Caswell Senior (born October 27, 1986), known professionally as Casanova, is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York City. In October 2016, following the local success of his debut single "Don't Run", he signed with Memphis Bleek's Warehouse Music Group and Jay-Z's Roc Nation.[1][2][3]
In 2020, he was indicted on RICO charges alongside 17 others, due to various criminal activities that his Bloods gang "Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation" allegedly participated in, and sentenced to 15 years.
Early life
Caswell Senior was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.[4] He is of Haitian and Panamanian descent. At age 18, he was imprisoned on Rikers Island, where he formed a close bond with his cellmate, who was later discovered to be rapper ASAP Rocky.[5][6][7]
Career
While in a studio with friends in early 2016, Casanova, without previous experience, came up with "Don't Run". The song was produced by U-Dub (of NY Bangers).[8] Upon its release "Don't Run" received heavy radio play from DJ Self on Power 105.1 in New York City,[9] and later also Power 105.1 and Hot 97 there. In June 2016, Casanova released the official video for "Don't Run".[10] Casanova was discovered by Memphis Bleek through his label, Warehouse Music Group, which is under Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation. In October 2016, Casanova officially signed his deal with Warehouse/Roc Nation.[11] In September 2016, Casanova released the single "Line Me"[12][13] as well as a freestyle to Mobb Deep's "Quiet Storm".[14]
On December 1, 2020, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York Federal Court declared a warrant for the arrest of Casanova who they alleged was a leader within the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang. He was among 18 alleged members of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang charged in connection with various racketeering, murder, narcotics, firearms and fraud offenses, officials said. The Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: "As alleged in the Indictment, members of Gorilla Stone committed terrible acts of violence, trafficked in narcotics, and even engaged in brazen fraud by exploiting benefits programs meant to provide assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic". The FBI apprehended 17 of the gang members, but Casanova was not detained and an arrest warrant was issued for him.[25][26][27][28] On December 2, 2020, Casanova surrendered to federal authorities.[29][30] On June 27, 2023, he was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison.[31]
In 2016, Casanova started his own record label called 2x Entertainment. On October 20, 2017, 2x Entertainment's partnership with Warehouse Music Group/Roc Nation was publicly announced by Casanova and Memphis Bleek in an interview with The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1.[32] In November 2017, Casanova signed Lamont Sincere to 2x Entertainment.[33]
.jpg)
