Cassie

Cassie, born Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, is an American singer, songwriter, model and actress who emerged in the mid-2000s as one of R&B's most distinctive new voices. Discovered by producer Ryan Leslie and later signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records, she broke through in 2006 with her self-titled debut album, led by the breakout single «Me & U», whose minimalist, electro-tinged production helped define a new sound in mainstream R&B and influenced a generation of pop and R&B acts.

Despite the commercial success of her debut, Cassie's career took an unconventional path: a long-delayed sophomore album never materialized in full, and she instead built a cult following through standalone singles and her 2013 mixtape RockaByeBaby, which was praised for its atmospheric, moody take on R&B. Songs like «Paradise», «Long Way 2 Go» and «Numb» showcased her breathy vocal style and affinity for hazy, synth-driven production.

Beyond music, Cassie became known as a style icon, notably popularizing the half-shaved hairstyle trend among women, and built a modeling and acting career, including a role in Step Up 2: The Streets. In 2019 she launched her own imprint, Ventura Music, continuing to release new material on her own terms.