Casanova (rapper)

Last updated

Casanova
Casanova (August 2016).jpg
Casanova in August 2016
Background information
Birth nameCaswell Senior
Born (1986-10-27) October 27, 1986 (age 37)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2016–2020
Labels

Caswell Senior (born October 27, 1986), known professionally as Casanova, is a Haitian-American rapper. In 2016, Casanova made his first original song "Don't Run". [1] He is signed to Roc Nation. [2] In 2020, he was indicted on RICO charges alongside 17 others due to various criminal activities which his Bloods gang "Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation," allegedly participated in.

Contents

Early life

Caswell Senior was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. [3] He is of Haitian and Panamanian descent. At age 18, he was imprisoned on Rikers Island, where he formed a close bond with his cellmate, who was later discovered to be rapper ASAP Rocky. [4] [5] [6]

Career

While in a studio with friends in early 2016, Casanova, without previous experience, came up with "Don't Run". The song was produced by U-Dub (of NY Bangers). [7] Upon its release "Don't Run" received heavy radio play from DJ Self on Power 105.1 in New York City, [8] and later also Power 105.1 and Hot 97 there. In June 2016, Casanova released the official video for "Don't Run". [9] Casanova was discovered by Memphis Bleek through his label, Warehouse Music Group, which is under Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation. In October 2016, Casanova officially signed his deal with Warehouse/Roc Nation. [10] In September 2016, Casanova released the single "Line Me" [11] [12] as well as a freestyle to Mobb Deep's "Quiet Storm". [13]

In 2017, Casanova released "Don't Run" Remix featuring Young M.A, Fabolous, Dave East & Don Q. [14] [15] He continued to put out music, releasing "The Old 50", [16] [17] followed by his mixtape album "Be Safe Tho" [18] featuring Chris Brown and LO on the song "OHB". [19] On February 8, 2018, Casanova released "Set Trippin" which addressed his beef with fellow New York artist Tekashi69. He performed on the Party Tour with Chris Brown, 50 Cent, French Montana, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis and Kap G. [20] [21] On June 29, 2018, Casanova released his debut EP Commissary with guest appearances from G-Eazy, Rich the Kid, Snap Dogg, A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Mozzy. [22] [23]

On December 1, 2020, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York Federal Court declared a warrant for the arrest of Casanova who they alleged was a leader within the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang. He was among 18 alleged members of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang charged in connection with various racketeering, murder, narcotics, firearms and fraud offenses, officials said. The Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: "As alleged in the Indictment, members of Gorilla Stone committed terrible acts of violence, trafficked in narcotics, and even engaged in brazen fraud by exploiting benefits programs meant to provide assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic". The FBI apprehended 17 of the gang members, but Casanova was not detained and an arrest warrant was issued for him. [24] [25] [26] [27] On December 2, 2020, Casanova surrendered to federal authorities. [28] [29] On June 27, 2023, he was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison. [30]

Tour

2x Entertainment

2x Entertainment
Founded2016;8 years ago (2016)
FounderCasanova
Distributor(s) Roc Nation
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City, New York

In 2016, Casanova started his own company called 2x Entertainment. On October 20, 2017, 2x Entertainment's partnership with Warehouse Music Group/Roc Nation was publicly announced by Casanova and Memphis Bleek in an interview with The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1. [31] In November 2017, Casanova brought Lamont Sincere to the 2x Entertainment team as an artist. [32]

Artists

Producers

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum TitleAlbum Details
2019Behind These Scars
  • Released: October 11, 2019
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Formats: digital download

EPs

YearAlbum TitleAlbum Details
2018Commissary
  • Released: June 29, 2018
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Formats: digital download

Singles

TitleDetails
"Don't Run"
  • Released: March 30, 2016
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Warehouse/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Line Me"
  • Released: September 15, 2016
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Warehouse/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Don't Run" Remix (feat. Young M.A, Fabolous, Dave East & Don Q)
  • Released: February 1, 2017
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Warehouse/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"The Old 50"
  • Released: May 19, 2017
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Warehouse/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Go Best Friend"
  • Released: September 8, 2017
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Warehouse/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Left, Right" (feat. Chris Brown & Fabolous) [33]
  • Released: October 27, 2017
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Warehouse/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Set Trippin"
  • Released: February 8, 2018
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Go Bestfriend 2.0" (feat. G-Eazy & Rich The Kid)
  • Released: May 24, 2018
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"2AM" (feat. Tory Lanez & Davido) [34]
  • Released: January 18, 2019
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"So Brooklyn" (feat. Fabolous)
  • Released: August 16, 2019
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download
"Coming Home" (feat. Chris Brown)
  • Released: September 5, 2019
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Format: Digital download

Mixtapes

Guest appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juelz Santana</span> American rapper

LaRon Louis James, better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper and member of East Coast hip hop group the Diplomats. He is best known for his appearances on Cam'ron's 2002 singles "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma," which peaked at numbers four and three on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. His guest appearance on Chris Brown's 2005 single, "Run It!" peaked atop the chart for five weeks and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As a lead artist, he is also known for his 2005 single "There It Go ," which peaked at number six on the chart and received platinum certification by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabolous</span> American rapper (born 1977)

John David Jackson, better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label, Desert Storm Records in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He first gained mainstream prominence for his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n ." His second album, Street Dreams (2003) was further commercially oriented and supported by the singles "Can't Let You Go" and "Into You" —both of which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jadakiss</span> American rapper (born 1975)

Jason Terrance Phillips, better known by his stage name Jadakiss, is an American rapper from Yonkers, New York. He began his career in the 1990s and formed the hip hop trio the Lox alongside Styles P and Sheek Louch in 1994. The group signed with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Arista Records to release their debut studio album, Money, Power & Respect (1998); their second album, We Are the Streets (2000) was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records. Both peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200 and yielded critical praise; their two subsequent albums, Filthy America... It's Beautiful (2013) and Living Off Xperience (2020) were both released by Jay-Z's Roc Nation and met with continued praise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roc-A-Fella Records</span> American hip hop record label

Roc-A-Fella Records was an American hip hop record label and music management company founded by record executives and entrepreneurs Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in 1994. Carter issued his debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996) as the label's first release, in a joint venture with Priority Records. The label has signed and released albums for acts including Kanye West, Cam'ron, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Juelz Santana, Freeway, Jadakiss, Teairra Marí, State Property, and The Diplomats before its dissolution in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Bleek</span> American rapper

Malik Deshawn Cox, known by his stage name Memphis Bleek, is an American rapper. He first became known for his affiliation with fellow New York City-based rapper Jay-Z, with Cox often described as his hype man and protégé. Cox signed with his Roc-A-Fella Records label imprint in the late 1990s, through which he has released four major label studio albums: Coming of Age (1999), The Understanding (2000), M.A.D.E. (2003), and 534 (2005). He has since founded his own labels: Get Low Records in 1998, and Warehouse Music Group in 2016—through which he signed rapper Casanova.

Roosevelt Harrell III, known professionally as Bink, is an American hip hop producer from Norfolk, Virginia, who is noted for his work with Roc-A-Fella Records artists. His most high-profile work has been Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint, for which he produced three tracks. He is sometimes credited as Bink! or Bink Dog. In 2011, Bink and American-reggae artist Atiba finished a collaborative album titled Foreigner. A release date for the project has yet to be announced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4 da Fam</span> 1999 single by Amil

"4 da Fam" is a song by American rapper Amil, featuring verses from American rappers Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, and Beanie Sigel. Ty Fyffe produced the song. It was released on Roc-A-Fella as the second single from her debut album All Money Is Legal. In the song's lyrics, Amil boasts about being the best female rapper, and Jay-Z discusses his fears of becoming a father, which his verse suggests he believed was about to occur at the time.

Leonard Carl Grant, better known by his stage name Uncle Murda, is an American rapper from East New York, Brooklyn. He signed to 50 Cent's G-Unit Records in 2016, having been previously signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records in 2007. He is known for his annual retrospective "Rap Up" song series, which lyrically documents major events in hip hop, beginning in 2014.

