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]
Do It Again
Mase Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Puff]
Yeah yeah yeah
I'm gonna do it again
And again and again and again
And again and again and again
Won't stop it can't stop
Won't stop can't stop
[Mase]
Double Up Bad Boy
Double Up H world it's not a game
You know no matter where you go
There's no duo that you know
Get loot though and still love the chulo's
We talk more spinnin' girls our coolo
Than any other members and you're part of my new dough
[Puff]
Get where mad cats live and pray
I don't like where I'm at? Call a Lear, get away
[Mase]
y'all lay away, I pay and get the day (Uh huh)
Things you save for, I probably give away (Yeah)
[Puff]
And with Puff? Who woulda think
Plain Jesus piece, diamond Cuban Link
Salvation Army when I'm through with the mink
I buy the whole bar, my crew don't even drink
(Don't even drink)
[Mase]
We do sets behind the 'neck
That's my Denale right behind the Lex
Like girls that find their sex get all kinda respect
When I'm 40, I'mma get all kinda checks
1 - [Puff]
You want us do it again? (Yeah)
'cause we can do it again (Uh huh)
You want us do it again?
All you gotta say is do it again (Do it again)
You want us do it again? (Yeah)
'cause we can do it again (Uh huh)
You want us do it again?
All you gotta say is do it again (Do it again)
[Puff]
Spend big, you spend a little
So I take what's big and you take what's little
I bring a full stage straight up the middle
Girl too tight? Break the middle
Now, why be the illest if your money ain't the realist?
Mad cats hate on me, mad girls feel it
Cut a chick off, let Mase mess wit' her
Pre-num these girls so I'm never stuck wit' her
want to coup our group nine eight car
Doin' 20 in a Bentley even wit' out a radar
You minor, I'm major, I don't play par
I'm a shining pay star with diamonds from Quasar
Peep all your script, I don't want to pay y'all
Let me tear wit' my kids, it's what your days are
How to act, you duck infrared laser
So my sympathy goes out to the lady that made y'all, yeah
Repeat 1
[Mase]
Yo, marchin' around the world and met an old man
That had ice like Frosty the Snowman
And though my name Mase, what does it mean?
Dolla sign, no matter what I do, make C.R.E.A.M.
Out of famine steak greens, Miller A-teams
And grew up pretty 'cause my pop got great genes
I hold it down now that B.I.G. gone
I hit butt naked and then keep my kicks on
I don't get my Cris on, I throw a brick on some young bad chick
That lolly probably flipped on
You better get goin', you want to live long
Can't nobody protect me like my tres cinco siete
If you front, you'll just read about it next day
I'm that cat you know you got killer respect
Stay out my way if you're feelin' my threat
You'll know it's real when you face feel a Gillette
And I come through the club with your deal on my neck, come on
All Out
All Out, Bad Boy
What
All Out, All Out
Let's go
Repeat 1 until fade
The song "Do It Again" by Mase featuring Puff Daddy is a track that celebrates their success, wealth, and influence in the music industry. The song is heavily focused on materialism and their extravagant lifestyles. Puff Daddy starts the song by saying "I'm gonna do it again" multiple times, emphasizing that he has already achieved a lot in his life, but he's not going to stop there. Mase then jumps in with his own verse, proclaiming their dominance in the industry and the fact that they love their luxuries. Throughout the song, they reference their wealth, their expensive cars, and their diamond-encrusted jewelry.
The underlying message of the song appears to be that materialism and success are the most important things in life. Puff Daddy and Mase don't shy away from boasting about their wealth and success, almost flaunting their accomplishments in the faces of their listeners. The chorus, which repeats several times throughout the song, reinforces this message, asking if the listener wants them to "do it again" and reminding them that they are capable of achieving greatness.
Overall, "Do It Again" is a song that celebrates success and the lavish lifestyle that often accompanies it. It's a song that encourages listeners to embrace their material desires and strive to achieve their own version of success. However, the song also highlights the potential pitfalls of such a lifestyle, with references to jealousy and danger (e.g. Puff Daddy's mention of needing to "duck infrared lasers.")
