B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story is the third studio album by American rapper Cassidy. It was released on November 6, 2007, by Full Surface Records and J Records. Before its release, XXL Magazine ranked the album the 10th most anticipated album of 2007. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200 with 63,000 copies sold in the first week released.
Background The album was originally titled This Time Around, then it was changed to It Is What It Is and finally to B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.Cassidy Leans On The Lord For 'B.A.R.S.' Cassidy named the album B.A.R.S. after spending 8 months behind bars (in prison). B.A.R.S are also his initials, Barry Adrian Reese [Story]. The album features songs about his accident and his time in jail as well as his relationship with God. He also created a B.A.R.S. Competition Freestyle Battle with finalists, G.O.D. Jewels, 21, of Chicago, IL, Rocky, 17, of Detroit, MI, and Lil' Chugga, 23, of, Columbia, TN on October 10, 2007 live on MTV's Sucker Free.
Production Producer Swizz Beatz handled some of the production on the album. The album was released on Swizz Beatz's Full Surface Records imprint, a subsidiary of J Records. Other producers involved with the project were Neo Da Matrix, Don Cannon, Kanye West, Bink, Hi-Tek, and others.
Swizz Beatz confirmed before the album's release that Sean Garrett would have production credits on this album:
Cassidy himself produced the track "All By Myself" which sampled "Me, Myself & I" by The Dramatics.
Three promotional mixtapes called "The Hustlas Home", "The Hustlas Home Pt.2", and "07-07-07" were released before the CD.Dj Big Mike & Dj Thoro The Hustlas Home (OFFICIAL CASSIDY MIXTAPE!!!) MixTrap - www.mixtrap.comCassidy - 7-7-07 - Free Mixtape @ datpiff.com The album received mixed reviews from critics. AllMusic described it as inconsistent but credited Cassidy's technical skill as a rapper, noting that his battle rap roots were evident throughout the record. RapReviews gave it a score of 6 out of 10, characterizing the album as competent but unfocused, with too many obligatory club tracks diluting the more personal material inspired by his prison experience and car accident. Rolling Stone awarded it three stars, while XXL gave it an XL rating, reflecting the album's stronger reception among hip-hop-specialist publications than mainstream critics.
Features Guest appearances include Swizz Beatz, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Eve, Angie Stone, Larsiny, Mashonda, Mark Morrison, Rell and John Legend.
"Celebrate" featuring John Legend samples jazz singer Nina Simone's version of the song "Strange Fruit."
Track listing #TitleProducer(s)Featured guest(s)Time1"Intro (B.A.R.S. vs. da Hustla)"Avenue & Joe Bravo of The Individuals6:192"My Drink n My 2 Step"Swizz Beatz & Anthem FrostSwizz Beatz3:123"Where My Niggaz At"Neo Da Matrix4:514"I Will Never Tell (Uh Uh)"Lamont "Logic" Coleman & Devon "Gold" Golder4:385"I Pray"Lamont "Logic" Coleman & Devon "Gold" GolderShizlansky from Larsiny4:566"Innocent"Swizz BeatzMark Morrison4:117"Cash Rulez"Hi-TekBone Thugs-n-Harmony & Eve3:538"Leanin' on the Lord"Swizz BeatzAngie Stone5:079"Damn I Miss the Game" BinkRell3:2410"Done 4 Me"Dready3:2911"I Get My Paper"NottzSwizz Beatz4:4012"Take a Trip"Swizz BeatzMashonda3:3313"Celebrate"Kanye West & Devo SpringsteenJohn Legend3:5714"All By Myself"Cassidy5:02
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2007–2008) Peak position
Year-end charts Chart (2008) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 96
References
External links https://www.myspace.com/cassidy https://www.myspace.com/cassidypromotions Cassidy Bars Album Review Cassidy B.A.R.S. Album Review