Longtime fans of Brooklyn MC Casanova are being treated to new music still. It’s quite the feat for him given his current situation. For those who are out of the loop, the veteran is currently in the midst of serving 15 years plus an additional eight months in prison for racketeering and narcotics charges. When he was handed down his legal punishment, Casanova quickly came to terms with it. “Everything to the chin. Nothing to the heart. I GET IT NOW. I hope that don’t go over ya heads.” It seems that the latter half of that message was really important because I GET IT NOW is the name of his new project.
It’s his third project of his career, and first since 2019’s Behind These Scars. It features a nice cast of characters, including Joey Bada$$, KayCyy, Kevin Ross, and YXNG K.A. It’s 12 tracks and leading up to its release, there were two singles to promote it. “Forgive Me Father,” the now-candid opener got the rollout underway, with “Calm Down” featuring YXNG K.A following behind it. Fun fact: the lead-off track was Casanova’s first solo release in over three years. On this tape, he’s getting a little more personal, does some reflecting, and keeps it real as he usually does. See if he updated his resume in strong fashion by checking out I GET IT NOW, below.
The Brooklyn-emcee Casanova sheds his gritty exterior to reveal the revelations he has reached as a man in his newest album, I Get It Now. The twelve-track album takes listeners through an audio tabernacle that unearths Casanova’s shadow work to become the better man he is today.
Along with the album, Casanova drops the new visual to its leading single, “Forgive Me Father.” The single covers the Brooklyn emcee’s self-awareness and points out some causes of his past songs. The video starts with the past Casanova from 2006 getting ready to commit robberies and the present-day Casanova in a suit walking into a tabernacle at a church.
Throughout the Nimi Hendrix-directed video, there are scenes of the 2006 Casanova with his woman, kid, and Casanova’s mom being happy with each other. But as the video progresses, the 2006 Casanova is seen hiding the money he got from robbing people and a gun in his bed. Then, the video shows Casanova having regrets about some upcoming robberies, with disdain on his mother’s face and concern from his loved ones.
The visual ends with the past Casanova, dressed in all-black robbery clothing with a backpack full of things he stole, meeting with the present-day suit-wearing Casanova at the church before the past Casanova enters the tabernacle. Its closing moments show a news clip of his actual arrest and the mugshot. When the screen fades to black, the words, “People with nothing will help you lose everything. I hope that don’t go over your head.” In the album’s lead single, “Forgive Me Father,” Casanova reflects on his sins while exposing what made him act out in sin. He raps to listeners about losing it all and having to win it back. The hook, “So fuck family and fuck friends,” reflects how the rough history with his relatives and friends affected his ability to give love throughout the song. He asks God, “Who let the Devil in?” to raise self-awareness on what’s affecting his decision-making.
I Get It Now explores other topics from lust in the track “Please,” luxury and wealth in the upbeat club song “Miami” featuring Kevin Ross, and facing resentment he got from the world in “Hate Me.” The opening lyrics of “Hate Me” are on the letter in the cover art. Regardless of the resentment and nightmares he experienced, Casanova finds a way to still keep his head above water and provide for his family. I Get It Now contains additional features from YXNG K.A., Joey Bada$$, and KayCyy.
Casanova is looking to receive a prison reduction. In new court docs, Casanova cites “extraordinary acceptance of responsibility” in association with his role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang court case.
According to AllHipHop, Casanova thinks his actions during an altercation at a New York diner did not equate to a “robbery” in New York State law. Casanova was one of 18 charged. Casanova faced two counts of felony robbery associated with removing a cell phone from Niya Rucker. Cas and his legal team maintain no robbery accused.
Casanova stated he had no intention of keeping the cell phone, lessening the crime. This follows a report in which he renounced his gang membership in connection to his sentence appeal.
Casanova has also released a new message from jail. Hitting X, the jailed rapper wrote: “I am terrified of how loneliness brings em a twisted kind of comfort.”
I am terrified of how loneliness brings me a twisted kind of comfort.
Casanova is behind bars, serving a 15-year sentence in a court case that labeled the rapper as a “high-profile leader of a vicious street gang.” Slowbucks, who shared a Facetime to his Instagram Stories, is giving an update on Casanova’s condition.
“Don’t believe the hype,” Slowbucks wrote, HipHopDX notes. “My guy in great standards and in great spirits. Free @bigcasanova_2x.”
Casanova has officially been sentenced, and now his legal team has officially filed an appeal. The Brooklyn rapper was viciously slashed across his face right before sentencing and his lawyer feels jail is not safe for him following his denouncement of the Gorilla Stone Nation gang.
