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]
Wanna Hurt Mase?
Mase Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Now you don't wanna see me angry
Ain't enough cops or cuffs to chain me
Days to arraign me, KKK's to hang me, insane me
Ya need ice picks to bang me
Need more than a straight jacket to restrain me
Or more guns with my prints for you to frame me and mame me
Nigga, look at you and look at us
My duns don't fuss, Harlem win you with a thrush
Nigga you better hush, I can mess out the cave
Niggas still get touched
And them little ones you bust ain't enough for us
Listen here, Mase'll make you disappear
And yo' mouth'll be the reason that you missed this year
Man who needs ya? You don't need me, I don't need you neither
That's why my next Lex gon' be a two seater
And the things I do to you won't leave you beautiful
And though yo' feelin' fuck me, I'm feelin' mutual
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
From the M to the A nigga dollar sign E
Come around money if you ever tryin' to find me
I was murder for six years, seen no clean from it
Drop murder off, Mase woke up at Teen Summit
My niggas joke, niggas broke, kill a laugh
I got power, make a call, get a mil' in cash
Like my money and ya ain't cuz they don't tax me
Actually, anything you got to ask me, fax me
I'm no Beamer dreamer, I'm a Bentley man
Car totally smashed threw out 50 grand
How ya figure ya bigger when Mase that nigga
And every style I deliver come with much charisma
Knock it off, now will ya , I'm the one that bitches live for
Don't get me wrong you niggas make it hot I make it sizzler
And I don't know you cats, so don't you get familiar
And if you violate me and mine I guarentee I peel ya
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
If I ever whisper on a remix, I got C-chips
Time is money, when you talk gotta be quick
I don't see how ya'll hang or even be wit
Niggas ridin' in the Benz with only one V-6
But I know how it is when ya go into the bar
Got girls overreact, they thowin' you a star
Got niggas player hatin' don't even know who you are
And go as far as leavin' bullet holes in yo' car
When you're from Harlem World niggas never see yo' views
They wait for you to flop or be on BET News
All they see the G's and jewels, V's that ya cruise
Being the underdogs, they can't wait to see us lose
Don't hate me, thank me
I don't get mad when nigga's bitches prank me
Make you cranky to see me places that you can't be
I'm too pretty to let you niggas shank me
And frankly, know you probably hate me cause you ain't me
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
The lyrics to Mase's song "Wanna Hurt Mase?" are a defiant response to anyone who might try to bring him down or undermine his success. The repetition of the questions "Do you really wanna hurt Mase?/Or do you really wanna make me cry?/Or is it really that you envy Mase?/Or you don't really wanna see me fly?" emphasizes his determination to rise above the negativity and the doubts of others.
The lyrics also boast of Mase's power, money, and charisma, painting him as an unstoppable force. He warns anyone who might try to cross him that they will regret it, and asserts his dominance over his enemies. At the same time, he acknowledges that there are people who envy him, and suggests that this envy is the real motivation behind any attempts to hurt him.
Overall, the song is a statement of Mase's confidence in himself and his ability to overcome any challenges or obstacles. He refuses to be brought down by anyone else's hatred or jealousy, and instead focuses on his own success and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you really wanna hurt Mase?
Are you intentionally seeking to harm me?
Or do you really wanna make me cry?
Or are your actions simply aimed at causing me emotional pain?
Or is it really that you envy Mase?
Could it be that you're just jealous of me?
Or you don't really wanna see me fly?
Or perhaps you don't want to witness my success and growth?
Now you don't wanna see me angry
You don't want to test my patience or push me to my limits.
Ain't enough cops or cuffs to chain me
No amount of law enforcement or physical restraints can contain me.
Days to arraign me, KKK's to hang me, insane me
Even if you tried to falsely accuse and oppress me, I would remain composed and level-headed, driving you to the point of insanity.
Ya need ice picks to bang me
You need extreme measures to even attempt to harm me, but you won't succeed.
Need more than a straight jacket to restrain me
Even mental institutions cannot restrain my determination and drive.
Or more guns with my prints for you to frame me and mame me
You would need to resort to planting evidence and causing bodily harm in order to bring me down.
Nigga, look at you and look at us
You need to compare yourself to me and my crew and recognize our superiority.
My duns don't fuss, Harlem win you with a thrush
My associates don't argue or complain - we dominate and succeed.
Nigga you better hush, I can mess out the cave
You should be quiet and not rile me up, otherwise I will defeat you with ease.
Niggas still get touched
My power and influence still allows me to harm those who cross me.
And them little ones you bust ain't enough for us
Your attempts to harm my crew are not sufficient, and we will retaliate.
