Mase
There are at least twelve artists calling themselves Mase, who work in diff… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least twelve artists calling themselves Mase, who work in different areas of music. It is a pity that all these twelve artists are listed as one.
The best known is the rapper, whose extensive Wikipedia page has been partly copied below.
Mason Durell Betha (born August 27, 1975),[1] better known by stage name Mase (often typeset as Ma$e) who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker. He was an artist on Sean "Diddy" Combs's hip hop label Bad Boy Records. 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's debut single, "Only You", 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[citation needed] slow flow, Mase quickly developed a crossover fan base as he was featured on original tracks, as well as remixes, by popular R&B artists such as Brian McKnight, Mariah Carey, Keith Sweat, and Brandy, among others. Puff Daddy (Diddy) featured Mase on "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" from The Notorious B.I.G.'s double-LP Life After Death, 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", which hit number one on the Rap, R&B, and Pop charts, as well as on "Been Around the World", which would also reach number one on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks. By the time Mase released his own debut album, Harlem World, in late 1997, the rapper had become Bad Boy's premier artist, filling the void left by the death of Biggie Smalls. He is married to Twyla Betha and leads an international ministry.
Contents
[hide]
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 Harlem World
2.2 Double Up and retirement
2.3 Return to music and subsequent controversy
2.4 Second comeback
3 Discography
3.1 Albums
3.2 Compilations
3.3 Official Mixtapes
3.4 Filmography
4 References
5 External links
[edit] Early life
Rapper Mase was born Mason Durell Betha in Jacksonville, Florida on August 27, 1975, moved to Harlem, New York City with his family at age five, returned to Florida at age 13, and then moved back to Harlem two years later.[1] Betha was a point guard for the Manhattan Center High School basketball team and in 1993 he performed as "Murder Mase" in a rap group called Children of the Corn which also included successful solo artists Big L and Cam'ron (at the time known as Killa Cam). Of his ten childhood friends, eight were murdered and two went to prison. While attending SUNY Purchase, Mase met hip hop producer Country, was introduced to producer Sean Combs, and dropped out of college to pursue a rap career.[2]
[edit] Career
[edit] Harlem World
Mase's first solo LP, '"Harlem World"', debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[1]
[edit] Double Up and retirement
Mase's sophomore effort, Double Up, was released in 1999 and distributed by Bad Boy Records and sold 107,000 copies in its first week, debuting at #11. Though it reached #5 when popular rap music was dominated by Master P and his No-Limit crew. Double Up also featured much more aggressive material. Perhaps no other sign was as clear as a line in the last song of the album, "From Scratch": "If I could do it all again, I'd do it all for Christ."
On April 20, 1999, during an interview with Funkmaster Flex on New York radio station Hot 97, Mase announced his retirement from music to pursue "a calling from God." He felt he was leading people, friends, kids and others down a path to hell, stating that he left to find God in his heart and follow him.[citation needed] He declared it was time for him to serve God in his way, saying rap was not real and that he wanted to deal with reality, and that he had become unhappy with what he did, no matter how much it paid.[citation needed]
[edit] 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 Nelly's "In My Life," as well as the remix to Fat Joe's "Lean Back".
Mase's third album, Welcome Back, 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 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." This new approach to rap was received with mixed reviews. However, even though the album was not a commercial success like Harlem World, 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 for a short time had recorded for G-Unit. He has since said that working with the group was not something he regrets, but that the message he was sending was a mistake. He joined G-Unit 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-Unit, 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 50, Diddy refused to let Mase out of his contract with Bad Boy 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-Unit.
[edit] Second comeback
Following the formula that worked for him 13 years earlier, Mase has begun to appear on popular R&B artists' remixes. In early June 2009, he was featured on the last verse of "Uptown Boy" by Harry O, signed to The Inc., which also features Ron Browz. Weeks later, Mase appeared on a street remix for Drake's "Best I Ever Had." Mase stated that since the death of Michael Jackson 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, 2009, Mase appeared on the remix to Trey Songz' 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."
In October 2009, Mase appeared on a live on-air interview on V-103 with appearance release forms to Bad Boy Records which he gave to Diddy in the middle of the interview for his signature. Diddy signed the forms and was quoted: "He has the freedom to go do whatever he wants to do." However, the forms do not end Mase's contractual obligations to Bad Boy Records, but rather allow him to appear on songs with artists from other labels.[3]
The best known is the rapper, whose extensive Wikipedia page has been partly copied below.
Mason Durell Betha (born August 27, 1975),[1] better known by stage name Mase (often typeset as Ma$e) who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker. He was an artist on Sean "Diddy" Combs's hip hop label Bad Boy Records. 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's debut single, "Only You", 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[citation needed] slow flow, Mase quickly developed a crossover fan base as he was featured on original tracks, as well as remixes, by popular R&B artists such as Brian McKnight, Mariah Carey, Keith Sweat, and Brandy, among others. Puff Daddy (Diddy) featured Mase on "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" from The Notorious B.I.G.'s double-LP Life After Death, 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", which hit number one on the Rap, R&B, and Pop charts, as well as on "Been Around the World", which would also reach number one on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks. By the time Mase released his own debut album, Harlem World, in late 1997, the rapper had become Bad Boy's premier artist, filling the void left by the death of Biggie Smalls. He is married to Twyla Betha and leads an international ministry.
Contents
[hide]
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 Harlem World
2.2 Double Up and retirement
2.3 Return to music and subsequent controversy
2.4 Second comeback
3 Discography
3.1 Albums
3.2 Compilations
3.3 Official Mixtapes
3.4 Filmography
4 References
5 External links
[edit] Early life
Rapper Mase was born Mason Durell Betha in Jacksonville, Florida on August 27, 1975, moved to Harlem, New York City with his family at age five, returned to Florida at age 13, and then moved back to Harlem two years later.[1] Betha was a point guard for the Manhattan Center High School basketball team and in 1993 he performed as "Murder Mase" in a rap group called Children of the Corn which also included successful solo artists Big L and Cam'ron (at the time known as Killa Cam). Of his ten childhood friends, eight were murdered and two went to prison. While attending SUNY Purchase, Mase met hip hop producer Country, was introduced to producer Sean Combs, and dropped out of college to pursue a rap career.[2]
[edit] Career
[edit] Harlem World
Mase's first solo LP, '"Harlem World"', debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[1]
[edit] Double Up and retirement
Mase's sophomore effort, Double Up, was released in 1999 and distributed by Bad Boy Records and sold 107,000 copies in its first week, debuting at #11. Though it reached #5 when popular rap music was dominated by Master P and his No-Limit crew. Double Up also featured much more aggressive material. Perhaps no other sign was as clear as a line in the last song of the album, "From Scratch": "If I could do it all again, I'd do it all for Christ."
On April 20, 1999, during an interview with Funkmaster Flex on New York radio station Hot 97, Mase announced his retirement from music to pursue "a calling from God." He felt he was leading people, friends, kids and others down a path to hell, stating that he left to find God in his heart and follow him.[citation needed] He declared it was time for him to serve God in his way, saying rap was not real and that he wanted to deal with reality, and that he had become unhappy with what he did, no matter how much it paid.[citation needed]
[edit] 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 Nelly's "In My Life," as well as the remix to Fat Joe's "Lean Back".
Mase's third album, Welcome Back, 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 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." This new approach to rap was received with mixed reviews. However, even though the album was not a commercial success like Harlem World, 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 for a short time had recorded for G-Unit. He has since said that working with the group was not something he regrets, but that the message he was sending was a mistake. He joined G-Unit 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-Unit, 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 50, Diddy refused to let Mase out of his contract with Bad Boy for anything less than $2 million. Uncertain that Mase's album would sell well enough to make up for that type of investment, 50 gave up on trying to bring Mase onto G-Unit.
[edit] Second comeback
Following the formula that worked for him 13 years earlier, Mase has begun to appear on popular R&B artists' remixes. In early June 2009, he was featured on the last verse of "Uptown Boy" by Harry O, signed to The Inc., which also features Ron Browz. Weeks later, Mase appeared on a street remix for Drake's "Best I Ever Had." Mase stated that since the death of Michael Jackson it has lit the fire inside him and he is ready to come back. He appeared on Power 105.1 to have a phone conversation with "The Prince of New York" DJ Self to discuss his latest attempt at a comeback. During this interaction, former-friend-turned-rival, Jim Jones, called in to make peace and hinted at the possibility of the two working together in the near future. Mase would then use that very radio show as his outlet to release new music throughout the rest of the summer as he'd have a new song or feature premiere every Friday on DJ Self's show. On July 3, 2009, Mase appeared on the remix to Trey Songz' hit single "I Need A Girl," where he shouts out "And Diddy told them that '10 years from now we'll still be on top. I thought I told you that we won't stop," referring to the line on "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems."
In October 2009, Mase appeared on a live on-air interview on V-103 with appearance release forms to Bad Boy Records which he gave to Diddy in the middle of the interview for his signature. Diddy signed the forms and was quoted: "He has the freedom to go do whatever he wants to do." However, the forms do not end Mase's contractual obligations to Bad Boy Records, but rather allow him to appear on songs with artists from other labels.[3]
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Mase Lyrics
24 Hrs to Live I want you to ask yourself one question If you had…
All Around the World Yo, yo, this Ma$e, you know what I'm sayin'? You got…
All I Ever Wanted Uh uh Get Money all over again Get Money all over again Get…
Another Story to Tell Yo, since I been in this game, yo Alot of funny…
Award Show [Announcer] And the award goes to... The pretty boy himself …
Baby Baby Baby It was December 24 on hollis after the dark My man…
Been Around the World Yo, yo, this Ma$e, you know what I'm sayin'? You got…
Blood Is Thicker [Mase] What what For my family nigga This for…
Body Rock See when we get on shit we like to make…
Breath Stretch Shake Intro: Uh This is what I sound like after 5 years (You back…
Breathe Stretch Intro: Uh This is what I sound like after 5 years (You ba…
Breathe Stretch Shake Intro: Uh This is what I sound like after 5 years (You back…
Breathe, Stretch, Shake (feat. P. Diddy) [Intro] Uh This is what I sound like after 5 years (You back…
Can't Nobody Hold Me Down (Bad Boy) (We ain't gon' stop) Now with Sean on the hot…
Cheat On You Yo, yo Yo, if you gonna hit niggaz girl just…
Check Cleared Yayo Buck Spider Loc Banks M O B B M.O.P 50 Cent Yaw niggaz…
Crew of the year Yo, throw the beat on Yeah, yeah, yeah Trackmaster Harlem Wo…
Dance With Me I come awake with a gift for all mankind You're still…
Do It Again Yeah, yeah yeah Uh huh I wanna do it again And again and…
Do You Remember Oooohhh...yeah yeah Hands in the sky And put 'em up hiiigh. …
Do You Remember (feat. Cardan) shake the world oh oh...yeah yeah..hands in the sky now put …
Do You Wanna Get Uh, uh, come on, uh It be the same cats…
Do you Wanna Get $- Uh, uh, come on, uh It be the same cats…
Don't Know It's 50, It's the Unit, that means it's money, ha…
Don't Need Security Yea, you know how i never remember a gangsta havin…
f Yo, I look scared? Huh? Teamsters, I look scared in here?…
Feel So Good You ready Mase? Party people in the place to be (uh-huh) It'…
For You Yeah, how many niggas that'll die for you? How many get…
Freestyle Yo Yo Yo Uh Yo this is deadass like my first…
From Scratch [Mase] Yo just think if you could rewind time…
Fuck Me Fuck You [Mase] Yo, I look scared? Huh? Teamsters, I look scared in h…
Gat Man [Ma$e talking] I know why we dont get along Its lonely at…
Get It What sense does it make to Talk and not listen Shine eye…
Get Ready See, the difference with me When I do what I do…
Get Ready (feat. Blackstreet) [Intro] See, the difference with me When I do what I do I…
Get Ready Ft Blackstreet See, the difference with me When I do what I do…
Gettin [Mase] How 'my complain na? When I'm as pretty…
Goin' Back to ATL Huh? (damn) i said NY! Okay, okay harlem (Come on) Where you…
Goin' Back To Harlem Huh, I said NY, OK OK, HARLEM! Where you at i…
Gotta Survive I don't regret nothing that I have ever done At this…
Harlem Yea Yea Com on Man I just do what the doers…
Hater Bitches is drop dead gorgeous, yo What's up with Mase, B? Wh…
Hold Me Down (Bad Boy) (We ain't gon' stop) Now with Sean on the hot…
Honey Oh, now you can have me When you want me You simply…
I Do the Impossible Look at how I move what I do Yeah, I get it…
I DON'T KNOW OFFICER VERSE It's 50, It's the Unit, that means it's money, ha…
I Need to Be Yo Carl man come here lemme school you…
I Owe [Intro:] Uh, uh, come on Yeah, yeah, Come on Yeah, here we g…
I Wanna Go Hey i juss want to see you doin good From the…
Ice I'm ice cold Neck and my wrist I need em froze Open my…
If You Want To Party [Intro] What the fuck? '99, get your name back nigga (Get y…
Into [Verse 1] You know I neva had time for the he…
Intro Hmm Yeah The year is 1997 The place, New York, New…
Jail Visit [Mase:] Yo, yo check it, when we go in to see…
Jealous Guy You know, there's a lot of jealous guys in this…
Jesus Walks Order, huh Yeah, uh Uh, uh, uh, uh Jesus, Jesus, talk to me…
Keep It On "Keep It On" Do the thing man Fo real, dont stop (And I…
Lookin at Me Ayo Mase, you know what I don't like? (Why you…
Lookin' at Me (feat. Puff Daddy) [Puff Daddy] Hey yo Mase, you know what I don't like? (Why…
Love Me I come awake with a gift for all mankind You're still…
Love U So (This is not Mase) (Ooh) (Ayy-yeah) Yo, now hum all you wan…
MAD RAPPER And welcome back from that commercial break Um, I found out…
Mad Rapper (interlude) And welcome back from that commercial break Um I found out…
Mad Rapper Interlude And welcome back from that commercial break Um, I found out…
Make Me Cry Oh daddy You know you make me cry You make me cry,…
Mase I been feeling empty I keep tryna help me Bustin out the…
Mase- Feels So Good You ready Mase? Party people in the place to be (uh-huh) It'…
Mo Money Mo Problems I'm coming out I'm coming I'm coming out I'm coming Now, wh…
Mo' Money Mo' Problems Now, who's hot, who not? Tell me who rock, who sell…
Money Comes and Goes [Mase] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Get money, make money Why's it…
My Harlem Lullaby Yea Yea Com on Man I just do what the doers…
Niggaz Done Started Sumthin' Yo, ay yo let's get papers and pop Mo' with…
Niggaz Wanna Act Yo, check this out right (c'mon, c'mon) Harlem on the rise A…
No Matter What [Puff] Yeah here we go [Mase] Uh Uh Let's…
Not The Kids Loon: Uh, uh, uh, uh, what Let's talk about it Yeah, yeah…
Nothing All my ladies in the club with their own money Now…
One Big Fiesta [Featuring Mase] Ma$e: All Out we don't stop …
Only You I thought I told you that we won't stop I…
Phone Conversation (Yo Dre, get the phone) Chill Dre, I got it, hello? Hello? …
Phone Conversation (interlude) [phone ringing] Dre get the phone! [Mase:] Chill Dre I got …
Player Way No one expected the unexpected (uh uh) You know what I'm…
Psycho! I might just go psycho Too many drunk white hoes I might…
Puff Hmm Yeah The year is 1997 The place, New York, New…
Puff's Intro [Featuring Puff Daddy] Spoken Intro (Puff Daddy) Hmm yeah…
Really Like It You make me feel... It's the real thing girl! Talk about it,…
Same Niggas [Intro] Uh yeah yeah Shit is crazy …
Sittin' on Top of the World Brandy, Dark Child Mase get Harlem on the rise Come on, come…
Stay Out My Way [Intro] Hey yo dogs for real? I'm yo'…
Story To Tell Yo, since I been in this game, yo Alot of funny…
Take What Yo, I be that young fly fellow, got thorough Down…
Tell Me What You Tell me what you want (repeat 5x) Chorus Tell me what you…
That's The Way Oh, that's the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh…
The Love You Need Hey what's up? Yo I been tryin to call you all…
The Oracle Uh uh uh, yeah, now we in Imagine 20 years with…
The Player Way No one expected the unexpected (uh uh) You know what I'm…
Top of the World Brandy, Dark Child Mase get Harlem on the rise Come on, come…
Wanna Hurt Mase Do you really wanna hurt Mase? Or do you really wanna…
Wasting My Time H-world, keep dreaming Keep working, working, don't stop Kee…
Watch Your Back This Mase, what up? Yo, Mase I'ma make this short and…
Watch Your Back (interlude) This Mase, what up? Yo Mase I'ma make this short and…
We Got It Uh, check it, check it Aiyo, it's very rare that you…
Welcome Back Welcome back, welcome back Welcome back Welcome back (Oh! O…
What A Player Do Yeah, we back again, baby E'body wanna do what a playa…
What You Want Tell me what you want (oh) Tell me what you want…
What You Want (feat. Total) [Total] Tell me what you want Tell me what you want Just tel…
What You Want ft Total Tell me what you want (oh) Tell me what you want…
white girl I told them I was gonna give them a call,…
White Girl (interlude) I told them I was gonna give them a call…
Will They Die 4 U Yeah, how many niggas that'll die for you? How many get…
Will They Die 4 You? (ft. Puff Yeah how many niggas that'll die for u How many…
Will They Die For You Yeah [1] - How many niggas that'll die for you How…
Will They Die For You? Yeah, how many niggas that'll die for you? How many get…
You Ain [Intro] What, what What, what, what (H-World) What, what, wh…
You Should Be Mine [Mase] Mase and Brian McKnight Bay boy we don't' stop, we ro…