a battle in the studio. That battle was recorded for prosperity, and Cassidy emerged victorious. "That wasn't just about me and Freeway. It was real Hip Hop," states Cassidy. "That's how you sharpen skills. Battling is a part of the culture for MCs."

So far Cassidy and Swizz Beats have recorded about 25 songs for the as-yet-untitled debut from Cassidy. The album will include tracks from Rockwilder, Battlecat, Drop, Neo and a few upcoming producers from Swizz stable of beat-makers.

Many have called Cassidy a battle rapper or a punch line rapper, which disturbs him and Swizz to no end. All those stereotypes will be laid to rest once the album drops, "I made my reputation by battling, but there is more to me than that," Cassidy relates. "I knewof the book. After it was altered, I still liked the meeting because it was in character. Jungle Girl is normally much more curious and welcoming, but she's skittish and jittery right now with the crisis that's occurring on the island. Sonja is usually more cunning and cautious, but she's already tumbled through multiple worlds and is learning that far too many things in them want to kill her. I also just liked the antagonism because it seemed to make them sweeter in their tentative and faintly apologetic friendship (and you'll get to see Sonja being much more of a big sister to Jana as we go on).

RM: Being part of big crossover is kind of a rite of passage for writers. And I think it's an increasingly