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]
Feel So Good
Mase Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Party people in the place to be (uh-huh)
It's about that time for us to (yeah, uh-huh)
Yo, what you know about goin' out
Head west, red Lex, TV's all up in the headrest
Try and live it up, ride you a bigger truck
Piece all glittered up, stick up kid, nigga, what?
Hoes' ride, get your nut 'til I can't get it up
I'm a big man, give this man room
I'd a hit everything, from Cancun to Grant's tomb
Why you standin' on the wall? Hand on your balls
Lighting up drugs, always fightin' in the club
I'm the reason they made the dress code
They figure I wouldn't wild when I'm in my fresh clothes (come on)
Dress as I suppose, from my neck to my toes
Neck full of gold, baguettes in in my Rolls
Wreck shows, collect those, extra O's
Buy the E, get a key, to the Lex to hold
East, West, every state, come on, bury the hate
Millions, the only thing we in a hurry to make
Whether friend or ex-friend in a Lex or a Benz
Let's begin, bring this BS to an end (come on)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (yeah)
You make me feel so good (bad boy)
You know you make me feel so good (yeah)
You know you make me feel so good (that's what we do)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (come on)
I wouldn't change you if I could
I wouldn't change you if I could (yeah)
I wouldn't change you if I could (ah-ah, come on)
You can't understand, we be Waikiki
Sippin' DP 'til the TV look 3D
Little kids see me, way out in DC
With a Z3, chrome BB's, they wanna be me
Nigga's talkin' shit they ought to quit
I'm fortunate they don't see a fourth what I get
And those be the same ones walkin' while I whip
Just started seeing cars 'cause they auctioned it
So while you daydream, my Mercedes gleam
And I deal with hoes that pose in Maybelline
One time you had it all, I ain't mad at y'all
Now give me the catalog
I'll show you how daddy ball (that's right)
Six cars and power to fire big stars
Sit up CEO style, smokin' on cigars, nigga
It's like y'all be talkin' funny
I don't understand language of people with short money (come on now)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (yeah)
You make me feel so good (come on)
You know you make me feel so good
You know you make me feel so good (that's what we do)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (yeah)
I wouldn't change you if I could
I wouldn't change you if I could (come on)
I wouldn't change you if I could (ah-ah)
Do Mase got the ladies? (Yeah, yeah)
Do Puff drive Mercedes? (Yeah, yeah)
Take hits from the 80's? (Yeah, yeah)
But do it sound so crazy? (Yeah, yeah)
Well, me personally, it's nothin' personal
I do what work for me, you do what work for you
And I dress with what I was blessed with
Never been arrested for nothin' domestic
And I chill the way you met me
With a jet ski attached to a SE, smoke my Nestle
No mad rap-ASCAP, where my check be?
Problem with y'all I say it directly (that's right)
Went from hard to sweet, starved to eat
From no hoes at shows to ménage in suites
Now I be the cat that be hard to meet
Gettin' head from girls that used to hardly speak (come on)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy
You make me feel so good (uh-huh)
You know you make me feel so good (bad boy)
You know you make me feel so good (that's what we do)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (yeah)
I wouldn't change you if I could (ah-ah)
I wouldn't change you if I could (come on)
I wouldn't change you if I could (let's go)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (yeah)
You make me feel so good (uh-huh)
You know you make me feel so good
You know you make me feel so good (come on)
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (don't stop)
I wouldn't change you if I could (ah-ah)
I wouldn't change you if I could
I wouldn't change you if I could (ah-ah)
Mase's song "Feel So Good" is a classic upbeat hip-hop song that features his typical rhymes and Puff Daddy's ad-libs. The lyrics depict a lifestyle of luxury, fun, and excitement with lines like "Head west, red Lex, TV's all up in the headrest," and "I deal with hoes that pose in Maybelline." Mase raps about his elevated status and financial success, and how he enjoys spending that wealth. He acknowledges that he is famous and is aware of his impact on the social fabric and dress codes for events he attends.
Amidst all the glamorous and boastful verses, Mase also reveals a more grounded attitude towards life. He mentions that he has never been arrested for anything domestic and is content with living the way he met himself - this juxtaposes the idea that his success and wealths have changed him as a person.
In conclusion, "Feel So Good" is a song celebrating Mase's luxurious lifestyle and the success he has attained. It also encourages the listener to live their best life and make the most of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Party people in the place to be (uh-huh)
Addressing the crowd and getting them hyped up.
Yo, what you know about goin' out
Challenging the listener's experience and knowledge.
Head west, red Lex, TV's all up in the headrest
Describing his luxurious lifestyle and taste in cars.
Try and live it up, ride you a bigger truck
Encouraging the listener to enjoy life and indulge in material possessions.
Piece all glittered up, stick up kid, nigga, what?
Boasting about his flashy jewelry and addressing anyone who might try to rob him.
Jig with a cut sip Cris? Spit it up (come on)
Referring to his dancing style and champagne preference, and encouraging others to join in.
Hoes' ride, get your nut 'til I can't get it up
Being sexually promiscuous and emphasizing his virility.
I'm a big man, give this man room
Asserting his dominance and requesting personal space.
I'd a hit everything, from Cancun to Grant's tomb
Boasting about his sexual conquests all over the world.
Why you standin' on the wall? Hand on your balls
Challenging anyone who isn't dancing or participating in the party.
Lighting up drugs, always fightin' in the club
Describing the negative behavior he witnesses in clubs.
I'm the reason they made the dress code
Taking credit for influencing dress codes at clubs and events.
They figure I wouldn't wild when I'm in my fresh clothes (come on)
Implying that he can still be wild and rebellious even when dressed nicely.
Dress as I suppose, from my neck to my toes
Describing his impeccable sense of style.
Neck full of gold, baguettes in in my Rolls
Boasting about his expensive jewelry and luxury car.
Wreck shows, collect those, extra O's
Bragging about how much money he makes from his performances.
Buy the E, get a key, to the Lex to hold
Referring to purchasing ecstasy, and relating it to buying a luxury car.
East, West, every state, come on, bury the hate
Encouraging listeners to ignore regional and personal differences and unite.
Millions, the only thing we in a hurry to make
Stressing the importance of making money.
Whether friend or ex-friend in a Lex or a Benz
Stating that he doesn't care about past relationships or what car someone drives.
Let's begin, bring this BS to an end (come on)
Starting something new and getting rid of any negativity or drama.
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (yeah)
Referring to himself and his bad boy image.
You make me feel so good (bad boy)
Acknowledging that his success and fame make him feel good.
I wouldn't change you if I could
Not wanting to change his persona or image.
You can't understand, we be Waikiki
Implying that his lifestyle and travels are too luxurious for others to comprehend.
Sippin' DP 'til the TV look 3D
Drinking Dom Perignon and living in luxury.
Little kids see me, way out in DC
Children are impressed by his fame and presence outside of his hometown.
With a Z3, chrome BB's, they wanna be me
Boasting about his flashy car and how it makes others want to emulate him.
Nigga's talkin' shit they ought to quit
Calling out anyone who talks negatively about him.
I'm fortunate they don't see a fourth what I get
Grateful that his wealth is not widely known and that he can avoid being a target of theft or violence.
And those be the same ones walkin' while I whip
Those who talk bad about him are not as successful or wealthy as he is.
Just started seeing cars 'cause they auctioned it
Implying that others are only buying nice cars because they were sold at a discount at an auction.
So while you daydream, my Mercedes gleam
Boasting about his luxury car and implying that others are only dreaming of having one.
And I deal with hoes that pose in Maybelline
Bringing attention to his ability to attract beautiful women who wear makeup.
One time you had it all, I ain't mad at y'all
Acknowledging that some people were successful in the past, but are no longer as successful as he is.
Now give me the catalog
Asking for a list of what they have achieved or accomplished.
I'll show you how daddy ball (that's right)
Promising to show them how to be successful and wealthy like him.
Six cars and power to fire big stars
Boasting about his wealth and ability to control the careers of other successful people.
Sit up CEO style, smokin' on cigars, nigga
Living like a CEO and enjoying luxury items like cigars.
It's like y'all be talkin' funny
Implying that those without wealth or success are not worth taking seriously.
I don't understand language of people with short money (come on now)
Expressing a lack of understanding or patience for those who don't have as much money or success as he does.
Do Mase got the ladies? (Yeah, yeah)
Asking if he is popular with women.
Do Puff drive Mercedes? (Yeah, yeah)
Asking if Puff Daddy is successful and wealthy.
Take hits from the 80's? (Yeah, yeah)
Asking if he is a drug user.
But do it sound so crazy? (Yeah, yeah)
Suggesting that doing drugs is not a big deal in his social circle.
Well, me personally, it's nothin' personal
Clarifying that he is not attacking anyone personally.
I do what work for me, you do what work for you
Stating that people should do what is best for them without worrying about what others think or do.
And I dress with what I was blessed with
Emphasizing that he dresses nicely because he has the means to do so.
Never been arrested for nothin' domestic
Implying that he has never been in trouble with the law for domestic violence.
And I chill the way you met me
Suggesting that he hasn't changed much since he first became successful and wealthy.
With a jet ski attached to a SE, smoke my Nestle
Describing a luxurious activity involving a personal watercraft and a popular brand of chocolate milk.
No mad rap-ASCAP, where my check be?
Questioning why he hasn't received payment for his music from his record label.
Problem with y'all I say it directly (that's right)
Asserting that he is upfront and honest with people when he has a problem with them.
Went from hard to sweet, starved to eat
Describing how he went from a difficult life to a luxurious one through hard work and perseverance.
From no hoes at shows to ménage in suites
Boasting about his sexual prowess and luxury accommodations.
Now I be the cat that be hard to meet
Acknowledging that he is successful and popular to the point of being difficult to meet or get time with.
Gettin' head from girls that used to hardly speak (come on)
Boasting about how he is able to have sexual encounters with women who used to be shy or timid around him.
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy
Referring to himself again as a bad boy.
You make me feel so good (uh-huh)
Stating that his fame and success make him feel good.
I wouldn't change you if I could
Not wanting to change his persona or image.
You know you make me feel so good
Acknowledging that his success and fame make him feel good.
Bad, bad, bad, bad boy (don't stop)
Continuing to refer to himself as a bad boy and suggesting that people shouldn't try to stop him from being successful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mason Betha, Deric Angelettie, Sean Combs, Rafael Vigil, Joe Galdo, Larry Dermer, Ronald Bell, Dennis Thomas, Robert Mickens, George Brown, Robert Bell, Claydes Smith, Allen Westfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnschroeder1545
mase deserved more recognition than p diddy, cmon everybody needs to hear that....
@adrianmshana8940
Here in 2024 after Diddy's allegation 😅
@TheCannabisZone
Cool. I heard this song when it came out. Loved ma$e. This track used to be one of my faves as a child.
@mkrosova
He knew!
@mkrosova
What did Jlo know?
@Mimi92293
😂😂😂
@DaveG707
Bad boy you make me feel so good.
@pb4ugo08
I personally think Mase has one of the best flows of all time. So calm and insanely smooth
@MrB831
facts!! fabolous owes him his royalties.
@carlvictory654
Facts 💯💯