Swizz Beatz Says Cassidy Can't wait to hit the studio

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Super-producer Swizz Beatz can't wait for his protege Cassidy to complete his 11-to-23-month jail sentence for involuntary manslaughter. The producer told MTV.com, "He's ready. He said he wants to spend a week or two with his family (when he gets out, then (record). He said he wants 200 beats. When he's in the shower, he wants to hear a beat. When he's playing with his son, he wants to hear a beat. He wrote so much stuff when he was in (jail). He has a lot of explaining to do to his fans. He has a lot of stuff to get off his chest."

Cassidy was found not guilty of first degree murder last week. The rapper was initially accused of shooting and killing Desmond Hawkins as the latter sat in a van parked behind Cassidy's row home in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia last April 15th.

A judge found the rapper guilty of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime, but not guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Beatz shared that Cassidy was disappointed that he wasn't totally exonerated. The producer said, "He's feeling he should have been (innocent) of everything. I had to let him know he was facing major charges and there's a person not on this earth anymore. But these things are worked out in the court. It worked in our favor, he can't wait to get out and put out his music. We might repackage (2005's I'm A Hustla) with a couple of new cuts."

Cassidy has been behind bars since last June, and he'll be eligible for parole within the next couple of months.