Rapper Mase Announces Retirement From Rap Music To Follow God

Jet, May 17, 1999

Mase, the hitmaking musician whose career skyrocketed a couple of years ago as a rap sidekick to Puff Daddy, has announced that he is retiring from music to follow God.

"I'm grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon me that were a result of my music career," said Mase in a news release from Bad Boy Entertainment. "Now it's time for me to serve God in His way. The Lord sends you messages when He's ready and not necessarily when we are."

Mase, 21, whose real name is Mason Betha, reportedly has plans to become involved with charity events which are aimed at helping inner-city kids.

"I just felt my work as a rapper is done," he recently told USA Today of his sudden and unexpected career decision.

Continued Mase, "I said the first day I walked into music that I'm not here to be a 30-year-old rapper. I wouldn't be intelligent to think that I would be ... It just so happens that I'm pursuing God, and that's shocking for some people because that's not everybody's idea of what I'm like."

Mase's multiplatinum-selling debut, Harlem World, spawned the hits Feel So Good, What You Want and Lookin' At Me. Prior to his solo debut album, Mase won fame on the Puff Daddy hits Can't Nobody Hold Me Down, Mo' Money, Mo' Problems and Been Around The World.

Earlier this year he started his own label, All Out Records. The label's first group, Harlem World, features his twin sister Stason "Stase" Betha. Its debut album is titled The Movement.

His upcoming follow-up project, Double Up, was recorded prior to his decision to retire and is scheduled to hit stores next month.

Mase will honor his word to promote the album by participating in speaking engagements only. He reportedly will not do any performances.