Mase

Ma$e
Birth name	Mason Durrell Betha
Also known as	Murda Mase
Born	27 August 1975 (age 43) Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Origin	Manhattan, New York City, NY
Genres	Hip hop
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 knownby 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.

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, 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