2011). "Cassie to appear for listening party, autographs in Jersey City today". NJ.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ "DatPiff :: Newest Free Mixtapes". DatPiff. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
- ^ "Watch Cassie's 'End Of The Line' video". Factmag.com. December 17, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
- ^ "New Music: Cassie f/ Trina & LoLa Monroe – 'All Gold, All Girls'". Rap-Up.com. January 24, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Cassie f/ Rick Ross – 'Numb' [Trailer]". Rap-Up.com. October 18, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
- ^ "Cassie Shoots 'Paradise' Video with Wiz Khalifa". Rap-Up.com. March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
- ^ Rock-a-Bye Baby Plus 6 days ago not yet rated (April 5, 2013). "Cassie | Paradise ft Wiz Khalifa (Trailer) on Vimeo". Vimeo.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)