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah yeah
Expressing agreement/satisfaction
Uh huh
Expressing agreement/affirmation
I'm gonna do it again
I will repeat my success
And again and again and again
Repeatedly doing it again
Won't stop it can't stop
Will not, cannot be stopped
Double Up Bad Boy
More success for Bad Boy
Double Up H world it's not a game
More success for Harlem World
You know no matter where you go
The success follows everywhere
There's no duo that you know
There is no partnership that can match ours
Get loot though and still love the chulo's
Making money but still staying true to our roots
We talk more spinnin' girls our coolo
We brag about the girls we attract
Than any other members and you're part of my new dough
We are getting more success than anyone else and you are getting your share too
Get where mad cats live and pray
Going where the most successful people are
I don't like where I'm at? Call a Lear, get away
Leaving a place one doesn't fancy by calling a jet
y'all lay away, I pay and get the day (Uh huh)
Buying things outright while others save up for it
Things you save for, I probably give away (Yeah)
What others save up for, I can easily give away
And with Puff? Who woulda think
No one thought Puff could become so successful
Plain Jesus piece, diamond Cuban Link
Simple jewelry with a diamond chain
Salvation Army when I'm through with the mink
Donating used clothes after use
I buy the whole bar, my crew don't even drink
Buying drinks for others even though his crew doesn't drink
We do sets behind the 'neck
Wearing a necklace on the back of the neck
That's my Denale right behind the Lex
Referring to his expensive cars
Like girls that find their sex get all kinda respect
Women who are confident get more respect
When I'm 40, I'mma get all kinda checks
Planning to continue being successful long-term
You want us do it again? (Yeah)
Asking if they should repeat their success
'cause we can do it again (Uh huh)
Having confidence in their ability to repeat success
All you gotta say is do it again (Do it again)
Only need word from others to continue succeeding
Spend big, you spend a little
Spending a lot when others spend just a little
So I take what's big and you take what's little
Taking the biggest piece of the pie
I bring a full stage straight up the middle
Being the center of attention
Girl too tight? Break the middle
Persisting even in difficult situations
Now, why be the illest if your money ain't the realist?
Being the best in every aspect, including money
Mad cats hate on me, mad girls feel it
Haters gonna hate, but women will still be attracted
Cut a chick off, let Mase mess wit' her
Leaving a woman for his friend to date
Pre-num these girls so I'm never stuck wit' her
Refusing to get attached to women to avoid being stuck with them
want to coup our group nine eight car
Dreaming of getting a 98 car for the group
Doin' 20 in a Bentley even wit' out a radar
Driving a Bentley without need for a radar
You minor, I'm major, I don't play par
Being a big player in the game
I'm a shining pay star with diamonds from Quasar
Being the biggest, brightest, and most valuable of all
Peep all your script, I don't want to pay y'all
Refusing to pay those who don't meet his standards
Let me tear wit' my kids, it's what your days are
Focusing on family and children
How to act, you duck infrared laser
Knowing how to avoid danger
So my sympathy goes out to the lady that made y'all, yeah
Respect for the mother who raised others
Yo, marchin' around the world and met an old man
Talking about his travels around the world
That had ice like Frosty the Snowman
Met a man with a lot of jewelry
And though my name Mase, what does it mean?
Reflecting on the meaning of his stage name
Dolla sign, no matter what I do, make C.R.E.A.M.
Money is always on his mind
Out of famine steak greens, Miller A-teams
Rising from a tough situation
And grew up pretty 'cause my pop got great genes
Being naturally attractive due to his father's genes
I hold it down now that B.I.G. gone
Fulfilling the legacy of a deceased friend
I hit butt naked and then keep my kicks on
Being confident even when partially nude
I don't get my Cris on, I throw a brick on some young bad chick
Preferring tougher-looking women over fancy drinks
That lolly probably flipped on
Implying the woman is a prostitute
You better get goin', you want to live long
Advocating for self-preservation
Can't nobody protect me like my tres cinco siete
Only trusting himself and his gun
If you front, you'll just read about it next day
Threatening anyone who would dare cross him
I'm that cat you know you got killer respect
Being respected as someone who can kill if necessary
Stay out my way if you're feelin' my threat
Warning others to stay away if they feel threatened
You'll know it's real when you face feel a Gillette
His threat is real and painful
And I come through the club with your deal on my neck, come on
Being successful and flashy with his jewelry
All Out
Fully committed
What
Expressing surprise
Let's go
Encouraging others to join him in action
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker, Donald Fagen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind