Mase facts for kids

Mason Durell Betha (born August 27, 1975), known as Mase, is an American rapper. He became famous working with Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and his label, Bad Boy Records. Mase signed with Bad Boy in 1996. He quickly became known as Combs' "hype man," helping to excite the crowd during performances.

In 1997, Mase was featured on Combs' song "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down." This song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Mase's first two songs as a main artist, "Feel So Good" and "What You Want", also made it into the top ten. His first album, Harlem World (1997), was a huge success. It reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold millions of copies. He also appeared on other hit songs like "Mo Money Mo Problems" by the Notorious B.I.G. and "Been Around the World" by Puff Daddy.

Before his solo success, Mase was part of a hip hop group called Children of the Corn. He formed this group in 1993 with other rappers from New York City, including Cam'ron. Later, he started another group called Harlem World. Their album, The Movement (1999), and Mase's second album, Double Up (1999), both did well on the charts. After Double Up, Mase took a break from music for five years to focus on his Christian faith. He returned in 2004 with his third album, Welcome Back. This album also charted high and included popular songs like "Welcome Back" and "Breathe, Stretch, Shake".

Early Life and Growing Up

Mason Durell Betha was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 27, 1975. He was a twin, born early, along with his sister Stason. His father left the family when Mase was three years old. In 1980, his mother moved the family to Harlem, New York. Mase spent most of his childhood there.

When he was 13, Mase's mother sent him back to Jacksonville to live with relatives. It was there that he first started going to church. At age 15, Mase returned to Harlem. He became a talented basketball player at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics High School. He played with Cameron Giles, who later became the rapper Cam'ron. Mase hoped to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, his school grades made it hard to get into a top college sports program.

He attended State University of New York at Purchase. There, he realized his NBA dream might not happen. He began to focus more on writing music. He made demo tapes and performed at local nightclubs. Eventually, Mase left college to work on his music career full-time.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out: Children of the Corn and Bad Boy Deal

After returning to Harlem, Mase and his friend Cam'ron started rapping for fun. They used the names Murda Mase and Killa Cam. They formed a group called the Children of the Corn. Other Harlem rappers like Big L were also in the group.

In 1996, Mase's sister introduced him to Cudda Love. Cudda was a manager for the Notorious B.I.G. Cudda took Mase, who was 20, to Atlanta, Georgia. There, Mase met Jermaine Dupri and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs at a rap event. Soon after rapping for Puff Daddy, Mase signed a big deal with Bad Boy Records.

Within a week, Mase's stage name was shortened from Murda Mase to just Mase. This made him more appealing to a wider audience. He quickly appeared on hit songs with other Bad Boy artists. These included "Only You" by 112 with the Notorious B.I.G. He also featured on Puff Daddy's "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and "Been Around the World". His appearance on the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" helped that song reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Harlem World Success

Mase's first album, Harlem World, was released in 1997. It went straight to number one on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. It sold over 270,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week. The album has since sold millions of copies in the United States.

The album had popular songs like "Feel So Good" and "Lookin' at Me". Both of these songs reached number one on the Rap Billboard charts. "What You Want" also did very well. In 1997, Mase also appeared on songs with other famous artists. These included Mariah Carey's "Honey" and Brandy's "Top of the World".

In 1998, Mase started his own record label, All Out Records. He signed his group Harlem World to this label. His twin sister, Stason, was also part of this group. Mase and Harlem World member Blinky Blink were featured on the song "Take Me There". This song was on the soundtrack for The Rugrats Movie.

Double Up and a Break from Music

Mase's second album, Double Up, came out in 1999. It sold over 100,000 copies in its first week. The album reached number 11 on the US Top 200 chart.

On April 20, 1999, Mase announced he was leaving music. He said he wanted to follow a "calling from God." He felt he was leading people down the wrong path. He wanted to serve God and felt rap was not real. He became unhappy with his music career, even though it made him a lot of money. That same year, Mase started college at Clark Atlanta University. He kept a low profile there and focused on his studies.

Returning to Music

After five years away from music, Mase returned in 2004. During his break, he became a minister. His album, Welcome Back, was released on August 24, 2004. It debuted at number four in the US, selling 188,000 copies in its first week. The album eventually sold over half a million copies.

Welcome Back showed Mase's new Christian lifestyle. He called himself "a Bad Boy gone clean." The album's main song, "Welcome Back," used a sample from the Welcome Back, Kotter TV show theme. While not as big as Harlem World, the songs "Welcome Back" and "Breathe, Stretch, Shake" were played often on radio and TV. "Breathe, Stretch, Shake" reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the mid-2000s, Mase toured and recorded with the hip-hop group G-Unit. He appeared with 50 Cent on magazine covers and in music videos. Mase later said that joining G-Unit was a way to reach a different audience. He wanted to show them that people could change, just like he did. He released a mixtape called Crucified 4 The Hood: 10 Years of Hate with DJ Whoo Kid.

Second Comeback and Recent Work

In 2009, Mase started appearing on remixes of R&B songs. He was featured on Harry O's "Uptown Boy" and Drake's "Best I Ever Had" remix. Mase said that Michael Jackson's passing inspired him to return to music. He started releasing new music on a radio show.

He released new songs like "Get It" with Cam'ron and "Thinkin' 'Bout You." He also added a verse to the remix of Teairra Marí and Kanye West's "Diamonds." Mase released "Shut the City Down," a song about his legacy and how the music business had changed. He also released "Radio" as a preview for his mixtape "I Bleed Money." In September 2009, he was featured on the remix to Ron Browz's "Gimme 20 Dollars."

In October 2009, Mase appeared on a radio interview with Diddy-Dirty Money. He gave Diddy papers that he believed would release him from his Bad Boy contract. Diddy signed the papers, saying Mase was "free to go do whatever he wants to do." It was later clarified that the papers allowed him to work with artists from other labels, but didn't fully end his contract.

In 2010, Diddy offered Mase a one-year release from Bad Boy. Mase considered retiring from rap for good. However, in 2012, photos appeared of Mase in the studio with Rick Ross and French Montana. This led to talk that Mase was making another return to music. Mase later confirmed that French Montana was a big reason for his return. He also helped with Montana's album, Excuse My French. In September 2012, Mase appeared on Kanye West's album Cruel Summer on the song "Higher."

In December 2012, Mase announced he was no longer signed to Bad Boy. He said he would not likely sign with a major label soon. He mentioned he would consider signing with Kanye West's GOOD Music or Drake's OVO Sound. On October 18, 2013, Mase announced his next album would be called Now We Even. He hoped to feature artists like Jay-Z, Diddy, Beyoncé, and Drake.

On November 24, 2017, Mase released "The Oracle." This was a song where he responded to criticisms from his former friend, Cam'ron.

Influence on Music

Mase's unique melodic rap style has had a lasting impact on hip hop. Many rappers, including Pusha T, Fabolous, and Kanye West, have used a similar relaxed, melodic flow in their music. Rappers like Jay-Z and Drake have even used lines from Mase's songs in their own. Kanye West has called Mase his favorite rapper.

Writings

• Revelations: There's a Light After the Lime (2001)

Discography

Studio albums

• Harlem World (1997)
• Double Up (1999)
• Welcome Back (2004)
• Now We Even (2025)

Mixtapes

• 10 Years of Hate: Crucified 4 the Hood (2006)
• I Do the Impossible (2009)

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Mase para niños