Mason Durell Betha (born
AugustAugust is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with a length of 31 days.This month was originally named Sextilis in Latin, because it was the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus in 753 BC, when March was the first...
27, 1975), better known by
stage nameA stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Mase (often typset as
Ma$e), is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapperRapping is the rhythmic spoken delivery of rhymes, wordplay, and poetry. Rapping is a primary ingredient in hip hop music, but the phenomenon predates hip hop culture by centuries. Rapping can be delivered over a beat or without accompaniment...
,
songwriterA songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics, as well as the musical composition or melody to songs. One who writes only lyrics is a lyricist, while one who writes only music is a composer.-History and background of songwriters:...
, television personality and
inspirational speaker. He was an artist on
Sean "Diddy" Combs'Sean John Combs , known by his stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, men's fashion designer, entrepreneur and dancer. He won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.He was originally...
hip hopHip hop music is a musical genre which developed alongside hip hop culture, and is commonly based on concepts of loop, rapping, freestyle, DJing, scratching, sampling and beatboxing. The music is used to express concerns of political, social, and personal issues...
label
Bad Boy RecordsBad Boy Records is an East Coast record label, dealing largely in Hip-Hop/R&B music, founded by producer/rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs in 1993...
during the late 1990s.
Early career
Mase was born August 27, 1975 in Jacksonville, FL according to his autobiography "There's a life after the Lime." He was introduced as Bad Boy Entertainment's next big artist during the summer of 1996 when he was featured on the remix to
112-Roman Empire:* Trajan is Roman Consul.* Tacitus is Governor of the Roman province of Asia, Anatolia.* Hadrian succeeds Gaius Julius Cassius Steirieus as archon of Athens.* Salonina Matidia receives the title of Augusta.-Deaths:*Beatus of Lungern...
's debut single, "
Only You-Film and television:* Only You , a romantic comedy starring Helen Hunt and Andrew McCarthy* Only You , a romantic comedy starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr.* Only You, a film in the anime series Urusei Yatsura...
", which peaked at number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles Sales chart as well as its Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. With his soon-to-be-trademarked slow flow, Mase would quickly develop a crossover-fanbase as he would be featured on original tracks, as well as remixes, by popular R&B artists such as
Brian McKnightBrian McKnight is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and pop and R&B musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who can play nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, French horn and trumpet.-Biography:McKnight's musical career began with a...
,
Mariah CareyMariah Carey is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut in 1990 under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart...
,
Keith SweatKeith Sweat, born on July 22, 1961 in Harlem, New York, is an American R&B/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the New jack swing era.-Biography:Sweat has a college degree in communications....
, and
BrandyBrandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine, the wine having first been produced by fermenting grapes. Brandy generally contains 36%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
, amongst others. Puff Daddy (
DiddyDiddy may refer to:*Sean Combs, a rap mogul, previously known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puff and Puffy. Also known as Sean John due to his fragance and clothing line*David Hamilton , British Broadcaster known as 'Diddy' David Hamilton...
) featured Mase on "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems", from
The Notorious B.I.G.Christopher George Latore Wallace , popularly known as Biggie Smalls , Frank White , and by his primary stage name The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper.Raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Wallace grew up during...
's double-LP
Life After DeathLife After Death is the Grammy-nominated second and final studio album by East Coast rapper The Notorious B.I.G....
in what would turn out to be the album's biggest hit single. He then featured Mase on several songs on his own debut album,
No Way Out: the lead single, "
Can't Nobody Hold Me Down"Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" is a hip-hop song by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs featuring Mase. It appears on Combs' debut album No Way Out and it was released as the first single in 1997....
", which hit number one on the Rap, R&B, and Pop charts, as well as on "
Been Around the World"Been Around the World" was a 1997 single from the Puff Daddy album No Way Out, featuring The Notorious B.I.G and Mase. The song sampled the David Bowie song "Let's Dance" and Roy Ayers "Feelin’ Good"; it also featured a vocal interpolation of the Lisa Stansfield song "All Around the World", sung...
", which would also reach number one on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks. By the time Mase released his own debut album in late-1997,
Harlem WorldHarlem World is the critically acclaimed multi-platinum debut album by rapper Mase, released October 28, 1997. Seen as Puff Daddy's new protege since the passing of The Notorious B.I.G., Mase rose to fame after being a member of Children of the Corn with fellow Harlem rappers Big L and Cam'ron...
, the rapper had taken the claim to Bad Boy's premier artist, filling the void left by the death of Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. He is married to Twyla Betha and leads an international ministry.
Harlem World
The album spawned hits such as "Feel So Good" and "Lookin' At Me" which both reached number one status on the Rap Billboard charts, as well as "What You Want," which peaked at number three on both the Rap and R&B Billboard charts.
Double Up and Retirement
Mase's sophomore effort,
Double UpDouble Up may refer to:*Double Up , a 2007 album*"Double Up" , a 2008 single*Double Up , a 1999 album*Double Up , a 1992 NBC game show...
, was released in 1999 and distributed by Bad Boy Records and sold 107,000 copies in its first week, debuting at #11. However, though it reached Gold Certification status in the US and was well-received by critics and fans alike, the album failed to meet expectations due to the rapper's turn to religion and subsequent retirement from rap.
The album offered several notable differences from
Harlem World. After having moved to Atlanta, Mase adopted a "dirty-south" style to adapt with the changing trends in hip-hop at the time, as popular rap music at the time was dominated by Master P and his No-Limit crew. Double Up also featured much more aggressive material from Mase. Perhaps this was a response to his reputation of a pop-rapper or a response to the dwelling tension between himself and his confidants
Cam'ronCameron Giles better known by his stage name Cam'ron, previously known as Killa Cam, is a Grammy-nominated American rapper and actor. He is the founder of the hip hop group The Diplomats, commonly known as Dipset....
and
Jim JonesJames Warren "Jim" Jones was the founder and leader of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18, 1978 death of more than 900 Temple members in Jonestown, Guyana along with the deaths of nine other people at a nearby airstrip and in Georgetown.Jones was born in Indiana and...
. Perhaps no other sign was as clear as the line he raps on the last song of the album, "From Scratch," when he says "If I could do it all again, I'd do it all for Christ."YY
On April 20, 1999, during an interview with legend
Funkmaster FlexAston George Taylor Jr., better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, singer, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station, described by The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop as "one of the biggest players in the game". He plays hip-hop, R&B, old school, back in the day,...
of New York radio station
Hot 97Hot 97 could refer to:* KBCQ-FM, a radio station licensed to Roswell, New Mexico* WQHT, a radio station licensed to New York, New York...
, Mase announced his retirement from music to pursue a calling from God.
Return to Music and Subsequent Controversy
After a five-year hiatus from the music industry, Mase made a comeback with
Welcome Back during the summer of 2004. Prior to the album's release, the rapper was featured on
NellyCornell Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is a rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly made his solo debut in 2000 with Country Grammar, the title track of...
's "In My Life," as well as the remixes to
Fat JoeJoseph Cartagena, better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper signed to Imperial Records, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
's "Lean Back" and
Kanye WestKanye West is an American singer/rapper. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, and his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008. His first three albums have received numerous awards and critical acclaim...
's "Jesus Walks." The album debuted at #4 on the charts, selling 188,000 copies in the first week; the album would eventually go gold, selling 559,000 copies in the United States. Released after a five-year break from the rap scene, the album was a product of Mase's newly developed "Christian" persona. Portraying a "cleaner" image during this short-lived return to the industry, Mase dubbed himself "a Bad Boy gone clean," on the lead single, also titled "
Welcome Back"Welcome Back" is the first single by American rapper Mase from his third studio album Welcome Back. The song samples "Welcome Back", the theme from the TV show Welcome Back Kotter by John Sebastian.-Music video:...
." This new approach to rap was received with mixed reviews. However, even though the album was not a commercial success like
Harlem WorldHarlem World is the critically acclaimed multi-platinum debut album by rapper Mase, released October 28, 1997. Seen as Puff Daddy's new protege since the passing of The Notorious B.I.G., Mase rose to fame after being a member of Children of the Corn with fellow Harlem rappers Big L and Cam'ron...
