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]
Check Cleared
Mase Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buck
Spider Loc
Banks
M O B B
M.O.P
50 Cent
Don′t make me wake the building up
Ha ha, yea yea
Check Cleared 1 2 1 2
Check Cleared 1 2 1 2
Mase, you got the money? hahahaha!
Check Cleared 1 2 1 2
Check Cleared 1 2 1 2
G-G-G-G-you know what it is nigga
Yea, yea
I got my own money nigga
Got no?????
Samurai the roof cuz my coop was stuffy
Call cue
You know what to do
Nigga put grandy on the phone
You know the whole used to love me talk slick
The corners tuck me
In the ATF and the church and the nigga come cuff me
Whats beef
You dont see me
Run up on couger
Whats beef
Shots in the window
Dat deep in ya rouger
Whats beef
A nigga see you 10 cars down
Run that car down
And do something to ya
And ya man joy riding
He better injoy hiding
Why?
Or he gon wish he never knew ya
I take a dime from the sewer
To a wine conniseur
Why she like mase
Nigga my shine kinda bluer
You wonder why she wanna creep with the fella
You know the ice
The more the money
The deeper the yellow
And I'm the first one to get brains
And niggaz came in this game
And still trick change
And i aint got to explain
Broads run for the G4
Cuz they can′t afford to miss pain
And the boy been in this lane
Fo' my nigga fif came
Never touch biscane
At a silly risk game
And now the world is talking right
My last chamberly mors tonight
But she still stuck on Mase
She still slidin off tonight
And for that
She gon be horsed tonight
She said
Mase im more like the swallowing type
You probably right
But im more the supermodeling type
And i still got the babyface
Without the beard yet
Son a millionaire
He aint even read the year yet
No plane baby seat
Hanging on the leg yet
Call UPS
Ask em if the check cleared yet
Mic check 1 2 1 2
Forget the mic
Check cleared 1 2 1 2
(Check check)
The world keep askin what is this
Mase just back to buisness (lets go)
G-g-g-g-you know what it is nigga
G-g-g-g-you know what it is nigga
Ha ha
Dont make me wake the whole building up
Check cleared 1 2 1 2(check check)
Check cleared 1 2 1 2(check check)
Im so far from yaw niggaz
My sandwiches got red letters
The lyrics of Mase's song Check Cleared depict the rapper boasting about his wealth and success in the music industry. He mentions his ability to buy expensive cars and jewelry, and he makes derogatory remarks about women who are attracted to men with large amounts of money. The lyrics also contain profanity and references to violence, with Mase rapping about his ability to harm those who are a threat to him.
Throughout the song, Mase makes references to other rappers and hip-hop groups, including Yayo, Buck, Spider Loc, Banks, M O B B, M.O.P, and 50 Cent. He also mentions a character named Grandy, who he instructs the listener to put on the phone. The lyrics suggest that Grandy may be an associate or a rival of Mase's.
The chorus of the song repeatedly emphasizes the idea that Mase's checks have cleared, reinforcing the image of him as a wealthy and successful artist. Overall, the lyrics exhibit a sense of bravado and entitlement that is common in many rap songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Yaw niggaz know what it is man
Addressing the listeners, Mase assumes they are already aware of what he is about to talk about.
Don't make me wake the building up
Mase is warning others not to force him to make noise and alert the whole neighborhood.
Check Cleared 1 2 1 2
Mase is announcing to everyone that his check has cleared.
Mase, you got the money? hahahaha!
Someone is asking Mase if he has received the money, and Mase confirms that he has with a laugh.
G-G-G-G-you know what it is nigga
Once again, Mase asserts that everyone knows what he's talking about.
I got my own money nigga
Mase emphasizes that he has his own money and doesn't need to rely on others for it.
Samurai the roof cuz my coop was stuffy
Mase rolls down the sunroof because it's too hot inside the car.
Call cue, You know what to do
Mase directs his assistant, Cue, to complete a task involving money.
Nigga put grandy on the phone, You know the whole used to love me talk slick
Mase asks his associate to get in touch with someone named Grandy, someone who used to speak highly of Mase.
The corners tuck me, In the ATF and the church and the nigga come cuff me
Mase says that whether he is in the streets or in official buildings like the ATF or a church, he's always cautious about being caught and taken into custody by law enforcement.
Whats beef, You dont see me
Mase brushes off any beef or conflict that others may have with him. To him, it's not worth his time or energy.
Run up on couger
Mase references an incident where someone tried to attack him (the 'cougar'), but it didn't work out in their favor.
Shots in the window, Dat deep in ya rouger
Mase describes how someone shot his car's window and caused damage to it.
A nigga see you 10 cars down, Run that car down, And do something to ya
Someone threatens to chase Mase down and harm him, even if it's from a distance away.
And ya man joy riding, He better injoy hiding, Why? Or he gon wish he never knew ya
Mase warns that even someone who's just with him for a joy ride might end up regretting it if something goes wrong.
I take a dime from the sewer, To a wine conniseur
Mase has gone from a small-time drug dealer to someone who appreciates fine wine.
Why she like mase, Nigga my shine kinda bluer
Mase wonders why women are drawn to him and suggests that it might have to do with his impressive jewelry.
You know the ice, The more the money, The deeper the yellow
Mase implies that the more expensive his jewelry, the more women (or 'yellows') are attracted to him.
And I'm the first one to get brains
Mase claims to be the first rapper to receive oral sex from a woman.
And niggaz came in this game, And still trick change
Mase notes that many other rappers still have to deceive others or engage in illegal activity to make money, but he doesn't have to.
And i aint got to explain
Mase doesn't feel like he needs to justify his wealth or how he obtained it to anyone else.
Broads run for the G4, Cuz they can't afford to miss pain
Women want to be with Mase so they can ride on his private jet and avoid experiencing any negative events.
And the boy been in this lane, Fo' my nigga fif came, Never touch biscane, At a silly risk game
Mase has been in the rap game for a while and never had to risk anything (like cocaine or betting at a high-risk game) to get to where he is today.
And now the world is talking right
Mase believes that the world is finally recognizing his talents and success.
My last chamberly mors tonight
Mase is wrapping up his career in music and this might be his last performance (his 'last chamberly mors').
But she still stuck on Mase, She still slidin off tonight
Even though Mase is retiring, he has someone who is still interested in being with him (physically).
And for that, She gon be horsed tonight
Mase is going to really satisfy his partner.
She said, Mase im more like the swallowing type, You probably right, But im more the supermodeling type
Someone who's with Mase prefers to swallow, but Mase thinks that they would make for a great supermodel.
And i still got the babyface, Without the beard yet
Mase still looks young without any facial hair.
Son a millionaire, He aint even read the year yet
Mase has already made a lot of money without even working for an entire year yet.
No plane baby seat, Hanging on the leg yet
Mase doesn't have any children yet and doesn't have any responsibility to take care of a family.
Call UPS, Ask em if the check cleared yet
Mase is telling someone to check with UPS to make sure that a check he was expecting has cleared.
Mic check 1 2 1 2, Forget the mic
Mase starts to rap as if he's about to perform, but then switches gears and tells everyone to forget about the microphone.
The world keep askin what is this, Mase just back to business
People are still confused about what Mase is doing with his career, but he's ready to get back to work.
G-g-g-g-you know what it is nigga
One last time, Mase reasserts that everyone knows what he's about and his level of success.
Ha ha, Don't make me wake the whole building up
Mase repeats his warning not to cause any trouble that would attract unwanted attention.
Check cleared 1 2 1 2(check check)
A final reminder that Mase's check has cleared.
Im so far from yaw niggaz, My sandwiches got red letters
Mase is on a different level from those around him and can afford to have customized sandwiches with red letters (possibly indicating that they are a special edition).
Contributed by Isabelle S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kananibush8424
HEAT!
WE WANT MORE MASE!
@ezzydric
This verse is so hard
@Maal7432
I remember this shit. Mase is that nigga.
@reynaldogonzalez5394
This is fire
@5846films
Who's listening in 2020? #CheckCleared1212
@IXIRob_MarleyIXI
Whoooooo Kiiiiiiiiiiid 💯
@thefatalveli1
This shit Classic
@anthonythomas1038
My man Mase Murda.
@FrostedUndead
2023
@eljayswilling1282
I miss 2006 R.I.P to every one who is in thugz mansion 74 criminal b-more careful Eastside westside 21215 21205