According to HotNewHipHop, Casanova’s lawyer James Kousouros, mentioned that his sentence should be reduced because the Brooklyn rapper (real name Caswell Senior) denounced his formal ties to the Gorilla Stone Nation gang.
“The fact is that Mr. Senior stayed in this gang as it furthered his rap career,” Casanova’s lawyers said. “As he gained moderate success and then a recording contract with Roc Nation, he increasingly separated himself from the gang’s activities despite remaining a member.”
Casanova received 188 months or 15 years behind bars on June 27 from U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. The crimes he’s accused of include a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018 and conspiracy to traffic over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
“Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a press release at the time. “At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout.”
He continued: “Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
Casanova was the 12th defendant in the Gorilla Stone case to have been sentenced. Five more defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
After he received the sentence, he took to to Twitter and issued a short message, saying, “Everything to the chin, Nothing to the heart. I GET IT NOW. I hope that don’t go over ya heads.”
Before his sentencing, Cas was assaulted in a bloody prison altercation that took place at Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey, in early June.
Casanova has released a new message from jail. Hitting X, the jailed rapper wrote: “I am terrified of how loneliness brings em a twisted kind of comfort.”
I am terrified of how loneliness brings me a twisted kind of comfort.
Casanova is behind bars, serving a 15-year sentence in a court case that labeled the rapper as a “high-profile leader of a vicious street gang.” Giving an update on Casanova’s condition is Slowbucks, who shared a Facetime to his Instagram Stories.
“Don’t believe the hype,” Slowbucks wrote, HipHopDX notes. “My guy in great standards and in great spirits. Free @bigcasanova_2x.”
Casanova has officially been sentenced and now his legal team has officially filed an appeal. The Brooklyn rapper was viciously slashed across his face right before sentencing and his lawyer feels jail is not safe for him following his denouncement of the Gorilla Stone Nation gang.
According to HotNewHipHop, Casanova’s lawyer James Kousouros mentioned that because the Brooklyn rapper (real name Caswell Senior) denounced his formal ties to the Gorilla Stone Nation gang, his sentence should be reduced.
“The fact is that Mr. Senior stayed in this gang as it furthered his rap career,” Casanova’s lawyers said. “As he gained moderate success and then a recording contract with Roc Nation, he increasingly separated himself from the gang’s activities despite remaining a member.”
Casanova received 188 months or 15 years behind bars on June 27 from U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. Included in the crimes he’s accused of are a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018 and conspiracy to traffic over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
“Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a press release at the time. “At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout.”
He continued: “Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
Casanova was the 12th defendant in the Gorilla Stone case to have been sentenced. Five more defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
After he received the sentence he took to to Twitter and issued a short message, saying, “Everything to the chin, Nothing to the heart. I GET IT NOW. I hope that don’t go over ya heads.”
Prior to his sentencing, Cas was assaulted in a bloody prison altercation that took place at Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey in early June.
Casanova is behind bars, serving a 15-year sentence in a court case that labeled the rapper as a “high-profile leader of a vicious street gang.” Giving an update on Casanova’s condition is Slowbucks, who shared a Facetime to his Instagram Stories.
“Don’t believe the hype,” Slowbucks wrote, HipHopDX notes. “My guy in great standards and in great spirits. Free @bigcasanova_2x.”
Casanova has officially been sentenced and now his legal team has officially filed an appeal. The Brooklyn rapper was viciously slashed across his face right before sentencing and his lawyer feels jail is not safe for him following his denouncement of the Gorilla Stone Nation gang.
According to HotNewHipHop, Casanova’s lawyer James Kousouros mentioned that because the Brooklyn rapper (real name Caswell Senior) denounced his formal ties to the Gorilla Stone Nation gang, his sentence should be reduced.
“The fact is that Mr. Senior stayed in this gang as it furthered his rap career,” Casanova’s lawyers said. “As he gained moderate success and then a recording contract with Roc Nation, he increasingly separated himself from the gang’s activities despite remaining a member.”
Casanova received 188 months or 15 years behind bars on June 27 from U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. Included in the crimes he’s accused of are a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018 and conspiracy to traffic over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
“Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a press release at the time. “At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout.”
He continued: “Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
Casanova was the 12th defendant in the Gorilla Stone case to have been sentenced. Five more defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
After he received the sentence he took to to Twitter and issued a short message, saying, “Everything to the chin, Nothing to the heart. I GET IT NOW. I hope that don’t go over ya heads.”
Prior to his sentencing, Cas was assaulted in a bloody prison altercation that took place at Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey in early June.