, the singles, "Welcome Back" and "Breathe, Stretch, Shake," received moderate radio airplay and video play on BET and MTV, with the latter reaching #28 on the Billboard Hot 100; both singles were also certified gold by the RIAA.
Mase was for a short time a member of
G-UnitG-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mixtapes. The name of the group is short for Guerilla Unit as well as Gangsta Unit.-Early days:...
. He has since said that joining the group wasn't something he regrets, but that the message he was sending was a mistake. He joined
G-UnitG-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mixtapes. The name of the group is short for Guerilla Unit as well as Gangsta Unit.-Early days:...
to appeal to a different audience so they could see that they could change just as he did, thinking that "in order to get people where I'm at, I have to go back to where I once was." Under
G-UnitG-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mixtapes. The name of the group is short for Guerilla Unit as well as Gangsta Unit.-Early days:...
, he released a "Crucified 4 The Hood: 10 Years of Hate," a mixtape from the DJ Whoo Kid series, but an official album was never released. According to
50Year 50 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.-Roman Empire:*Roman Emperor Claudius appoints Agrippa II governor of Chalcis.*Claudius adopts Nero....
,
DiddyDiddy may refer to:*Sean Combs, a rap mogul, previously known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puff and Puffy. Also known as Sean John due to his fragance and clothing line*David Hamilton , British Broadcaster known as 'Diddy' David Hamilton...
refused to let Mase out of his contract with
Bad BoyBad Boy may refer to:*The Bad Boy , a 1917 film starring Robert Harron, Mildred Harris, Colleen Moore, Richard Cummings and Josephine Crowell*Bad Boy , a 1939 film directed by Herbert E...
for anything less than $2 million. Uncertain that Mase's album would sell well enough to make up for that type of investment, [50] gave up on trying to bring Mase onto
G-UnitG-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mixtapes. The name of the group is short for Guerilla Unit as well as Gangsta Unit.-Early days:...
.
After the G-Unit deal couldn't be finalized, Mase was linked to
SRC RecordsSRC Records is an American record label created by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind. It is a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group and is distributed through Universal Records....
. SRC founder
Steve RifkindSteve Rifkind is a music entrepreneur who is, according to XXL magazine, "responsible for breaking in some of hip-hop’s biggest artists in his 25 years in the business". Rifkind was the founder and chairman of Loud Records as well as the founder and current chairman of SRC Records. He is...
was working on signing Mase in 2007, but, like
50Year 50 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.-Roman Empire:*Roman Emperor Claudius appoints Agrippa II governor of Chalcis.*Claudius adopts Nero....
, was unable to come to terms with
DiddyDiddy may refer to:*Sean Combs, a rap mogul, previously known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puff and Puffy. Also known as Sean John due to his fragance and clothing line*David Hamilton , British Broadcaster known as 'Diddy' David Hamilton...
over buying out Mase's contract. Rifkind has been on record talking about the album that Mase recorded for SRC, which was to be titled either "Suicide Note" or "The Revival." In an interview with Hip-Hop magazine XXL , Rifkind claimed that it would be released by the end of that year and that it was "crazy." The album, of course, was never released.
Second Comeback
Following the formula that worked for him 13 years ago, Mase has begun to appear on popular R&B artists' remixes. In early June, he was featured on the last verse of "Uptown Boy" by Harry O, signed to The Inc., which also features
Ron BrowzRondell Turner or better known by his stage name Ron Browz is an American record producer. He has his own record label distributed by Universal Motown called Ether Boy Records.-Biography/career:...
. Weeks later, Mase appeared on a street remix for
DrakeAubrey Drake Graham is a Canadian actor and recording artist. He originally became known for playing character Jimmy Brooks on the TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation. As a rapper, he performs under the mononym Drake...