Roc Nation is an American multi-disciplinary entertainment company founded by rapper Jay-Z in 2008. The company is headquartered in Manhattan in New York City, with additional offices in Los Angeles and London. Roc Nation acts as a record label, artist/athlete management agency, and media production firm, of which also comprises television and film enterprises, a clothing line, as well as educational and philanthropic initiatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omen (record producer)</span> Musical artist

Sidney Brown, better known as Omen is an American record producer from Harlem. He has produced for artists such as Drake, Beyoncé, Action Bronson, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Fabolous, Vado, Memphis Bleek, Redman, Keith Murray, Immortal Technique, and Amil.

This is the discography of rapper Freeway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapsody</span> American rapper from North Carolina

Marlanna Evans, better known by her stage name Rapsody, is an American rapper. After signing with music producer 9th Wonder's music label It's a Wonderful World Music Group, she released a series of mixtapes and collaborated with Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. Soon afterwards Rapsody released her debut album The Idea of Beautiful (2012). She would attain further prominence when she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly, on the track "Complexion ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Guru</span> Musical artist

Gimel Androus Keaton, professionally better known by his pseudonym Young Guru, is an American audio engineer, record producer, disc jockey, and record executive from Wilmington, Delaware. In 2019, Young Guru won a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album for mixing the album Everything Is Love by The Carters. He has worked with many leading recording artists, most notably Jay-Z and Kanye West, and an April 2015 The Wall Street Journal profile called him "the most famous and successful engineer in the history of hip-hop".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vic Mensa</span> American rapper

Victor Kwesi Mensah, known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, he was a member of the regional hip hop groups Kids These Days and Savemoney prior to releasing his debut solo mixtape, Innanetape (2013). As a solo artist, Mensa has been signed to Virgin EMI Records, Def Jam Recordings, Capitol Records, and Roc Nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Shmurda</span> American rapper (born 1994)

Ackquille Jean Pollard, known professionally as Bobby Shmurda, is an American rapper. Along with Rowdy Rebel, Shmurda is considered a pioneer of Brooklyn drill music. He rose to international fame in 2014 when his song "Hot Nigga" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the single led to him signing a deal with Epic Records. His debut EP, Shmurda She Wrote, was released in November 2014.

The Nine Trey Gangster Bloods or Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods (NTG) are a violent set of the United Blood Nation street gang, which is itself a set of the Bloods gang. The gang operates on the East Coast of the United States.

<i>Friday on Elm Street</i> 2017 studio album by Fabolous and Jadakiss

Friday on Elm Street is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Fabolous and Jadakiss. It was released on November 24, 2017, by Street Family Records, Roc Nation, D-Block Records, Def Jam Recordings. The album is preceded by one single, "Stand Up" featuring Future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YFN Lucci</span> American rapper (born 1991)

Rayshawn Lamar Bennett, known professionally as YFN Lucci, is an American rapper and singer from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2014, he signed a record deal with Think It's A Game Entertainment and released his debut mixtape, Wish Me Well in December of that year. His second mixtape, Wish Me Well 2 (2016) marked his first entry on the Billboard 200, and was led by the single "Key to the Streets" —his first Billboard Hot 100 entry. His debut extended play (EP), Long Live Nut (2017) peaked at number 27 on chart and spawned the single "Everyday We Lit", which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamont Sincere</span> American musical artist (born 1989)

Albert Lamont Brown formerly known as Lamont Sincere is an American mixing engineer, singer, songwriter and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. He gained credibility for his single "Huge Flirt" featuring Bagstheboss and collaborated with the Harlem native ASAP Mob member ASAP TyY for "Surrounded by Girls". He is currently under 2x Entertainment, founded by rapper Casanova. He is known for mixing records for Motown Records artist Cam Wallace and featured artist Wiz Khalifa.

The trial of the Nine Trey Gangsters was a criminal case against eleven alleged members and associates of the street gang Nine Trey Gangsters. The case is notable for its inclusion of rapper 6ix9ine, real name Daniel Hernandez, and his associate Kifano "Shotti" Jordan as defendants.

