DIDDY STILL CONTINUES TO DEFEND CASSIE....

Cassie's forthcoming album is NOWHERE near its release date (it has been pushed back all the way to September), but Diddy is plugging it already and we're only in April. He confirms that the lead single from the set will be the Danja-produced Official Girl.

Why does Diddy feel the need to keep telling us Cassie wasn't ready back then? Yes, we know he's referring to that tragic BET performance 2 years ago of hit single Me & U. In fact, you can watch the performance after the cut. However, his constant justifications are becoming dangerously simultaneous. It's as if his life is held at ransom if he doesn't convince us of that notion. I thought that his YouTube video addressing "the haters" was enough but then he went to MTV and said the EXACT same thing last year. He also likens Cassie's *ahem* artist development as comparative to that of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. Is he for real? Janet and Britney can EASILY take away the attention from their lacking vocal prowess with charismatic, energetic and fancy dance routines and still wow an audience. They are grade A entertainers, and they've been doing it for years. It's what they've always been good at from day one. Cassie on the other hand, I like her. I enjoy her music. She comes across as a really sweet girl but it's just not enough and neither is hot beats. And Diddy is giving her the best budget because she's working with the hottest producers possible. This CD is going to be hot. I have no doubts about that. But if you can't impress with your vocals or visually wow an audience, you won't get far on your looks. Ask Christina Milian. Some people vouch that Diddy and Cassie are f*ck-buddies, and well, I'm not one to run with unproven rumours but actions do speak louder than words. It would be really cool if he bigged up his more talented acts on Bad Boy, like Cheri Dennis, you know?

CASSIE PERFORMS ME & U ON BET BACK IN 06: