Cassie, Cassie, Cassie..Where shall we begin on this PYT's lingering "music career?" Being rumored to be with Hip-Hop stars: Ryan Leslie & Diddy who are also respectful label mates, Cassie's career sits upon whether or not she should have even been considered an actual musical talent amongst the rest of the industrial elite. Showing no true signs of being a creative force within her music and hitting notes that any Kindergarden or 1st grader could just by simply humming; Cassie isn't the typical songstress.
Some have come to believe that Miss Ventura was embraced as a "music sensation" simply because of her looks, while others speculate on the "F*cking For Tracks" theory. While both in a sense seem true, whatever the reason one can't help but notice Cassie's..erm.."style." While others seem to credit her as being "unique & original" others who were followrs of R&B / Hip-Hop music before Cassie was even conceived, already have seen someone with pretty much the same style. Who is that some of you newcomers may ask?
None other than actual R&B singer..
AALIYAH.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton (or just Aaliyah) sang her way into hearts worldwide when she broke through the industry with her debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" circa 1994. Being mainly written and produced by the crooner him-self R Kelly; Aaliyah's debut album was certified Gold by the RIAA not even a few months after it's release. Releasing 3 smash hits such as; "Back and Forth, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number and At Your Best (an Isley Brothers classic remake), Aaliyah proved that she was already on her way to becoming the hottest thing to the industry and she wasn't even 16!
Her trademark style consisting of; dark shades, baggy clothes and the Veronica Lake inspired swoop over the left eye (or sometimes she'd switch it up to the right) Aaliyah solidified herself as a true Hip Hop baby when she teamed up with then unknown beat makers; Timabaland and Missy Elliot. Taking a brief time to graduate high school, Aaliyah reappeared on the scene with her 1997 album "One In A Million." Several hits were also released from this one including; If Your Girl Only Knew, One In A Million, Hot Like Fire and The One I Gave My Heart To" Aaliyah became ironically the title of her song (Hot Like Fire). She began appearing in other artists' videos and was immediately signed to Missy Elliot's pre-formed group "Superfriends Clique" along with rapper Magoo, Timbaland and Ginuwine.
But with a blink of an eye all of that was taken away. On August 25, 2001 while shooting the video for her latest single "Rock The Boat" Aaliyah along with other members of her entourage were killed in a fatal plane crash. She was only 22 years old. But eerily enough, 5 years almost to the exact date of Aaliyah's death.. while most music fans were still mourning over the R&B beauty's passing, a new "star" came into place. That "star" was CASSIE.
Releasing her self-titled debut album in August of 2006, Cassie's "signature image" somehow came to be very much similar to the trademark image of Aaliyah's. The swoop over one eye, the smooth and breathy vocals and the overall persona was very reminiscent of Aaliyah's 5 years earlier. Then came the instant comparisons. Was Cassie being molded into the respectful "upgrade" of Aaliyah? Or was she just straight up swagger jacking.
While their are pictures that are very much questionable to whether or not Diddy was behind having her image shaped after Aaliyah's (whom Diddy was also good friends with, for years). There's even a Youtube video that has been posted that shows numerous pictures comparing the two and it's actually kind of interesting.
In some pictures she is standing in the same exact pose, in others her hair is fixed the same (swoop and all) and even interviews where she tries to attain that same mysterious quality about herself that Aaliyah did without effort. There are also other things that point to a swagger jacker but we'll save that for if there's to be a part 2.
But for now.. what do you guys think? Is Cassie's so called "influenced Aaliyah style" kind of ridiculous? Or do you think it's just a homage? Drop a comment and speak your mind..
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