References

  1. "Casanova – Don't Run". The Culture Plug. April 16, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  2. "Casanova Is Apparently Signed To Both Roc Nation & Def Jam". hotnewhiphop.com.
  3. "Casanova and Fabolous Salute Their Hometown in "So Brooklyn" Video". complex.com.
  4. "A$AP Rocky Fought For His Life At Rikers Island". hotnewhiphop.com.
  5. "Casanova Tells The Story Of A$AP Rocky Having To Fight While Locked Up at Rikers Island". AllHipHop . March 20, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  6. Ciofalo, Nick (January 25, 2017). "Casanova Speaks On Taxstone, Being Locked Up With A$AP Rocky, Working With Chris Brown & More". Power 105.1 . Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  7. "Don't Run – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc . Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  8. "Brooklyn's Casanova Drops "Don't Run"". HipHopOnDeck. April 12, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  9. "Buzzing Brooklyn Rapper Casanova Says "Don't Run" In New Video". AllHipHop . June 10, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  10. "Casanova Signs To Roc Nation?; Locked Up W/ Taxstone; Says 'Robbers Are Haters' ; Don't Run (Video) (TI50)". Youtube. October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  11. "Line Me – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc . Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  12. "New Music: Casanova – Line Me". Rap Radar. September 22, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  13. "New Video: Casanova "Quiet Storm (Freestyle)"". Rap Radar . September 13, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  14. Ivey, Justin (February 2, 2017). "Casanova Delivers "Don't Run" Remix Featuring Fabolous, Young M.A, Dave East and Don Q". XXL . Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  15. "Casanova Taps Fabolous, Dave East, Young, YOUNG M.A & Don Q for "Don't Run (Remix)" — An NY Banger!". 2DOPEBOYZ . February 2, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  16. "Casanova – The Old 50". YouTube. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  17. Braboy, Mark (August 2, 2017). "Casanova Channels The Gangsta Spirit Of 'The Old 50' In His Menacing New Video". Vibe . Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  18. "Dear Beloved: Casanova Warns Us To 'Be Safe Tho' On New Mixtape". Vibe . March 17, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  19. Little, Cordell (March 17, 2017). "STREAM: Casanova – 'Be Safe Tho'". Def Pen. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  20. "Chris Brown Announces 'The Party Tour' with 50 Cent, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis, Kap G & Casanova". Rap-Up . February 18, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  21. "Chris Brown Brought The Party To Barclays With Casanova, Fabolous, & O.T. Genesis". The Source . April 25, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  22. "Casanova Drops 'Commissary' EP Featuring G-Eazy, Rich The Kid and More". XXL Magazine . June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  23. "Casanova on His New EP 'Commissary,' How Prison Molded Him & Squashing His Beef With 6ix9ine". Billboard . June 28, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  24. "Rapper Casanova wanted by FBI; another alleged gang member charged with teen's death in NY". WPIX. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  25. Bloom, Madison (December 1, 2020). "Casanova Facing Federal Racketeering Charges". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  26. "18 Members Of The "Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation" Gang Charged With Racketeering, Murder, Narcotics, Firearms, And Fraud Offenses". www.justice.gov. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  27. Woods, Aleia (December 1, 2020). "Casanova Wanted by FBI, Charged With Racketeering and More". XXL Mag. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  28. "Casanova Surrenders to Authorities After Racketeering Indictment". Complex. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  29. Annese, Rocco Parascandola, John. "Rapper Casanova surrenders to authorities after he's indicted in 'Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation' gang takedown". nydailynews.com. Retrieved December 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. Callas, Brad. "Casanova Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison for Racketeering and Narcotics Charges". Complex. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  31. "Casanova and Memphis Bleek visit 'The Breakfast Club". Revolt . Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  32. "Lamont Sincere is now under Casanova's 2x Entertainment". Instagram . Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  33. Wza, Tat (October 27, 2017). "New Music: Casanova Ft. Chris Brown & Fabolous – Left Right [Audio]". Hot 97 . Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  34. Pierre, Alphonse (January 22, 2019). "The Ones: Casanova's "2AM" [ft. Tory Lanez and Davido]". Pitchfork . Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  35. "Maino Ft. Phresher, Lola Brooke & Casanova – Doing Well". InFlexWeTrust. February 13, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  36. "New Music: Papoose Ft. Casanova "Shooter"". InFlexWeTrust. July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  37. "Premiere: DJ Premier and Casanova Need to Know "Wut U Said?"". Complex. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.