Cassius Tae Presents “Moments In Desire”
Cassius Tae's presence in the Chicago music scene was felt heavily this week as he released his fourth full-length project, Moments In Desire, on November 21, 2024. The release included a riveting listening party at Chicago’s Drip Collective on the same day.
Cassius put his heart and soul into this project and such was evident in its presentation. Tapping his Michigan connections from when he attended Central Michigan University, the 15-track project had a glass finish sound, with production from Thibault and mastering and mixing provided by Codename Torino, who has worked with Mick Jenkins, Mavi, Pink Siifu, SONNY among many more.
That does not mention tastefully selected features – which included Daniel Hex and 4x RIAA platinum producer Golden Haze – and a roll-out that included merch, a listening after-party and a complete photoshoot to boot.
The album is a lot to digest, as it journeys Tae’s ambitious drive to achieve his dreams and the pitfalls he faces along the way.
At first listen, the production and the sharpness of his pen stuck out. The lyrics and the mood of the tracks make it abundantly clear that the album was heavy on Cassius’ heart and that he had a message he wanted to share. =
And maybe that’s where he lost me at first.
During my first run through the album, while I was very impressed with his rapping and how the songs were put together, I felt that the subject matter was scattered and not cohesive.
The first four songs, for example, give a couple of different moods.
The lead-off track “THE SEARCH” is about his dream of becoming a rapper, the doubters that he encountered, and choosing to persevere anyway – an inspiring track that showcases his hunger and storytelling ability.
“On God, I was taking trains to Detroit every other week just to record this,
Tebow House, mema moved, I was damn near homeless
Not to mention I was hungry, but thank God I was focused,
My step-moms tells me to get a job in a week and I should let go of this”
Tae from “THE SEARCH”
The next couple of songs, after, however, go into a party, player vibe that deviates from the origin story. To Cassius’ credit, I hadn’t made it through the album (I was about ¾ done when I made it to the listening party).
When expressing this sentiment to Tae at the listening party, however, he revealed, which was confirmed in my second listen-through, that the album comes full circle, with many introspective songs to wrap up the album and tie the vision together.
He also mentioned keeping in mind that the name of the album is “Moments In Desire” and that the album is a reflection of the myriad of emotions and phases of his life on his pursuit of his dreams.
And he was right. My favorite song is “THE GIVER” which ties back to the intro track, showcasing his brilliant pen, story-telling ability, and his focus on becoming the individual he is destined to be.
Since his breakout single “Waverunner” featured on his EP Alone In Blue Hour in 2021 which led to him going on his first international tour in South Africa, Cassious has been on a tear. From opening up for Rhakim in 2021 to his appearance on Vicki Street’s Cereal & Cyphers visual series and performing with Jay Wood and Chicago’s princess, Khaliyah X, at Schubas in 2023, he has made it known that he is a force in the city to be reckoned with.
Make sure you tap in and support Chicago’s own.
