Of course! He can’t perform with his shirt off!

A lot of people came out last night to support Ray J at spotlight live, not only was it packed with a line around the block to get in, but AZ, Casely, Casha, Anthony Anderson, Young Berg, and Kay Slay were among the few to walk right on in. I’m not a huge fan of Ray J myself, but I gotta admit I’m feeling that Sexy Can I.

ATF: How did you get started?

Casely: I got started at school. Besides that, I was always singing around the house.

ATF: Do you feel like school was an important part of your career? I heard through the grapevine that you went to Berkley College of Music.

Casely: I definitely feel like it plays a part in setting me apart. Everyone doesn’t have to go to school to make it big as an artist, but for me, it adds a bit more to who I am as an artist and as a musician.

ATF: What’s your ethnicity?

Casely: My mother is Trini and my father is Panamanian.

ATF: Does that influence your sound at all?

Casely: Yeah, not directly. You’re not going to hear any Latin music or West Indian music on the album at all, but I think it influences my music in the sense of longevity, in terms of not having any barricades on my music. I grew up listening to a lot of different music around the house and in the city, so I drive influence from everything.

ATF: Who are some of your musical influences?

Casely: Definitely Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Donny Hathaway. I just basically like anything that’s unique and different.

ATF: So, tell us about your new project.

Casely: I’m bringing back that original, unique music! Its an R&B album but its also pop, hip-hop, its everything. Its real music, ya’ know? I’ve been grinding it out trying to get a deal for as long as I can remember. All of the music has that 80’s type of feel.

ATF: What is the most important thing that you can tell upcoming artists who are trying to be in the same position that you are in now?

Casely: The most important thing is to stay focused. Growing up, I always wanted to be a recording artist, so that helped keep me focused. Any decision that I’ve made throughout my life has been to affect my dream in a positive way. Just keep perfecting your craft. Stay out there, keep doing shows, and keep honing your craft.

ATF: So, I saw your video for “Emotional”, and I saw a couple of Miami artists that I recognized, including Pitbull. Are you currently based in Miami?

Casely: I was born in Miami, but I was raised in Ft. Lauderdale. I was back and forth because my parents got a divorce. My father lived in Miami and my father lived in Ft. Lauderdale.

ATF: AllThatsFab.com is based in New York. How about you let our readers know what Miami has to offer…

Casely: I think Miami has its energy to offer. The world has gotten a lot of Atlanta’s energy, maybe even Cali and New York, too. I’m excited to bring a new wave to the world. You guys have gotten to enjoy our hip hop, like Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and Pitbull, but now its time to hear what our R&B sounds like down in Miami.

ATF: One thing that I also like in your video is that you do a lot of dancing. How long have you been doing that?

Casely: I’ve been dancing for about 5 years. I haven’t been dancing as long as I’ve been singing, but dancing for me is definitely something that I wanted to be original. Like when you look at Prince, when he was dancing, you couldn’t really put a finger on it, but it looked fly, it looked dope. I don’t want people to look at me and be like, ‘Oh, he’s a pop-locker, or he break-dances.’ I touch different genres of dancing, but, at the end of the day, I want it to be organic and original.

ATF: I also heard that you play musical instruments. Is that something that we can hear on your album?

Casely: You’re probably going to see a lot more of it in my live shows. I’m definitely incorporating my piano in my show, and I play an acoustic version of “Emotional”. The album, for the most part, is production and beat based. There’s not really a lot of live music on there, but we wanted to focus on the groove, and wanted people to bobbin their heads.

ATF: Well, you know this was coming…Do you have a girlfriend?

Casely: Nah, nah, I’m single.

ATF: Are you single and ready to mingle, or are you single and just focused?

Casely: I’m single and focused! They go hand in hand. Everyone can hit me up on Myspace.com/casely. I do maintain it myself so hit me up with the comments. Also check out Caselymusic.com and request, “Emotional” on your local radio stations and cop it on itunes.

ATF: Are you currently in New York right now?

Casely: Yeah, I’m freezing right now in what you all call “warm weather”.

ATF: (Laughs) So, what do you have planned while you’re here in the city?

Casely: Well, just yesterday I was at the Ray J/Yung Berg shoot for “Sexy Can I“. They’re re-shooting the video, and I did a little cameo for that. Today, I’m doing interviews, and soon, I’ll be shooting to Philly to do some radio stuff and to open up for Wyclef.

ATF: Nice!

Casely: Yeah, I’m real excited about that. You know, I’m just doing things here and there.

ATF: Well, Casely, we’ll definitely look out for you, and we look forward to hearing more from you. Are there any last words that you’d like to leave us with?

Casely: Just be on the lookout! 1985 is coming back, so get ready.