Ronnie: Carmelo Anthony Wants To Help Out Pal Cassidy

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Carmelo Anthony Wants To Help Out Pal Cassidy

'He's ready to focus on what he needs to focus on,' NBA superstar tells Mixtape Daily of Cass' post-prison career.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ade Mangum

Carmelo Anthony and Diego Cash
Photo: MTV News

Celebrity Favorites: Carmelo Anthony
NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony has an array of breathtaking moves on the court, but his off-court moves are just as noteworthy. As the head of Krossover Entertainment, Anthony is launching the career of up-and-coming rapper Diego Ca$h as well as helping the already-established Cassidy reinvent his career.

In May, Cassidy was arrested after a warrant was issued stemming from a probation violation. The "I'ma Hustla" rapper, who is now home, explained that the incident all began after he missed an appointment with his P.O., but he's now looking to put the situation behind him. 'Melo is in full support.

"He's good, man. He's home. I'm glad he figured it out, got through that situation," Anthony said, updating Mixtape Daily on his buddy. "I'm glad he got that behind him, and now he's ready to focus on what he needs to focus on — I'm pretty sure getting back into the studio and throwing that under the rug."

Anthony estimates that he and Cassidy met about three years ago, after the New York Knick reached out to the Philly rapper to appear on a Diego Ca$h record. "I tried to get him on a track with one of my artists. He actually did the track, and it just took off from there," 'Melo recalled. "He was available; he was a free agent at the time. He had just came home from jail. He was trying to reinvent himself, and I just thought it was the perfect opportunity at the time to give him new light."

In addition to providing some assistance to Cass, Anthony has been positioning the relatively underground Diego Ca$h as an artist to watch for. Ca$h's latest video, "Return of the Rican," was shot during the 2011 Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City and features hip-hop veteran Fat Joe.

While Carmelo does have quite a few extracurricular activities, his focus is still on the basketball court. Though 'Melo's New York Knicks were swept out of the NBA Playoffs, losing four straight games to the Boston Celtics, Anthony seems focused and ready to continue balling in his hometown after he was traded to NY from Denver in February. "I'm home now; that's the most important thing."

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