American singer, dancer, actress, and model Cassie (born Casandra Elizabeth Ventura) blended pop, R&B, and hip-hop in a style reminiscent of Rihanna, Aaliyah, and Amerie, with influences as wide-ranging as Christina Aguilera, Nine Inch Nails, Janet Jackson, and Mariah Carey. Raised in a multicultural family with a prep school education, she began modeling as a teenager, which led to her first brush with the music industry when she appeared in Mario's video for "Just a Friend 2002." With the help of producer Rockwilder, she began taking formal voice and modern ballet lessons. A...