's "Best I Ever Had." Mase stated that since the death of
Michael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson , known as the "King of Pop", was an American musician and one of the most commercially successful and influential entertainers of all time...
it has lit the fire inside him and he is ready to come back. He appeared on Power 105.1 to have a phone conversation with "The Prince of New York" DJ Self to discuss his latest attempt at a comeback. During this interaction, former-friend-turned-rival, Jim Jones, called in to make peace and hinted at the possibility of the two working together in the near future. Mase would then use that very radio show as his outlet to release new music throughout the rest of the summer as he'd have a new song or feature premiere every Friday on DJ Self's show. On July 3, Mase appeared on the remix to
Trey SongzTremaine Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American recording artist, producer and actor. He has released three studio albums: I Gotta Make It, Trey Day and Ready....
' hit single "I Need A Girl," where he shouts out "And Diddy told them that '10 years from now we'll still be on top. I thought I told you that we won't stop," referring to the line on "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems."
July 10th would be the first time a brand new track featuring Mase would be released as he drops the first verse on "Get It," which was produced by Big Ran and also featured
Cam'ronCameron Giles better known by his stage name Cam'ron, previously known as Killa Cam, is a Grammy-nominated American rapper and actor. He is the founder of the hip hop group The Diplomats, commonly known as Dipset....
. There are two versions out, one featuring newcomer B. Rossi and the other featuring
VadoThe Vado camcorder is a camera developed and manufactured by Creative Labs. It is available in a standard model, as well as a high-definition model....
, but what makes this song special is that it marks the first time in over ten years that Mase has worked with
Cam'ronCameron Giles better known by his stage name Cam'ron, previously known as Killa Cam, is a Grammy-nominated American rapper and actor. He is the founder of the hip hop group The Diplomats, commonly known as Dipset....
. Mase released the
Ron BrowzRondell Turner or better known by his stage name Ron Browz is an American record producer. He has his own record label distributed by Universal Motown called Ether Boy Records.-Biography/career:...
produced "Thinkin' 'Bout You" on July 17th, then followed that up by adding a verse to the street remix of
Teairra MariTeairra Marí is a R&B and hip hop singer born in Detroit, Michigan.-2004-2006: Roc-A-Fella Presents: Teairra Marí:Marí worked with Jay-Z, in his first collaboration project since becoming president of Def Jam Records, to create "Make Her Feel Good" along with producer Sean Garrett, the lead single...
&
Kanye WestKanye West is an American singer/rapper. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, and his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008. His first three albums have received numerous awards and critical acclaim...
's "Diamonds", on July 24th. Mase used the last Friday in July to "Shut the City Down," which was the title of his second solo release since his comeback began. The song primarily discusses the rapper's legacy and makes reference to the ways in which Rap music, as a business, has changed since he reigned atop of it. He also makes reference to his new Batman-esque logo, and hints at himself as Hip-Hop's superhero. Mase released the song "Radio" on August 21st as a prelude to his upcoming mixtape, titled "I Do The Impossible." On September 11th, Mase was one of the featured artists who appeared on the remix to
Ron BrowzRondell Turner or better known by his stage name Ron Browz is an American record producer. He has his own record label distributed by Universal Motown called Ether Boy Records.-Biography/career:...
' "Gimme 20 Dollars." While being the third time since his comeback that he has worked with Browz, the remix is also significant in that it's his first collaboration with
Jim JonesJames Warren "Jim" Jones was the founder and leader of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18, 1978 death of more than 900 Temple members in Jonestown, Guyana along with the deaths of nine other people at a nearby airstrip and in Georgetown.Jones was born in Indiana and...
since the two had their falling out years ago.
OJ Da JuicemanOtis Williams Jr., better known by his stage name OJ Da Juiceman, is an American rapper and founder of vanity label 32 Entertainment and has a joint venture deal with Rich As Hell records for $200 million and Waka Flocka has a distribution deal with Roc Nation for $15 million.-Biography:Williams...
and
Shawty LoCarlos Walker , better known by his stage name Shawty Lo, is an American rapper and CEO of D4L Records Inc. His debut album, Units in the City, was released on February 26, 2008...
are also featured. On September 20th, Mase was featured on "Activate The Swag" by Rose' Raz. He also appeared at
Funkmaster FlexAston George Taylor Jr., better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, singer, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station, described by The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop as "one of the biggest players in the game". He plays hip-hop, R&B, old school, back in the day,...
