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]
Keep It On
Mase Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do the thing man
Fo real, dont stop
(And I like it, I, I)
H World dont stop
(And I like it, I, I)
M. Betha, dont stop
They wanna roll like me, do a show like me
Wanna jump in the ferrari and roll like me
But I know who I be, wit no ID
So much money think the bank owe me
Yo, I do the thing now what you wanna do?
I make the music that you want with ya boo
Go away bring back somethin just for you
Cant no man stop what we come to do
I been flyin all week, I land for a day
Sit somewhere so I can plan my day
I take you to somewhere like Sandro Pe'
And you though I said San Jose? No way
Come on, you know I wouldnt lead you wrong and
You know I wouldnt lead you on and
If everybody tellin you to keep it off
Who gon say keep it on? Come on
We dont have to take our clothes off
To have a good time, oh no
We can just chill and kick it all night (kick it all night)
Cause it feels so right (feels so right) cause it feels so right
Uh, we dont stop
I tell those, girls in Melrose
That love Chanel clothes
To keep they legs closed
The way we met, gave you major respect
I move bodies like I wave the tech
I make all the young girls stomp like a majorette
You need lights to engage in sex
And just because you got the best ride
Dont mean you the best guy
Like the car, you cant let everybody test drive
And I know you like expensive trips
Expensive whips, and spendin chips
The drink you drink is an expensive sip
I just bought a home in an expensive zip
And ever since I met you it havent been dark since
Hold your hands by a central park bench
Twenty million just for the apartment
No financin tell me when your heart went
We dont have to take our clothes off
To have a good time, oh no
We can just chill and kick it all night (kick it all night)
Cause it feels so right (feels so right) cause it feels so right so right
And I like it, (you know I like it) and I like it
And I like it, (I know you like it) I, I
And I like it, (I know they like it) and I like it
And I like it, (Yeah I like it) I, I
And I like it, (I know you like it) and I like it
And I like it, (You know I like it) I, I
And I like it, (Come on, come on, come on) and I like it
And I like it, (Come on, come on) I, I
Now we can just dance, all I need is a chance
To meet ya old man and go and meet ya whole fam
Aint tryin to weaken ya stance, with a weekend in France
I wanna pay all ya bills like a week in advance
Im not a rude dude that'll reach for ya hand
And if ya tell him no then he'll understand
Even though, everywhere he go he in demand
And gotta give you no E to try to sneak in ya pants
We dont have to take our clothes off
To have a good time, oh no
We can just chill and kick it all night (kick it all night)
Cause it feels so right (feels so right) cause it feels so right
We dont have to take our clothes off
To have a good time, oh no
We can just chill and kick it all night (kick it all night)
Cause it feels so right (feels so right) cause it feels so right
In Mase's "Keep It On," the rapper reflects on his success and the desire for others to replicate it. He acknowledges his financial abundance and celebrity lifestyle and recognizes that he is the source of envy for others who want to live, perform, and ride in high-end cars just like him. The artist insists on continuing with his career, saying that nobody can stop him from achieving what he has set his mind to. The rapper reassures his fans that he knows they like his music and that he will not deceive them, unlike other people who try to fool them.
Mase then shifts his attention to relationships, advising women to keep their sex lives private, keep their legs closed, and not to fall for material items. He argues that he should be treated with respect and not just as a man who can provide expensive gifts, although he can do that. He highlights the importance of knowing who to trust and who to let into his life. Mase then concludes by highlighting that people don't have to take their clothes off to have a good time, suggesting that they can have fun just by being together.
Overall, "Keep It On" is a reminder of the artist's fame and success, combined with his desire for respect in relationships and not just as a wealthy celebrity.
Line by Line Meaning
Do the thing man
Encouragement to continue doing whatever it is you are doing
Fo real, dont stop
Seriousness in the request to not stop
(And I like it, I, I)
Expression of enjoyment for the current situation
H World dont stop
As part of H World, do not stop
M. Betha, dont stop
As M. Betha, do not stop
They wanna roll like me, do a show like me
Others try to emulate the singer's success
Wanna jump in the ferrari and roll like me
Others want to enjoy the singer's luxury lifestyle
But I know who I be, wit no ID
The artist knows their identity without needing identification
So much money think the bank owe me
The artist has a lot of money and may actually be owed by the bank
Yo, I do the thing now what you wanna do?
The artist is confident in their actions and challenges others to match
I make the music that you want with ya boo
The singer creates music that appeals to a broad audience
Go away bring back somethin just for you
The artist is able to provide the listener with a unique experience
Cant no man stop what we come to do
No one can prevent the singer from achieving their goals
I been flyin all week, I land for a day
The singer has been constantly traveling and only has a short break
Sit somewhere so I can plan my day
The singer needs a moment to relax and organize their schedule
I take you to somewhere like Sandro Pe'
The artist can offer a unique and luxurious experience for the listener
And you though I said San Jose? No way
The artist corrects the listener's interpretation of their destination
Come on, you know I wouldnt lead you wrong and
The singer is trustworthy and reliable
You know I wouldnt lead you on and
The singer would not deceive or mislead the listener
If everybody tellin you to keep it off
Others may discourage the artist from pursuing their goals
Who gon say keep it on? Come on
The artist encourages themselves and others to continue despite any obstacles
We dont have to take our clothes off
Intention to have a fun and enjoyable time without nudity
To have a good time, oh no
A good time can be had without engaging in explicit activities
We can just chill and kick it all night (kick it all night)
The artist wants to relax and enjoy the company of others for an extended period of time
Cause it feels so right (feels so right) cause it feels so right
The singer enjoys the current situation and wants it to continue
I tell those, girls in Melrose
The singer addresses women in a specific area
That love Chanel clothes
The singer acknowledges the fashion preferences of these women
To keep they legs closed
The artist encourages these women to be selective and cautious with sexual partners
The way we met, gave you major respect
The artist gained the listener's respect through their initial meeting
I move bodies like I wave the tech
The singer has the power and influence to control situations
I make all the young girls stomp like a majorette
The singer can captivate and excite a younger audience
You need lights to engage in sex
The artist is advocating for safe sex practices and the use of contraception
And just because you got the best ride
Having a nice car does not make someone a good person
Dont mean you the best guy
The artist is cautioning against judging someone based on external factors
Like the car, you cant let everybody test drive
The singer advises the listener to be cautious and selective with sexual partners
And I know you like expensive trips
The artist is aware of the listener's taste for luxury experiences
Expensive whips, and spendin chips
The singer is aware of the listener's taste for luxury cars and spending money
The drink you drink is an expensive sip
The singer is aware of the listener's taste for expensive beverages
I just bought a home in an expensive zip
The singer is wealthy and able to afford luxurious living
And ever since I met you it havent been dark since
The listener has brought happiness and light to the artist's life
Hold your hands by a central park bench
The artist wants to have a romantic moment with the listener in Central Park
Twenty million just for the apartment
The singer has spent a significant amount of money on their living situation
No financin tell me when your heart went
The singer is interested in knowing when the listener became emotionally invested in the relationship
Now we can just dance, all I need is a chance
The artist just wants to enjoy dancing with the listener
To meet ya old man and go and meet ya whole fam
The artist is interested in meeting the listener's family
Aint tryin to weaken ya stance, with a weekend in France
The artist does not want to undermine the listener's beliefs or values with a short vacation
I wanna pay all ya bills like a week in advance
The singer wants to take care of the listener's financial responsibilities as a sign of affection
Im not a rude dude that'll reach for ya hand
The artist is respectful and does not want to be too forward with physical intimacy
And if ya tell him no then he'll understand
If the listener is not interested in physical intimacy, the singer will respect their decision
Even though, everywhere he go he in demand
Despite being popular and sought after, the singer is willing to be respectful
And gotta give you no E to try to sneak in ya pants
The singer does not need to use drugs or alcohol to coerce the listener into sex
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MASON BETHA, PRESTON W GLASS, TYRICE D. JONES, NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind