Mase

This article is about the rapper. For the municipality in Switzerland, see Mase, Switzerland.

Mase

Mason Durrell Betha (born August 27, 1977 in Jacksonville, Florida), known by stage name Ma$e, is an American rapper, best known as an artist on Sean "Diddy" Combs' hip hop label Bad Boy Records during the late 1990s. Mase also briefly associated himself with G-Unit and recorded songs with several members of the label, despite not being officially signed.

Early career

Raised in Harlem, New York, he began his music career as a rapper. Originally a member of Children of the Corn, he called himself "Murder Mase," rapping alongside Big L, Cam'ron, McGruff and Bloodshed when they released "Colector's Edition" in 1992. In 1996, he travelled to Atlanta for a music conference, hoping to hook up with Jermaine Dupri; instead, he met Sean Combs, who signed him to Bad Boy after hearing him rap. His image was refined as Combs set about developing a marketable pop rapper out of an artist formerly known for violent imagery in his lyrics.

That same year, Mase was featured on a single of 112's "Only You (remix)," which instantly showcased the young rapper's talent. In 1997, he recorded and released his first album, Harlem World, which became a multi-platinum success, and featured the hit single "Feel So Good," which included a prominent sample of Kool & the Gang's "Hollywood Swinging" and the chorus from Miami Sound Machine's "Bad Boy". Other successful Harlem World singles included "What You Want," "Lookin' at Me," and "24 Hours to Live." Notably popular among mainstream audiences, Mase became one of the label's premiere acts.

Retirement

On April 20, 1999, during an interview with Funkmaster Flex of New York radio station Hot 97, Mase announced his retirement from music. This was during the promotional period for his second album, Double Up, and its lead single, "Get Ready". The rapper declared himself a born-again Christian and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he would study at Clark Atlanta University. Mase received an honorary Th.D from St. Paul's Bible Institute in New York and addresses himself as Dr. Mason Betha. He is the founder and pastor of both S.A.N.E. (Saving a Nation Endangered) Church International and Mason Betha Ministries in Atlanta. He also became a member of World Changers Church International in the Atlanta suburb of College Park

Comeback

After a five-year absence, Mase returned to music and Bad Boy Records with Welcome Back, and the like-titled single, which contained a sample from the television series Welcome Back, Kotter. Despite returning to secular entertainment, the rapper still claimed the status of a pastor. Thus, the album contained only one curse word and refrained from derogatory messages toward women.

About a year after his Welcome Back album was released, it was rumored that Mase had defected to G-Unit under his old persona of "Murder Mase." After much speculation, he appeared at a concert in Madison Square Garden wearing a G-Unit spinning medallion. In addition to being featured on the Get Rich or Die Tryin' soundtrack, Mase can be seen in 50 Cent's video for "Window Shopper" and also has his own G-Unit Radio mixtape. Mase's current single is titled "Extraordinary", from his upcoming album,which has yet to be confirmed.It had been announced that Mase would sign with SRC Records. However, according to an interview on hiphopdx.com, he has still not signed.

Mase has also spent his time touring college campuses to spread the message about his faith in Jesus.

Discography

Main article: Ma$e discography

Albums

• Harlem World (1997)
• Double Up (1999)
• Welcome Back (2004)

Mixtapes

• Crucified 4 da Hood (G-Unit Radio Part 16)
• The Collector's Edition (Retooling of the COTC demo)

External links

• Mason Betha Ministries
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• Mase at IMDb
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