WRTN: Mase
I thought this Sunday would be a perfect day to talk about rapper turned pastor turned rapper Mase. Now I have to admit that back in the day Mase was my man on Bad Boy. He could do no wrong in my eyes especially after Biggie pasted away. M-A-dollar sign-E had that unique Harlem swag and style yet was very chill and laid back. During this time in hip-hop after the deaths of Tupac and Biggie people wanted to party and have a good time and Bad Boy lead by Puff and Mase ushered us into that phase of rap. Mase was on the cusp of Bad Boy's assault on taking over radio & had no true foes in the game. Betha was more widely accepted by the wearers of Timbs as well as those who preferred Coogis & gators.
On April 20, 1999, during an interview with Funkmaster Flex of New York radio station Hot 97, Mase announced his retirement from music. This was during the promotional period for his second album. The rapper left Bad Boy and Harlem and moved to Atlanta and became a preacher. There were rumors that he was ran out of town or that he lost the love for the music and lifestyle. Mase would go on to say that he left because he felt he had a higher calling.
In 2004, Mase made a come-back to the game with his album Welcome Back. On this album Mase had a much cleaner image and didn't curse on the entire project. He stayed away from topics that he was once know for.
After his short clean return, Mase returned to his old rap ways and joined 50 Cent and G-Unit. Betha would go on to have half hearted beefs with Camron and Jim Jones of Dipset and follow label mate Loon.
