The 2022 NAACP Image Awards close Black History Month, a month that celebrates black contributions to society. Following the 53rd NAACP Image Awards, the celebrations will continue with DJ Cassidy’s special Reggae edition of Pass the Mic . The special DJ Cassidy’s “Pass The Mic”:
BET Afterparty 2022, brings together Reggae, dancehall and international icons to celebrate Reggae’s influence on hip hop and global culture.
DJ Cassidy spoke with The Source about the show’s lineup, which includes such artists as Shaggy and Maxi Priest, Super Cat, Barrington Levity, Ini Kamoze Sister Nancy, Junior Reid, Patra and many others.
His past experience as a DJ, the immense success of Pass the Mic and his passion for many musical genres were the inspiration for the show.
He talks about how the overwhelming emotional response to July 2020’s Pass The Mic inspired him to keep going and to start imagining new installments.
He explains, “Looking back, it is clear that each vision was a derivative from my old record crates that were carried to every deejay gig around world.” Before technology revolutionized the music industry, I used to load six to eight hundred-pound steel cases that held approximately 100 records into every taxi in New York City and on every plane. Each crate was tagged with a specific genre or era. Since the beginning of my Pass The Mic journey I had a dream about a Reggae Edition, which would be a manifestation of that highly sought-after Reggae record box crate. Growing up in New York City, Reggae was second nature to me as a hip-hop child. Hip-hop stars were also dancehall stars.”
He describes how he started to conceptualize this edition. “I wanted to represent those legendary dancehall records that played an important role in that crate and in my repertoire as well as in my life.”
He emphasizes that he wanted to show the diverse aspects of Reggae music without being bound by any era, year or decade. Some songs dominated the Hip-Hop airwaves on radio stations such as Hot 97 in 1990s while others topped Billboard Pop Charts by 1980s. Some songs were merged with R&B, and some are still the most popular. Each of these records have changed the game.
Cassidy says that the show will feature many of the Pass the Mic trademark staples. However, Cassidy also points out that viewers are in for an extra treat with some of its special differences.
He explains that this show features 16 iconic records, which is more than any other show. There were so many songs that I wanted to highlight. This edition takes Pass The Mic to new heights.
Cassidy has also partnered up with major industry figures to help make the show a success. Cassidy has partnered with Jesse Collins, a superstar television producer and legend in music, Steve Rifkind, who founded Loud and SRC Records. She also teamed up with Sharon Burke, a Reggae renaissance lady, and her team of Judth and Debrina. Sharon has been a promoter, producer, and manager for many iconic Reggae moments across a number of decades. Cassidy says, “I knew with her beside me, we would create something truly unique that would go down as music history.”
Cassidy doesn’t plan to limit his Pass the Mic experience in the west hemisphere. This is especially true since over the course of eight editions, one his trademark catchphrases has been, “passing mic all over the globe.”
“Through Pass The Mic I have always tried to build bridges between the two genres and artists through my efforts. He says that he has never seen this performance fulfill his mission more than this one.
He says, “I was overwhelmed by the global impact of classic hip-hop music and R&B after witnessing the huge response Pass the Mic: Volume One received and Pass The Mic Volume Two received.” I wanted the series to be able to connect musicians on an international scale, and this special is the best example of that goal. As Pass The Mic grows on TV, on stage and beyond, I intend to continue that mission. As Afrobeat’s cultural influence continues its explosive growth, I would love the opportunity to pass the mic on to those icons that have shaped their global impact. I was able to pass the mic to Ozuna, Luis Fonsi, and Luis Fonsi during President Biden’s televised Inauguration. They had two records that dominated the global music charts: “Taki Taki” and “Despacito.” Sergio Mendes, one of my musical idols, would be a great honor to me.
He concluded by saying, “At the end of the day no matter the genre or age of music, every installment of Pass The Mic celebrates and connects with the greatest artists and greatest song of all time in an intimate way than ever before.”
