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Dear Hev,

Remember when we first met in Steve Rifkind’s office three years ago? You were getting ready to release your first reggae album, “Vibes,” and had come to play Steve some songs. I just happened to be in the office so Steve invited me in. O’Neal McKnight was signed to SRC through my production company at the time, and since you and O’Neal had a history through his cousin, Andre Harrell, we found some immediate common ground.

Listening to tracks off of “Vibes,” I whispered to you that I was reminded of your guest appearances on Supercat’s “Them No Worry We” and Naughty By Nature’s “Ready For Dem.” I was secretly trying to impress you. I succeeded.

From that moment on, you and I were friends. Big brother, little brother, mentor, mentoree. I called you two months after that day, asking if you would add some dancehall flavor to O’Neal’s new single, “Champagne Red Lights.” You told me you weren’t too up on the dance music of the day, but that you trusted my taste and would do it if I thought it was right. One day later, you sent me two amazing verses. It appeared you were more up on it than you thought. I was honored.

Shortly thereafter, you asked me to remix your song, “No Matter What,” and I gladly accepted. I was honored again. Then, in July 2009, you made a rare nightlife outing to my 28th birthday at The New Public Library. That meant a lot to me. Every time you were in New York, you invited me to Daddy’s House to get my opinion on your new music. I was always flattered and jumped when you called.

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This past March, I went to LA for two weeks to rehearse with Kanye for his big SXSW concert. Not only was it a two-hour show being taped for broadcast on Vevo, but Kanye was bringing out a lot of big artists – Jay-Z, John Legend, Mos Def, and Kid Cudi, just to name a few. Having never deejayed such a big concert for such a big artist before, I was nervous; very nervous in fact, and I rarely got nervous. The night before leaving LA for Austin, I called you for some advice. The next morning at 8am you were there, on the roof of the London Hotel, giving me Heavy’s words of wisdom over waffles, eggs and juice.

You said, “Cass, they could have called anyone and they called you. If you couldn’t handle the job, you wouldn’t be here. You deserve to be here and that’s why you are you. From the second I met you, I could feel your passion for and knowledge of music. That’s rare these days and you have it.”

I will never forget those words, Hev.

After breakfast, we went to your car and listened to some songs off your amazingly grown and sexy new album “The Love Opus.” You could not have asked for a better swan song.

On our last phone call, I got my final dose of Heavy wisdom. You gave me advice on my new album. You were so right. I will follow your every word.

When I became a deejay at ten years old, my only dream was to gain the respect of those in Hip Hop whom I admired and to contribute in some small way to the culture. That’s all I ever wanted. Well, you gave me that respect, and you constantly reminded me that what I did meant something to Hip Hop. I love you for that, and I love you for the great friend that you were in the short time we knew each other. You were caring, loving, wise, and warm, and I am privileged to have had you in my life the past few years.

Thank you for your friendship. And thank you for “The Overweight Lovers In The House”, “Mr. Big Stuff,” “Moneyearnin’ Mount Vernon,” “We Got Our Own Thang,” “Somebody For Me,” “Now That We Found Love,” “Is It Good To You,” “Don’t Curse,” “Got Me Waiting,” “Nuttin’ But Love,” “Sex Wit You,” “Black Coffee,” “Truthful,” “Who’s The Man,” “Blue Funk,” “You Can’t See What I Can See,” “Candy Rain,” “I Miss You,” “Alright,” “Jam,” “In Living Color,” and so many more classic records that I will play for the party people until I see you next.

Love,

Cassidy