Casanova (rapper)

Casanova
Casanova in 2016
Casanova in 2016
Background information
Birth nameCaswell Senior
Born (1986-10-27) October 27, 1986 (age 38)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2016–2020
Labels

Caswell Senior (born October 27, 1986), known professionally as Casanova, is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York City. In October 2016, following the local success of his debut single "Don't Run", he signed with Memphis Bleek's Warehouse Music Group. Two years later, he signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation.[1][2][3]

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. He was sentenced to 15 years.

Early life

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Caswell Senior was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.[4] 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.[5][6][7]

Career

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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).[8] Upon its release "Don't Run" received heavy radio play from DJ Self on Power 105.1 in New York City,[9] and later also Power 105.1 and Hot 97 there. In June 2016, Casanova released the official video for "Don't Run".[10] 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.[11] In September 2016, Casanova released the single "Line Me"[12][13] as well as a freestyle to Mobb Deep's "Quiet Storm".[14]

In 2017, Casanova released "Don't Run" Remix featuring Young M.A, Fabolous, Dave East and Don Q.[15][16] He continued to put out music, releasing "The Old 50",[17][18] followed by his mixtape album "Be Safe Tho"[19] featuring Chris Brown and LO on the song "OHB".[20] 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.[21][22] 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.[23][24]

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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.[25][26][27][28] On December 2, 2020, Casanova surrendered to federal authorities.[29][30] On June 27, 2023, he was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison.[31]

Tour

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2x Entertainment

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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 record label 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.[32] In November 2017, Casanova signed Lamont Sincere to 2x Entertainment.[33]

Artists

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  • Casanova
  • Jah Dwella
  • Brash
  • P Racks
  • Lamont Sincere
  • Gallardo
  • Louski
  • Klass Murda

Producers

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  • Lamont Sincere

Discography

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Studio albums

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

EPs

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Year Album Title Album Details
2018 Commissary
  • Released: June 29, 2018
  • Label: 2x Entertainment/Roc Nation
  • Formats: digital download

Singles

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Title Details
"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)[34]
  • 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)[35]
  • 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

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  • "Be Safe Tho" (2017)

Guest appearances

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References

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  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. April 12, 2018.
  3. ^ https://genius.com/amp/a/infographic-the-definitive-roc-a-fella-records-family-tree
  4. ^ "Casanova and Fabolous Salute Their Hometown in "So Brooklyn" Video". complex.com.
  5. ^ "A$AP Rocky Fought For His Life At Rikers Island". hotnewhiphop.com. January 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "Casanova Tells The Story Of A$AP Rocky Having To Fight While Locked Up at Rikers Island". AllHipHop. March 20, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Don't Run – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "Brooklyn's Casanova Drops "Don't Run"". HipHopOnDeck. April 12, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  10. ^ "Buzzing Brooklyn Rapper Casanova Says "Don't Run" In New Video". AllHipHop. June 10, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Line Me – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  13. ^ "New Music: Casanova – Line Me". Rap Radar. September 22, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  14. ^ "New Video: Casanova "Quiet Storm (Freestyle)"". Rap Radar. September 13, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "Casanova – The Old 50". YouTube. August 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  18. ^ Braboy, Mark (August 2, 2017). "Casanova Channels The Gangsta Spirit Of 'The Old 50' In His Menacing New Video". Vibe. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  19. ^ "Dear Beloved: Casanova Warns Us To 'Be Safe Tho' On New Mixtape". Vibe. March 17, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  20. ^ Little, Cordell (March 17, 2017). "STREAM: Casanova – 'Be Safe Tho'". Def Pen. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "Chris Brown Brought The Party To Barclays With Casanova, Fabolous, & O.T. Genesis". The Source. April 25, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  23. ^ "Casanova Drops 'Commissary' EP Featuring G-Eazy, Rich The Kid and More". XXL Magazine. June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "Casanova on His New EP 'Commissary,' How Prison Molded Him & Squashing His Beef With 6ix9ine". Billboard. June 28, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Rapper Casanova wanted by FBI; another alleged gang member charged with teen's death in NY". WPIX. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  26. ^ Bloom, Madison (December 1, 2020). "Casanova Facing Federal Racketeering Charges". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ Woods, Aleia (December 1, 2020). "Casanova Wanted by FBI, Charged With Racketeering and More". XXL Mag. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  29. ^ "Casanova Surrenders to Authorities After Racketeering Indictment". Complex. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  30. ^ Annese, Rocco Parascandola, John (December 2, 2020). "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)
  31. ^ Callas, Brad. "Casanova Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison for Racketeering and Narcotics Charges". Complex. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  32. ^ "Casanova and Memphis Bleek visit 'The Breakfast Club". Revolt. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  33. ^ "Lamont Sincere is now under Casanova's 2x Entertainment". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  34. ^ Wza, Tat (October 27, 2017). "New Music: Casanova Ft. Chris Brown & Fabolous – Left Right [Audio]". Hot 97. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  35. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (January 22, 2019). "The Ones: Casanova's "2AM" [ft. Tory Lanez and Davido]". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  36. ^ "Maino Ft. Phresher, Lola Brooke & Casanova – Doing Well". InFlexWeTrust. February 13, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  37. ^ "New Music: Papoose Ft. Casanova "Shooter"". InFlexWeTrust. July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  38. ^ "Premiere: DJ Premier and Casanova Need to Know "Wut U Said?"". Complex. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
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