Casisdead
Also known asCas, Castro, Castro Saint, C from T
Born (1986-09-22) 22 September 1986
OriginTottenham, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active2005–2007, 2012–present
Labels
  • ImReallyDead
  • XL
  • DeadCorp
Websitehttps://www.casisdead.com

Casisdead (stylised as CASISDEAD), also known as Cas and formerly Castro Saint, is a UK rap and grime MC, songwriter, record producer, music video director and entrepreneur from Tottenham, London.[1] He is of Ghanaian and English (Geordie) descent.[2][3] The artist is signed to XL Recordings, and he owns the independent labels Deadcorp and ImReallyDead.

Casisdead began rapping in 2005 under the name Castro Saint,[2] but retired the moniker in 2007 when he took a five-year hiatus from the music business. When he returned in 2012, he instead adopted the name Casisdead.[4] Since 2012, Cas has worn a mask during all public appearances and videos, stoking speculation over his true identity and intentions in protecting it.[2]

Casisdead's debut album, Famous Last Words, was released on 27 October 2023 via XL Recordings.[5] The album comprises 23 tracks and contains collaborations with Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), Desire, Dora Jar, and Connie Constance.[5]

Famous Last Words debuted at number 7 on the official UK Albums Chart; the album also debuted at number 1 on the official UK Hip Hop & R&B Albums Chart.[6]

Music career

2005–2012: Early years

Casisdead began rapping under the name of Castro Saint in 2005. During this period he penned, produced and released tracks such as "Adolescence", "C from T", and "Drugs." These songs were based on Castro's lived experiences in Tottenham and his gradual immersion into a narcotic-centred lifestyle.[4] During this period he was involved in the grime community, both as a member of a group called Proppa Production and as a recurring guest in work by grime crew In Da Hood.[7] A bootleg collection of Castro's tracks is available on YouTube.[4]

From 2007 to 2012, Cas undertook a hiatus from music for unknown reasons.[7]

In 2012, Casisdead returned to music, using the name Cas before switching again to Casisdead. Casisdead regularly collaborates with a group known as the "Dead Team", including creative director and in-house producer Cyrus (1iMediaGroup); DJ Mystry, the DJ of Cas' live shows; Mr Ghostrain, a photographer and videographer; and several others. In June 2015, Dead Team member Renea "Mello" Campbell-Russell died at the age of 26. In an interview with Loud and Quiet magazine, Cas stated that the pain of Mello's death motivates him and the Dead Team to pursue their artistic vision.[8]

2013: The Number 23 mixtape

In December 2013, Casisdead released The Number 23 mixtape which contains the majority of singles he released in 2012 and 2013.The first music release of his comeback was the rap "T.R.O.N." this was shortly followed by "Leon Best". Casisdead continued to release singles with accompanying self-directed videos throughout 2012 and into 2013.

Casisdead later released these tracks and various remixes as part of the mixtape The Number 23; the mixtape was also thought to contain some material previously intended for the unreleased Commercial album.[4] The songs that comprise his 23 mixtape are in various musical styles such as grime, drum & bass, electro, jazz, soul, and the Bullitt film soundtrack.[4]

For the singles included from the 23 mixtape, Cas worked with several producers such as: Tre Mission ("Play"); Faze Miyake ("Play" remix); MssingNo ("Drugs Don't Work"); Skywlkr ("All Hallows"); and Jme ("Baraka" and "Cheese Slice" remix).

2015–2016: Commercial 2 EP and singles

In September 2015, Cas issued a limited release of the Commercial 2 EP, which was only sold in cassette tape format via his website.[9] Casisdead stated that he chose to release the EP in limited quantities and on cassette, as he felt that this suited the material and would make listeners appreciate it more, as they would have to work harder to get a copy.[8] A digital version of the mixtape was not released.[8] Cas provided a further limited release of the Commercial 2 cassettes on 23 December via his website.[10] The synth-pop production on Commercial 2 is influenced by the music of Gary Numan, Steve Strange, Kavinsky, and Electric Youth.

Casisdead released the single "Simon" in January 2016 with an accompanying video.[11] The video is directed by Cas and styled as an episode of the current affairs programme Panorama. The track is produced by Skywlkr.

Cas delivers the lyrics of "Simon" through the perspective of a long-time drug user Simon, who has lost everything due to his addiction. Simon now "drifts between homelessness, prison and the hospital".[11] The character of Simon the drug addict also appeared in Casisdead's earlier songs. Simon is first mentioned in Castro's 2005 rap "Drugs" and then features in Cas's 2012 rap "Drugs Don't Work". Simon also makes an appearance in the final scene of the "The Grid" music video.

In May 2016, Casisdead released the upbeat single "Before This" with a highly stylised video directed by the rapper set around the domestic theme of grocery shopping and cooking.[12][13] In the video, the couple's shared domesticity contrasts with the lyrics of the song which focus on a light-hearted dalliance.[13]

The track is a collaboration between Cas and Later – a duo comprising London producer Dominik Binegger and Norwegian singer/songwriter Linn Carin Dirdal.[13] The track is laced with an electronic beat reminiscent of 1980s synth-pop (a musical style heavily influencing the Commercial 2 EP[8]).

Casisdead features on two tracks on Giggs album Landlord released on 5 August 2016.[14] Cas raps on "501 Hollow & Heston" and also on "Lyrical Combat". The two rappers first collaborated in November 2015 when Giggs featured on a remix of Casisdead's "What's My Name?"[15] Giggs released "501" as the second single from his album with a video directed by Casisdead featuring the rappers in a car mechanic's workshop.[16]

Cas featured on Tricky's EP Obia released on 30 September 2016: he contributes his lyrics to a reworked version of "Does It" (the single is originally from Tricky's False Idols album).[17]

2023: Famous Last Words

On 27 October 2023, Casisdead released his first studio album, Famous Last Words. Seven of the album's 23 tracks had been previously released as singles.[7] Johnny Jewel and MSM have been identified as the album's primary producers, though a variety of other people have been credited for production on parts of the album, including Stranger Things composer Kyle Dixon.[18] Famous Last Words has been described as "a work of vivid storytelling and dense world-building" that "marr[ies] '80s synth-pop influences with a bleak lyricism".[7][18]

Music videos

Casisdead has directed several of his music videos. The artist has said that he perceives himself to be both, in equal measure, a music video director and rapper.[8] Casisdead is involved in the entire process of making his music videos. Cas starts by developing the video's storyboard; he proceeds to arrange the music video's mise-en-scène – this includes arranging the lighting, props, and set design. Cas directs the music video and is also in charge of the final edit.[8] Casisdead has directed the music videos for: "Cheese Slice"; "All Hallows"; "Charlotte"; "What's My Name?"; "Simon"; "Before This"; "501 Hollow & Heston"; "The XXIII – Weekend"; "The Grid"; and "Matte Grey Wrap".

Cas has stated in an interview that his songs usually originate from a cinematic sequence that emerges in his imagination. Casisdead first selects a suitable instrumental, and then lays down lyrics on the instrumental.[1]

Critical reception

Critical reception for Casisdead's work has been consistently positive. Loud and Quiet complimented his Commercial 2 EP for being fresh.[8]

WordPlay Magazine praised The Number 23 mixtape, stating that they felt that it was "in the top 3 UK releases" for 2013. The magazine also applauded "23" for being "exceptionally intelligent, great delivery and a mastery of story telling."[4]

In May 2015, the UK producer, The Purist, stated in the Passion of the Weiss magazine: "I genuinely rate CAS as the best rapper to ever come out of England. Ever. I rate him that highly. I literally can't speak any higher of his talent. To me, he's a combination of Nas, Big L, Mobb Deep, and Dizzee Rascal."[19]

In December 2015, Mixmag compared the artist favorably to Mike Skinner and Giggs, stating that he was "quite possibly one of the best things to ever happen in British rap music."[20]

During a 2016 interview on US radio, Dizzee Rascal paid tribute to Casisdead, for being the "best lyricist and pristine".[21]

In an interview with Global Rockstar Magazine in March 2016, Tricky lauded Casisdead for his originality stating, "See what Cas does, even if it sold a million records you'd still have to call it underground. Because it's different. And he's not playing by any rules."[22]

During a 2017 interview with the Evening Standard newspaper, ASAP Rocky endorsed Casisdead as his favourite UK rapper, stating: "my favourite of all of them, my favourite UK rapper, [is] CASisDEAD."[23]

