Johnny Ca$h

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For years, a mourning Troy Castaneda said she wouldn’t go near her son’s music. But she couldn’t ignore his legacy.

“I woke up one day and I decided to just bring him back,” she said, adding, “He had this huge book of material.”

Johnny Castaneda aka “Johnny Ca$h” was a Richmond resident, a rising hip hop star, and a protege to the slain Mac Dre,  when he was fatally shot in Vallejo on March 29, 2007.

His mother, Troy aka Mamma Ca$h, is understandably still crushed by the loss. But even in his death, Troy is proving her son’s vast potential can still be realized.

On Friday, which marks the 12th anniversary of his passing, Troy is releasing a treasure trove of her son’s never before heard music in the form of the music project, In My Shoes.

In so doing, she secured some big Bay Area artists to assist on the project, including Nef The Pharaoh, Philthy Rich, Way Way Santana, Kavi, Rydah J Klyde and more, said Markeaus Turner of Dreem Agency LLC, which represents Troy.

For updates on the album’s release, visit Dreem Agency Instagram account here.

“One day I just said, OK, I need to finish this legacy,” Troy told us. “This is my time to bring it back.”

Johnny was ahead of his time, and was known for telling stories in his music, Troy said. Long before joining Mac Dre’s Thizz Entertainment label, he started rapping around 7 or 8 years old. His main goal in life was to be a successful entertainer.

“Johnny was a loving person, a fun person. He loved his Richmond city,” she said. “That was his purpose, to bring people together.”

Today, it’s Mama Ca$h playing that important role in honor of her son.

“We believe that her speaking out helps our community’s mothers and fathers who have suffered the pain of losing a child,” said Turner. “No matter how famous you are or not.”