Casanova has officially been sentenced and now his legal team has officially filed an appeal. The Brooklyn rapper was viciously slashed across his face right before sentencing and his lawyer feels jail is not safe for him following his denouncement of the Gorilla Stone Nation gang.
According to HotNewHipHop, Casanova’s lawyer James Kousouros mentioned that because the Brooklyn rapper (real name Caswell Senior) denounced his formal ties to the Gorilla Stone Nation gang, his sentence should be reduced.
“The fact is that Mr. Senior stayed in this gang as it furthered his rap career,” Casanova’s lawyers said. “As he gained moderate success and then a recording contract with Roc Nation, he increasingly separated himself from the gang’s activities despite remaining a member.”
Casanova received 188 months or 15 years behind bars on June 27 from U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. Included in the crimes he’s accused of are a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018 and conspiracy to traffic over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
“Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a press release at the time. “At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout.”
He continued: “Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
Casanova was the 12th defendant in the Gorilla Stone case to have been sentenced. Five more defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
After he received the sentence he took to to Twitter and issued a short message, saying, “Everything to the chin, Nothing to the heart. I GET IT NOW. I hope that don’t go over ya heads.”
Prior to his sentencing, Cas was assaulted in a bloody prison altercation that took place at Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey in early June.
In May of 2022, New York rapper Casanova — responsible for viral hits like “So Drippy,” featuring Young Thug and Gunna, as well as “Woah” with Jeremih — pleaded guilty to the charges against him, which included firearm possession, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, racketeering, and attempted murder. It was a rough trip, including being wanted by the FBI and denied $2.5 million bond.
As of Tuesday, June 27, Casanova has received his prison sentence, and it includes 188 months — translating to over 15 years — behind bars, according to a press release from Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence,” Williams said. “At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout. Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that recording artist Caswell Senior, a/k/a “Casanova,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to 188 months in prison for racketeering and narcotics offenses arising out of his leadership role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang (“Gorilla Stone”).
The U.S. attorney’s press release reads:
As part of the racketeering conspiracy, Senior participated in a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, and a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018, and conspired to traffic over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Caswell Senior is not just a notorious recording artist, but he is also a high-profile leader of a vicious street gang and a magnet for gang violence. At a crowded Miami house party, Senior personally fired a gun that seriously injured and could have killed a victim, inciting a shootout. Further, Senior’s stature in the community was central to Gorilla Stone’s successful recruitment and nationwide expansion. Today’s sentencing — along with the other significant sentences that have been imposed in this case — shows once again that gang life is not worth it and will lead to many years in prison.”
According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:
Since at least 2004, Gorilla Stone has been a brutally violent street gang with a national presence that was founded by SENIOR’s co-defendant Dwight Reid, a/k/a “Dick Wolf.” Gorilla Stone has many members across New York State, including throughout New York City, Westchester, and the New York State Prison System, and all over the country — such as in Florida, where SENIOR engaged in substantial criminal conduct. Gorilla Stone is comprised of various sets (or “Caves,” as they are called by gang members). Gorilla Stone is a highly organized and efficient street gang with an organizational commitment to violence that strictly enforces its internal laws.
SENIOR’s Gorilla Stone co-defendants were charged with a host of crimes committed in furtherance of their joint enterprise. Some of the charges against Gorilla Stone members include racketeering conspiracy, various frauds, a large-scale narcotics conspiracy that SENIOR actively participated in, myriad firearms offenses, and numerous acts of violence, including a daytime murder of a juvenile in the middle of a Poughkeepsie street; multiple attempted murders and shootings, including two in Florida in which SENIOR was involved; a gunpoint drug-related robbery; and a brutal slashing.
For over a decade, SENIOR participated in and was associated with the Gorilla Stone racketeering conspiracy. SENIOR was a powerful, respected, high-profile member of the gang. SENIOR admitted that he was an organizer or leader of a criminal activity that involved five or more participants. SENIOR joined the gang while incarcerated over a decade ago and has remained an active member ever since, including upon his release from custody from a prior case in 2013.
As part of the racketeering activity, on or about July 5, 2020, while in Florida for a gang member’s birthday, SENIOR shot a gun at a gang member with whom he was having a gambling dispute, hitting one gang member in the leg/calf area and a second, different gang member in the foot when the bullet ricocheted. A victim suffered serious bodily injury because of the shooting and was treated at a Miami-area hospital for a gunshot wound to the foot. Thereafter, other party attendees, including a member of Gorilla Stone, discharged multiple firearms.
