You don't know how bad I want to put this in my "Just for Laughs" category, but I am intent on being semi-nice today.

Let's start off with a little background. Wikipedia gives the definition of Cassie as: Cassie is the self-titled debut album by American R&B/pop singer Cassie, released by Bad Boy Records in the United States on August 8, 2006 (see 2006 in music). Many of you may remember her from the song "Me & U" that peaked at the number 1 spot on the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and number 3 on the Hot 100. I find it surprising that many people, to this day, absolutely loved that song and don't even know what it's talking about. If you want to know the real meaning behind it, you should be able to do a YouTube search and find the original video for the song. Even though she tried to deny it, all I can say is, for most parents out there, this song is nothing something you want your daughter to be singing about.

Well the reason why I'm even bringing this up is because I find the arrogance of Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Combs or whatever he wants to be called these days, appalling. This guy will never simply admit that he screwed up with signing this girl as a singer to his label and therefore we have to be subjected to this fiasco they call good music. He tells Billboard that people are going to be in for a surprise that is really going to catch people off guard. "There's a huge [cry] out there for a younger Britney Spears, a younger Janet Jackson. Those two great artists have paved the way. She has a single out called 'Official Girl' and Danja produced it, and it is a smash."

I can't totally disagree with the fact that the song isn't a smash (I haven't heard it yet) but I can bet one thing for sure, it's not because of her singing ability. Danja is an awesome producer who is basically poised to be the next Timbaland. He makes some of the best beats out there right now but even his beats can't cover up the fact that Cassie has no musical talent. While you're on YouTube looking for the other video be sure to check out her performance that she did on BET's 106th and park. If you need a good laugh, that will do it for you.

 

This is what Diddy had to say about that performance, "I just don't think she was ready," Diddy says. "I think that we threw her into the spotlight without the artist development -- that goes on with a lot of new artists. We pulled out, we took our time, we developed her for like, a year-and-a-half. People are just going to see her there and be like, 'Wow, she's really cocooned into a butterfly.'"

Last I checked, butterflies were known to be beautiful and not great singers. Clearly she is a model, not a singer. That's why it wasn't surprising in 2006 when an online petition started to go around in an effort to stop her from making music. Drop your ego off Diddy and just admit to the public that because no one with real talent and good sense want to be on your label, you find these kids to take advantage of. Hence the reason why Danity Kane went platinum on their first album and ended up broke.

P.S. if for some odd reason you actually want to go out and buy this CD, it is expected to be released around September.  



Aaron Fields writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are his.