Now that the GMAT is over, I finally have time to rant about analyze music videos again. It takes a lot of time to properly put a video in its place, believe me. Today I'll discuss Cassie's new joint Official Girl, featuring Lil Wayne, which premiered last week on FNMTV. As you may know, Cassie is a model who got a record deal with Bad Boy after catching the eye of producer Ryan Leslie, or something like that. I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. Anyway, after a year or so hiatus she's back on the block. I'll address both the track and the video.
The Track: The beat is courtesy of Danja and smacks of his mentor Timbaland - that is definitely a good thing. The song is basically Cassie saying 'i don't want to be a jumpoff, I want to be your girl for reals,' but it's insincere and pushy. If she's so tired, why doesn't she just leave? Even Keri Hilson (who belongs to the production team that wrote the song) knows the energy isn't worth it.
It is by 'label magic' alone that the super busy Lil Wayne found time to record a verse. It's not like he even needs the cash right now. (This has seriously been the year of Weezy F Baby) Sadly, if there was any chance of this song being salvageable, the vocoder towards the end crushes it like a boulder.
The Video: After about 20 seconds you will inevitably make the Aaliyah connection. I mean come on,The bikini top with the hair and the jacket and the black pants, who are you trying to fool Cassie? This isn't an homage - it's cheap imitation. The director, Chris Robinson has actually worked with Aaliyah before, so I'm a little surprised. Additionally, Cassie says in an interview "I've never seen myself dance like this before." What I infer from this is that you really stepped up your dancing game.
But I call bullshit. I've seen your other videos, so I have a good baseline. Dancing wise, the video doesn't bring anything new to the table. It's the same old moves from the same old Aaliyah videos of yore. If this is a 'new level' for you, I'm surprised Diddy didn't bounce your ass like he did half the girls from Making The Band 3! Lastly, the white bikini. Totally gratuitous! It comes out of nowhere and has no relevance to the rest of the video. You aren't near a pool, the beach, or even outside.
The Bottomline: Hear me out Cassie. You are a beautiful girl - but if you want to stay in the game, you need to learn to sing, act, or at least dance. They call you a 'triple threat' in Step Up 2 - but where is the supporting evidence?
last thing, take some tips from Mya. She comes in and out every few years - but she has style, moves, a voice, and she can get whoever she wants for guest spots - including Weezy.
She does come off like a wannabe Aaliyah... except Aaliyah never allowed herself to look so trashy.
msjean75 - thank you! I knew I wasn't the only one!
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FIRST OFF CONGRATS TO CASSIE ON BEING ONE OF THE FEW GOOD LOOKING FEMALES TO MAKE IT OUT OF NEW LONDON CT(B/C THERE AREN'T THAT MANY). WITH THAT SAID, I TOTALLY AGREE - THE SONG AND VIDEO ARE GARBAGE. LIL WAYNE CAN'T SAVE THE SONG. LET AALIYAH R.I.P AND STOP BITIN. LIL WAYNE'S MACHINE VOICE IS ALSO GETTING A LIL OVERUSED TO THE POINT WHERE ITS KIND OF ANNOYING. I THINK CASSIE NEEDS TO GIVE IT UP AND FIND A NEW CAREER....LIKE PORN!!!
kangolNY - PREACH!
I agree. I think Cassie is beautiful[no homo], but as far as being in the MUSIC INDUSTRY she has no career longevity. Her bio on wikipedia says she was a singer for her high school musical. Well if she was that great, what happened to her voice in her songs? Really the only song I like from Miss Cassie is Me&U, that wasn't just a club banger..it was a HIT. If she made more songs where u can ACTUALLY HEAR her voice and NOT just loud bangin beats overshadowing "whispers" which is identified as her singing, then I bet she'd be more explosive in the music industry. Vocally her voice to me sounds hoarse, like she's had a cold for a week or two and tried to make a comeback after she "got over it." And YES it IS TRUE. I watched the video and seen the Aaliyah vibe written all over "Official Girl." And you're right; WHAT DOES THE BIKINI HAVE TO DO WITH BEING SOMEBODY'S OFFICIAL GIRL? And in the beginning; she had those cheeky panties on showing part of her rear end to everyone who would be watching it. That was uncalled for for a video. And what made it a little more ironic was while she was singing I noticed the "hardness" she tried to pull off with the little hand movements and body movement while dropping her "verses." No, I don't think Lil Wayne could've saved it. I honestly would not have watched the video if Lil Wayne HADN'T had been in it. And yes I admit his "machine" voice does sound a little annoying at times. He kind of does take advantage of using that device, and sometimes I find my head hurting after listening to his albums. Another thing; NOT ONLY is she stealing Babygirl a.k.a Aaliyah's image; she's almost "cloning" her pictures as well! Take Cassie's poster from her first album [her self titled] and look at it. Then go online or if u have some of ur own, grab some Aaliyah pictures and hold them up and compare. From the shades to the heart-oval shaped lips to the make up and hair do it's got AALIYAH'S NAME PRINTED FROM THE TOP TO BOTTOM ON THE PICTURES. I seen Cassie's pictures on google and seen Aaliyah's and she got WAY TOO COMFORTABLE IN HER "AALIYAH LOOK." And it angered me a bit. Aaliyah is a ONE IN A MILLION. Why would u wanna jack their style and swag? Especially taking into consideration everything Aaliyah did. From 1994-2001, Aaliyah gave us her all, and that's why she was so well respected, adored, and loved by her many friends, her family and her fans who the majority are STILL MAJOR AALIYAH SUPPORTERS. ME BEING ONE OF THEM. I think Cassie has a natural knack for modeling, because she knows how to angle her self better for pictures. But adding dance moves to a song that hasn't even gotten a professional amount of promotion from Diddy, her self, or radio stations is a little absurd. I think she needs to find a new hobby. Cause singing and dancing are NOT one of them. Leave Aaliyah alone, all these Aaliyah/Ciara, Aaliyah/Cassie rumors probably have babygirl turning upside down and sideways in her resting place. And it's sad. R.I.P BABYGIRL! 1979-2001
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Lil Babygirl - that is a mouthful - but I will cosign all of it. (love the dipset ref!)
lol sorry Neal. But hey, if you really read that, you will know EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT..Hey my nickname ain't "MISS CONFIDENT" for nothing! lol, but everything I write is true. And if I got somethin' to say about a certain subject, u better believe I'MMA SPEAK. ALL REAL, ALL FROM THE HEART. NO HOLDING BACK ON ANYTHING I SAY. ALOTTA PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT. BUT YOU KNNOW WHAT I SAY? "SCREW YOU!" LOL.