Additionally, as part of an August 5, 2018, robbery at a Manhattan diner that SENIOR participated in, a victim was restrained and suffered serious bodily injury. The robbery started when SENIOR appeared to believe that a female victim took a photo of him from the booth where the victim was sitting. SENIOR then proceeded to forcefully take the victim’s cellphone. SENIOR’s gang member associate then came up behind the victim and put her in a headlock until she fell to the floor unconscious from lack of oxygen.
SENIOR further agreed to traffic at least 100 kilograms of marijuana. During an approximately nine-month period, SENIOR was responsible for distributing between 100 kilograms and 400 kilograms of his personally branded “2x” marijuana. Thoughts?
With the wave of female rappers entering the game being the strongest it’s ever been, the newest leading lady out of New York has everyone asking, “Who is Scar Lip?” With hits like “New York” and her infamous “Glizzy Gobbler,” Scar Lip is making her presence heard with her aggressive delivery and sharp punchlines. Like other artists emerging from Hip Hops modern era, Scar Lip’s social media presence keeps her new fans close to her and gives insight into who she is. With plenty of competition in the form of fellow female artists on the scene, she is looking to stand out with an iron fist. Here is everything you need to know about New York’s own Scar Lip.
Growing up in the Bronx, Sierra Lewis, also known as Scar Lip, didn’t have an easy upbringing. In fact, the traumatic events in the rapper’s childhood shaped who she is today. At 12, she lost her mother in a hit-and-run car accident. Her brother caused a traumatic injury as a child, resulting in a trademark scar on her lip. While living with her aunt, Scar Lip also faced alleged abuse from her uncle and aunt as well. Soon, Lewis moved into foster care after leaving the abusive household. This is where the rapper began writing poetry to cope with the events she had experienced. She details these experiences in her songs “Therapy,” “Foster Care,” and “Suicide Awareness.”
Famous Co-Signs
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Scar Lip and Swizz Beatz attend the Brooklyn Artist Ball after party at the Brooklyn Museum on April 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Benny The Butcher and Scar Lip attend the Brooklyn Artist Ball after party at the Brooklyn Museum on April 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Since emerging on the scene, Scar Lip has received a lot of love from fellow rappers. The latest A-lister to give her praise to Scar Lip is fellow Bronx native Cardi B. When asked if she would consider being featured on the “This Is New York” remix, she enthusiastically replied, “I love that song! My fans keep asking for it.” Earlier this month, both artists attended the Met Gala celebrations. On Instagram, Cardi B reposted a pic of Scar Lip in her Met Gala ensemble with the caption, “I love her.” The new upcoming artist also went to Instagram, sharing her excitement at the moment with her fans.
“Cardi B just posted me,” Scar Lip said in a video. “She inspired me. She from The Bronx, bro. I’m from The Bronx. She showed us young girls we could make it, and we could be something, bro. I can’t f**king believe this sh*t. We did it.” In her post, she also got support from other figures as well. Tony Yayo, Wack 100, Lola Brooks, and Latto all joined in showing love in Scar Lip’s comment section. The 22-year-old has also received praise from the likes of Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss. Even NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal, gave his stamp of approval. On Instagram, the basketball player told the rapper, “It’s time for you to take over New York.” Snoop Dogg gave his praises to the artist as well.
Influences
Being New York to the fullest, Scar Lip’s musical style is heavily influenced by legends who are also fellow residents. The rapper has also cited the late DMX as her main influence. Several others have made striking comparisons between the two artists. Scar Lip says well-known other New York artists, including Onyx also influence her. Among fans, she is also often compared to Brooklyn rapper Casanova.
Scar Lips’ loyal fan base was built from her social media presence, like many other modern-day stars. Her TikTok account, named Broken Child Productions, holds over 24.1 million likes with 1.9 million followers. This also solidifies the rapper’s star power on the platform. On her accounts, fans get a closer look into her life and a behind-the-scenes look into her budding career. Scar Lip tells her fans about her life before fame, bringing her loyal fan base closer to the artist. Besides her buzzing Tik Tok account, Scar Lip’s Instagram account also does heavy numbers. Her Instagram page has over 290k followers.
Scar Lip’s emotion and raw delivery have allowed her to make her mark on the Rap scene, garnering much love from fans. Her aggressiveness on the mic also gives a gritty, ’90s era feel that rap fans have been craving. With plenty of co-signs that could lead to legendary collaborations, the artist is already respected by huge names in the genre.
“This is New York” is in the Top 150 songs on YouTube Music in New York City and has over 893k views. Her early star power continues to grow with every appearance, showing she’s here to stay. With a big future ahead of her, and her single being possibly the new anthem for New York rap, Scar Lip has taken hold of the Hip Hop scene and has no intention of letting it go!