's 2009 car show to talk to the crowd and perform a short version of
Mo Money Mo Problems"Mo Money Mo Problems" is the Grammy-nominated second single & tenth track on the first disc of the Notorious B.I.G. album, Life After Death. It features guest vocals from Ma$e and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. The instrumental contains a sample of the Diana Ross song "I'm Coming Out"...
.
In an interview with
MTVMTV is a cable television network based in New York City and launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs...
,
DiddySean John Combs , known by his stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, men's fashion designer, entrepreneur and dancer. He won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.He was originally...
spoke on Mase's comeback and what it potentially could mean for his label,
Bad Boy RecordsBad Boy Records is an East Coast record label, dealing largely in Hip-Hop/R&B music, founded by producer/rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs in 1993...
. "Mase has called me... We've spoken. He's basically said, 'Just keep your eye on me. Making this switch, I gotta kinda bear this cross myself for a second. Just watch what I do.' I said, 'I've seen.' He's definitely one of the dopest emcees to ever touch the game. People can't deny that. He's one of the most successful. I've seen people come back from different things in this game. I said, 'Yeah. Without a doubt, I'll keep my eye on you.' I spoke to him today. He's out there working."
While appearing on air with an Atlanta radio station with
DiddySean John Combs , known by his stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, men's fashion designer, entrepreneur and dancer. He won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.He was originally...
and his group
Dirty MoneyDirty Money was a UK game show broadcast on Sky One in 2002. It was presented by Marcus Bentley, although only by voice over.The six contestants were each given £500 to start the game. They participated in five rounds of 90 seconds duration each, and had to buzz in to answer questions read by the...
(Puff, Dawn Richards and Kaleena) Mase finally got his release contract signed by Diddy. The next day on Twitter, Mase told his followers he was celebrating over the paperwork he received from Diddy. He then asked his followers who he should collaborate/sign/work with. . According to some sources close to French Montana, Mase will appear on the remix to French's "New York Minute" alongside
JadakissJadakiss is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. He recently signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, an imprint under Def Jam Recordings....
. It dropped on October 20th 2009.
Mase went on radio unscheduled on Atlanta’s V103 during an interview with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Dirty Money (consisting of Dawn Richards, Kaleena and Diddy himself) to request that he be released from his Bad Boy Records label.
While Diddy and Dirty Money were being interviewed by Ryan Cameron, he appeared to hand Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs a document which he reviewed and then signed.
According to Diddy, Mase has the freedom to do as he wishes and anyone looking for the features can now do so.
“People have felt like our situation I made has stopped him, whatever. He can do whatever he wants to do,” says Diddy.
Meanwhile, Mase on the other hand, states that it took him 10 years to get his paperwork and he doesn’t know what he’s going to put out now.
Albums
- Harlem World
Harlem World is the critically acclaimed multi-platinum debut album by rapper Mase, released October 28, 1997. Seen as Puff Daddy's new protege since the passing of The Notorious B.I.G., Mase rose to fame after being a member of Children of the Corn with fellow Harlem rappers Big L and Cam'ron...
(1997)
- Double Up
Double Up is the second album of Harlem rapper Ma$e released in 1999 and distributed by Bad Boy Records. The album sold 107,000 copies in its first week, debuting at #11. The album managed to achieve gold certification, selling over 425,000 copies in the US alone. However, when Ma$e came out of...
(1999)
- Welcome Back
Welcome Back is Mase's third album, released August 24, 2004. The album debuted at #4 on the charts, selling 188,000 copies in the first week; the album would eventually go gold, selling 559,000 copies in the United States. Released after a five-year break from the rap scene, the album was a...
(2004)
Mixtapes
- G-Unit Radio 16 - Ma$e Crucified 4 Da Hood (2006)
- The King Of Harlem (hosted by DJ Messiah) (2009)
- I Do The Impossible (2009)
External links