Personal life

Casisdead consistently wears a mask in his public appearances. He has described himself as having a variety of motives for doing so, including his creative passions, personal struggles, and his desire to retain his anonymity in a hyper-exposed world.[8]

Casisdead is a supporter of Newcastle United F.C.[3]

Selected discography

Studio albums

  • Famous Last Words (2023)

Mixtapes

  • The Number 23 (2013)

Extended plays

  • Commercial 2 (2015)

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Seein' Double" 2014 Non-album singles
"What's My Name" 2015
"Simon" 2016
"Before This"
(Later x Casisdead)		 Famous Last Words
"The XXIII – Weekend"
(featuring Maso and KingRico)		 Non-album singles
"Too Much Drugs"
(featuring Chase & Status)
"The Grid" 2017
"Danger"
(with Shola Ama)
"The Code"
"Pat Earrings"[24] 2018 Famous Last Words
"Sugar Free"
"Drive You Home"[25] Non-album singles
"Park Assist"
(featuring La Roux)		 2021
"Traction Control" 2022 Famous Last Words
"Matte Grey Wrap" 2023
"Venom"

Guest appearances

List of guest appearances showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"501 Hollow & Heston"
(Giggs featuring Casisdead)		 2016 Landlord
"Lyrical Combat"
(Giggs featuring Casisdead and Dubz)
"Does It"
(Tricky featuring Casisdead)		 Non-album singles
"Do it Again"
(Mineo featuring Casisdead)		 2017

References

  1. 1 2 "casisdead, the mysterious masked rapper emerging from the shadows of British music". i-D. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Pourquoi vous devriez vous intéresser à Casisdead". BBoyKonsian - Webzine - Shop - Boutique - Webradio - Productions - Hip-Hop - Reggae. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Favourite Fives with CASISDEAD". Classic Football Shirts. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "CASisDead : The Number 23". Wordplay Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  5. 1 2 "CASISDEAD announces new album on XL Recordings, 'Famous Last Words': Listen". DJMag.com. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Famous Last Words – Casisdead". Officialcharts.com/albums. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Davies, Sam (26 October 2023). "An extremely rare interview with Casisdead". The Face. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Loud And Quiet 73 (Vol. 3)". Issuu. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Exclusive: CASISDEAD talks 'Commercial 2', releasing his debut album and more". www.sbtv.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  10. ↑ CASISDEAD [@casisdead] (9 December 2015). "Im honoured that you guys are willing to pay so much for a copy of Commercial 2 but stop buyin from these mugs. I've decided to release more" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. 1 2 "CASISDEAD Shares What Could Be His Most Harrowing Video Yet: "Simon"". Complex UK. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  12. ↑ dontfckabout (30 May 2016). "LATER X CASISDEAD – "Before This"". dontfckabout. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 "LATER And CASisDEAD Team Up For The Surprisingly Smooth "Before This" Video". Complex UK. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "Giggs reveals tracklist and features from forthcoming 'LANDLORD' album | RWD". rwdmag.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "CASisDEAD Links Up With Giggs For The Director's Cut Of "What's My Name"". Complex UK. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Giggs & CASIsDEAD cook up a visual for '501 (Hollow & Heston)' | RWD". rwdmag.com. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  17. ↑ "Hear "Does It", a Depraved and Beautiful Song from Tricky and CASISDEAD - Noisey". noisey. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  18. 1 2 Keith, James (30 October 2023). "CASISDEAD Puts Fans Out Of Their Misery With Debut LP 'Famous Last Words'". Complex UK. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "A Pyrex Scholar: An Interview with UK Producer The Purist..." Passion of the Weiss. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "- - Mixmag". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  21. ↑ SwaysUniverse (18 January 2016), Dizzee Rascal on Making Hits & Absolutely Smashes the 5 Fingers of Death, archived from the original on 15 February 2016, retrieved 26 September 2016
  22. ↑ "Tricky in Interview". magazine.globalrockstar.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  23. ↑ MacBain, Hamish (28 September 2017). "Why A$AP Rocky is music's most exciting star". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "Pat Earrings – CASisDEAD Song". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  25. ↑ "Drive You Home – CASisDEAD Song". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
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