When Hip-Hop Meets Higher Calling: Mase’s Evolution and My Own Path of Self-Discovery
I met Mase! Okay, let me be honest—I was shoved to the back of an elevator by one of his entourage while sneaking around a hotel he was staying in. Those were wild times.
Imagine three aspiring rappers and a DJ trying to sneak backstage at a Bad Boy concert.
On a freezing cold night in December, my crew and I got word about the when and where of the Bad Boy camp coming to Kansas City for a concert. Our DJ knew some of Puffy’s background dancers. They called me to pick up everyone so we could try to sneak backstage.
The most important thing about that time was where I was mentally. I had left my church home. I was drinking and partying, and I got recruited into a rap group while I explored my sexuality. Being a member of my crew gave me purpose. There is something powerful about putting your deepest thoughts in perspective on a fire beat.
That night, we dressed like we were gonna rob the world and tried to get backstage at the concert. It didn’t work. We then headed to their hotel afterwards to pass, to anyone who would take it, our mixtape. That’s the truth.
The Rise and Reflection of Mase
The late 90s accelerated Mase to stardom with hits like the “Only You” remix, The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money Mo Problems,” and Puff Daddy’s “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” as a standout in Puffy’s Bad Boy label. His debut album, Harlem World, released in 1997, was a massive success, going quadruple-platinum. He infused his signature sleepy style into Hip-Hop’s DNA—a Harlem rapper surrounded by other rising stars.
His interview on Tidal.com revealed that when his friend Big L died, he started looking at his surroundings differently. Biggie died in 1997, and Mase reveals that those deaths impacted him to make a change. This, along with financial issues, turned him away from the music industry.
The rap star and I had one thing in common: We were disillusioned with the direction of rap music. He mentioned how the violent rhetoric was leading listeners down a path of death and destruction. (We differ about leading people to hell, but I digress.)
Mase left at the height of success to become a Pastor. He says that witnessing the death of his friends made him re-evaluate what he was doing. There comes a point in every artist’s life when self-reflection makes you question your path. Many artists completely leave their rap careers for their version of God. MC Hammer, Malice (now No Malice), Shyne, and Loon come to mind, along with many others.
Mase came back to rap in 2004 with the album Welcome Back. He attempted to redefine himself with “clean” rap. The album had mixed reviews. Some welcomed his laid-back style on radio-friendly songs, while others said his lyrics were still very materialistic and in contrast to his change into Ministry.
My Own Swing
My journey in rap came to an abrupt halt after I came out as a lesbian. The fallout was intense, especially with religion—my connection to faith was complicated and often painful. Despite the turmoil, my passion for words and storytelling never faded. I left the crew and chose a new path in college. Now, I’ve found my voice again as a journalist, dedicating my writing to Hip-Hop.
That unforgettable night, my crew thought we had the inside scoop on where the Bad Boy artists were staying, but we didn’t have specifics. We wandered through the hotel hoping for a lucky encounter. When we finally stepped into the elevator, Mase entered with his security detail. They pushed us to the back, their guard up, while we stood out in our tactical gear. Mase’s prominent Bad Boy chain made it clear why they were suspicious. We managed to hand off our mixtape to The Lox, but knocking on random hotel doors probably meant it never got played.
Finding Meaning
Spirituality stands out as a thread woven through my experiences—sometimes frayed, sometimes strong. Whether grappling with rejection or searching for belonging, my spiritual journey has been about self-discovery, acceptance, and reconnecting with what gives me purpose.
In the end, spirituality is less about the rituals and more about finding meaning and peace within yourself, no matter where the path leads. What’s more Hip-Hop than that?
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