Mase

Background

Mase was born in Jacksonville, Florida to P.K. and Mason Betha, alongside his twin sister, and grew up with four other siblings. After his father left the family when Mase was just three years old, his mother moved Mase and his siblings to Harlem, New York. Though Mase showed interest and promise in Basketball, he realized that his dream of playing for the N.B.A. would not be possible and he consequently shifted his focus to pursuing his music career full time.

He initially began rapping as a hobby with his friend Cam’ron. The two donned the names Murda Mase and Killa Cam, respectively and formed a group called Children of Corn alongside Big L, Herb McGruff, and Bloodshed. The group was managed by Damon Dash for a brief while. Mase soon signed with Bad Boy Records, after meeting and rapping for Puff Daddy at the Hard Rock Cafe. Mase also featured on many songs with other artists from his label, including Puff Daddy’s ‘Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,’ and Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.’ His 1997 debut album, “Harlem World,” was certified quadruple platinum by RIAA, and his second and third albums “Double Up” and “Welcome Back” were certified gold. In 1999, Mase retired from music for the next five years to enroll in college and follow a “calling from God.” Though things initially went well for him after his 2004, conflicts with Diddy and Cam’ron marred the later years of his career. Mase was married to Twyla Betha for over a decade but the couple divorced in 2014.