| Ma$e | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Birth name |
Mason Durrell Betha |
|
Also known as |
Murda Mase |
|
Born |
27 August 1975 (age 43) |
|
Origin |
Manhattan, New York City, NY |
|
Genres |
|
|
Occupations |
Rapper, pastor |
|
Years active |
1993-1999, 2003-2007, 2009-present |
|
Labels |
Bad Boy/Atlantic, E1 Music/Ice Age |
|
Associated acts |
Big L, Cam'ron, Sean Combs, G-Unit, Harlem World, Herb McGruff, The Lox, The Notorious B.I.G. |
Mason Durell Betha (born 27 August 1977), better known by his stage name Mase (stylised as Ma$e), is an American rapper and pastor. He hails from Harlem, Manhattan, New York, and began his career as a member of the Children of the Corn under the stage name Murda Mase. He was signed to Bad Boy Records in 1996. On November 15, 1996 made dropped his first single Feel So Good which was a smash hit, his next singles Looking At Me (1997), Tell Me What You Want (1997) and Do You Wanna Get $ (1998) were all successful and after many delays his debut album would be released in late 1997 with critical acclaim selling over 4.5 million copies in the United States and over 7 million copies globally.
With his slow flow, Mase quickly developed a crossover fan base as he was featured on original tracks and remixes by R&B artists. He was featured on the hit single "Mo Money Mo Problems" from The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 album Life After Death. Bad Boy Records founder Sean Combs then featured Mase on several songs from his own debut album, No Way Out, including the hit singles "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and "Been Around the World". By the time Mase released his debut album in late 1997, he had become Bad Boy's premier artist, filling the void left by the death of The Notorious B.I.G.
After the release of his 1999 album Double Up which sold over 200,000 copies in it's first week and selling over two million copies in the US. Mase announced his retirement from music to pursue a calling from God and became a pastor. He leads an international ministry, but still makes occasional musical guest appearances.
Discography[]
Main article: Mase discography
- 1997: Harlem World
- 1999: Double Up
- 2004: Welcome Back