Cassie Ventura was discovered by P. Diddy after he heard her song “Me and You” playing in the club. The catchy anthem had gained notoriety after being shared on Myspace. Cassie, recorded the tune for fun along with four other songs, then a demo; a process which she called “organic.” Her self-titled debut album was released in 2006 and sold 321,000 copies and over one million digital downloads!
Since then Cassie has taken on acting roles that require her to show off her dancing skills (“Step Up 2: The Streets”), and has been working on her sophomore album King Of Hearts; which is set for a May release.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been out, so its exciting for me to start all over and really have this new baby for myself, kind of, in a way [Laughs] it is a baby at the end of the day,” said Cassie, during our 15 minute interview.
“I’ve been working with a lot of big people on the album. Kanye is also doing a remix to King of hearts. Jean Baptiste. And some newer people, who will get their shine when the music comes out. I’m really really proud of it.”
What different approach did you take with this album?
The first time I came out, I didn’t know anything about the music industry to be completely honest. It was a record that was bigger than me and I just had to seize the opportunity. At that point we kinda had to put out an album. I was part of the creative process but it was kind of rushed. This time I got to take my time and everything you hear on the album is coming from me, which is different, a lot different.
What made you decide to go from modeling to singing?
It was kind of an organic thing. I met Ryan [Leslie] and we recorded like 5 records and it was just for fun. Then it turned into ‘Let’s make some demos, you know put some music out’ put it on Myspace. And it went from there, it was really really organic.
How did you wind up meeting with Diddy?
Through Ryan [Leslie]. He heard “Me and You” in the club and he was trying to find out who the artist was. A lot of people heard the song before they saw my face.
So “Me and You” was being played before you signed to Bad Boy?
Yes it was. I made a Myspace November, 2005 and that’s when I originally put “Me and You” out. It had finally ran its course where it was on everyone’s page.
What was the first thing Diddy taught you and told you when you signed with him?
He always gives great advice. In the beginning with the first album, everything was moving so quickly and I was moving around so quickly and bouncing from country to country, I never had the opportunity to really talk to him. We just signed and got on the road. Up to now, when we have conversations about the past three-four years and how I automatically changed and everything, he would say patience is what helps you. If you really take your time and wait and work hard and observe and learn, just take your time at the end of the day it will all work out, cause your time will come.
Who is your favorite Bad Boy artist or act?
Total.
How can one be the king of your heart?
If he listens to my records all day [laughs]. Definitely a guy that has a great sense of humor and someone I can just have a good time with. I’m 25, I just want to have fun at this point.
Who are your top 3 artists in the game right now?
I definitely have to give props to Nicki Minaj, she’s really come a long way. Nicki Minaj, Adele and Gaultier. She is really amazing. The only reason I know about him is because I caught on late, he has like 90 million hits on his Youtube on his songs, someone i used to know. He sounds a little bit like Sting.
Who would you want to work with?
Janet Jackson.
What would a Janet Jackson Cassie collaboration sound like?
I don’t know but I am ready to hear it. I think it would be amazing. It would be like the Britney to Madonna.
Do you care to dispel the rumors that you and Diddy are messing around?
I don’t talk about my personal life. Whatever people want to choose to believe or not believe is really up to them.
What is your favorite song on the album?
Its a record called “End of the line.” Its about running a race of being in a relationship and just being at the end of the line, the relationship has run it course.
Since then Cassie has taken on acting roles that require her to show off her dancing skills (“Step Up 2: The Streets”), and has been working on her sophomore album King Of Hearts; which is set for a May release.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been out, so its exciting for me to start all over and really have this new baby for myself, kind of, in a way [Laughs] it is a baby at the end of the day,” said Cassie, during our 15 minute interview.
“I’ve been working with a lot of big people on the album. Kanye is also doing a remix to King of hearts. Jean Baptiste. And some newer people, who will get their shine when the music comes out. I’m really really proud of it.”
What different approach did you take with this album?
The first time I came out, I didn’t know anything about the music industry to be completely honest. It was a record that was bigger than me and I just had to seize the opportunity. At that point we kinda had to put out an album. I was part of the creative process but it was kind of rushed. This time I got to take my time and everything you hear on the album is coming from me, which is different, a lot different.
What made you decide to go from modeling to singing?
It was kind of an organic thing. I met Ryan [Leslie] and we recorded like 5 records and it was just for fun. Then it turned into ‘Let’s make some demos, you know put some music out’ put it on Myspace. And it went from there, it was really really organic.
How did you wind up meeting with Diddy?
Through Ryan [Leslie]. He heard “Me and You” in the club and he was trying to find out who the artist was. A lot of people heard the song before they saw my face.
So “Me and You” was being played before you signed to Bad Boy?
Yes it was. I made a Myspace November, 2005 and that’s when I originally put “Me and You” out. It had finally ran its course where it was on everyone’s page.
What was the first thing Diddy taught you and told you when you signed with him?
He always gives great advice. In the beginning with the first album, everything was moving so quickly and I was moving around so quickly and bouncing from country to country, I never had the opportunity to really talk to him. We just signed and got on the road. Up to now, when we have conversations about the past three-four years and how I automatically changed and everything, he would say patience is what helps you. If you really take your time and wait and work hard and observe and learn, just take your time at the end of the day it will all work out, cause your time will come.
Who is your favorite Bad Boy artist or act?
Total.
How can one be the king of your heart?
If he listens to my records all day [laughs]. Definitely a guy that has a great sense of humor and someone I can just have a good time with. I’m 25, I just want to have fun at this point.
Who are your top 3 artists in the game right now?
I definitely have to give props to Nicki Minaj, she’s really come a long way. Nicki Minaj, Adele and Gaultier. She is really amazing. The only reason I know about him is because I caught on late, he has like 90 million hits on his Youtube on his songs, someone i used to know. He sounds a little bit like Sting.
Who would you want to work with?
Janet Jackson.
What would a Janet Jackson Cassie collaboration sound like?
I don’t know but I am ready to hear it. I think it would be amazing. It would be like the Britney to Madonna.
Do you care to dispel the rumors that you and Diddy are messing around?
I don’t talk about my personal life. Whatever people want to choose to believe or not believe is really up to them.
What is your favorite song on the album?
Its a record called “End of the line.” Its about running a race of being in a relationship and just being at the end of the line, the relationship has run it course.