Mason Durell Betha, widely recognized by his mononym Mase (previously known as Murda Mase and stylized as Ma$e), is a prominent American rapper who gained significant mainstream success in the late 1990s under Bad Boy Records, founded by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs. As a lead or featured artist, Mase achieved remarkable accomplishments during 1997 and 1998, boasting five platinum singles, five US Rap No. 1 singles, and six Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including chart-toppers “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and “Mo Money Mo Problems.”
Mase’s album “Harlem World,” released in 1997, earned quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA, while his other two albums, “Double Up” (1999) and “Welcome Back” (2004), obtained gold certification.
Born on August 27, 1975, as Mason Durell Betha, in Jacksonville, Florida, Mase was a fraternal twin born prematurely, with his twin sister Stason arriving just minutes after him. His father departed the family when Mase was only three years old. Subsequently, in 1980, his mother relocated with the children to Harlem, New York, where Mase spent most of his formative years. During his early teens, Mase encountered challenges on the streets of Harlem, leading his mother to send him to live with relatives in Jacksonville at the age of 13. It was during this time that Mase started attending church regularly. Returning to Harlem at 15, he showed promise as a basketball player and played as the leading point guard for his team at Manhattan Center High School during the 1993 season, where he shared the court with future rapper Cam’ron (Cameron Giles). Although he aspired to join the NBA, his academic scores hindered his admission to a Division I College. Instead, Mase attended the State University of New York at Purchase, where he gradually shifted his focus to writing music, producing demo tapes, and performing at local nightclubs. Eventually, he chose to drop out of college to pursue a full-time career in music.