Listen here, Mase'll make you disappear
You should pay attention, as I have the power to make you vanish.
And yo' mouth'll be the reason that you missed this year
Your own words and actions will ultimately cause your downfall this year.
Man who needs ya? You don't need me, I don't need you neither
We don't rely on each other, and I don't require your validation or support.
That's why my next Lex gon' be a two seater
This is why I am able to make significant purchases on my own, such as buying a two-seater Lexus.
And the things I do to you won't leave you beautiful
The repercussions of my retaliation against you will not leave you unscathed or unharmed.
And though yo' feelin' fuck me, I'm feelin' mutual
Although you have negative feelings towards me, those same feelings are reciprocated on my end.
From the M to the A nigga dollar sign E
I am a wealthy and successful individual, as indicated by my name and origin.
Come around money if you ever tryin' to find me
If you're looking for me, you'll need a significant amount of money in your possession.
I was murder for six years, seen no clean from it
I was in the rap game for six years, and did not see much profit from it until recently.
Drop murder off, Mase woke up at Teen Summit
Now that I have transitioned out of rap, I am able to participate in public events such as Teen Summit.
My niggas joke, niggas broke, kill a laugh
My associates and I make light of difficult situations and maintain a sense of humor, even when we are facing financial struggles.
I got power, make a call, get a mil' in cash
I have the ability to make a single phone call and receive a significant sum of money.
Like my money and ya ain't cuz they don't tax me
I enjoy my wealth, particularly because it is not heavily taxed by the government.
Actually, anything you got to ask me, fax me
If you have any questions or concerns, send them to me via fax because I have no interest in answering them in person.
I'm no Beamer dreamer, I'm a Bentley man
I prefer luxury cars such as a Bentley over a BMW.
Car totally smashed threw out 50 grand
Even if my car were to be totaled, it would amount to a loss of only $50,000 for me.
How ya figure ya bigger when Mase that nigga
You cannot compare to me, as I am clearly superior.
And every style I deliver come with much charisma
My rap style is unique and charismatic, drawing in fans and admirers.
Knock it off, now will ya , I'm the one that bitches live for
Stop questioning my abilities or status - I am the one that women flock to and idolize.
Don't get me wrong you niggas make it hot I make it sizzler
I acknowledge the contributions of my competitors and colleagues, but ultimately, my impact is greater and more impressive.
And I don't know you cats, so don't you get familiar
I do not associate with or care for those who I do not know.
And if you violate me and mine I guarentee I peel ya
If you threaten or harm me or my associates, I will retaliate and cause significant harm.
If I ever whisper on a remix, I got C-chips
If I ever contribute to a remix, I am getting paid a significant amount of money.
Time is money, when you talk gotta be quick
I value my time and expect others to be efficient and quick in their communication with me.
I don't see how ya'll hang or even be wit
I do not understand why people associate or hang out with those who are not on my level of success and wealth.
Niggas ridin' in the Benz with only one V-6
People who ride in a Benz that only has one V-6 engine are not impressive or desirable in my eyes.
But I know how it is when ya go into the bar
I am familiar with the experience of going to a bar and having people react to my presence.
Got girls overreact, they thowin' you a star
Women become overly excited and invested in me, viewing me as a star.
Got niggas player hatin' don't even know who you are
Men are jealous and competitive towards me, even if they do not personally know me or understand my success.
And go as far as leavin' bullet holes in yo' car
Some individuals are willing to resort to violence and destruction towards my possessions and reputation.
When you're from Harlem World niggas never see yo' views
Being from Harlem makes it difficult for others to understand my perspective and experiences.
They wait for you to flop or be on BET News
People look forward to my failure or public mistakes, eagerly anticipating my downfall.
All they see the G's and jewels, V's that ya cruise
All they pay attention to is my wealth, possessions, and luxurious cars.
Being the underdogs, they can't wait to see us lose
Because of our underdog status, people are excited at the prospect of our failure or defeat.
Don't hate me, thank me
Instead of being jealous or hateful towards me, you should be grateful for the inspiration and motivation I provide.
I don't get mad when nigga's bitches prank me
I remain composed and unaffected when people attempt to deceive or prank me.
Make you cranky to see me places that you can't be
Seeing my success and the places I can go may cause you to become agitated or envious.
I'm too pretty to let you niggas shank me
I'm too valuable and important to allow anyone to harm me.
And frankly, know you probably hate me cause you ain't me
To be honest, you likely hold animosity towards me because you are not able to reach my level of success and acclaim.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MASON BETHA, WILLIE COBB, SEAN COMBS, MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY, STEVEN A JORDAN, RONALD ANTHONY LAWRENCE, JON MOSS, GEORGE O'DOWD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind