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Hip Hop is rife with numerous rap beefs. However, these friendships, rivalries, and everything in between have significantly contributed to the evolution of the genre. Nonetheless, few narratives are as interesting as the bond and beef between Cam’ron and Mase (Ma$e). Hailing from Harlem, these two rappers share a close friendship and musical collaboration that has experienced highs and lows. Early on in their careers, their feud became the talk of the town. However, they’ve risen through it all, and have become closer than ever as co-hosts of It Is What It Is. Cam’ron and Mase might even be going on tour together. Here, we’ll take a look at their friendship, beef, and eventual reconciliation.
Early Years In Harlem: Children Of The Corn
The roots of Cam’ron and Mase’s friendship can be traced back to their formative years in Harlem, New York. Both artists were high school friends and players on the Manhattan Center High School basketball team. In fact, they helped their team secure second place in the NYC High School basketball finals. However, it was their shared love of Hip-Hop that kept their friendship alive.
The two friends soon found themselves navigating the vibrant and competitive rap scene in 1993. Along with Big L, DukeDaGod, Herb McGruff, Bloodshed, and Six Figga Digga, they formed the group, Children Of The Corn. Furthermore, they adopted rap aliases. Mase was “Murder Mase,” while Cam’ron went by “Killa Cam.” Murda Mase earned a reputation for his gritty street-savvy lyricism and distinctive flow patterns, while Killa Cam forged a unique style characterized by his thematic cadence and unfiltered, powerful vocals. Collaborating with fellow members Bloodshed and Herb McGruff, the group went on to record several mixtapes.
1997: Children Of The Corn’s Disbandment, And Solo Attempts
Following the death of Bloodshed (1997), the group disbanded. Murder Mase decided to change his moniker to Ma$e, and signed with Bad Boy Records. That year he released the widely acclaimed album, Harlem World, which earned him a Grammy nomination. Cam’ron on the other hand, made an unsuccessful attempt to revive his basketball career at a junior college in Texas. He later returned to New York and reunited with Mase, who then introduced him to The Notorious B.I.G., and in turn, Lance “Un” Rivera.
1998: Cam’ron Hires A Fake Mase
In 1998, Cam’ron signed to Sony Music and dropped his inaugural album, Confessions Of Fire, which featured Mase on the lead single “Horse & Carriage.” However, a surprising twist unfolded when Cam’ron reportedly asked Mase to be in the music video. The “What You Want” rapper allegedly demanded $50,000 to make the appearance. Cam’ron refused to pay, and undeterred, opted for a body double to take Mase’s place in the video.
1999: Mase Announces His Retirement
The next year, Mase released the follow-up album Double Up. In an interview with Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97, he announced that he was retiring from the rap scene to become a pastor. At the time, numerous speculations arose suggesting that Mase’s shift towards spirituality and relocation from Harlem to Atlanta was influenced by an ongoing beef with the prominent figure, Baby Maine. Nonetheless, regardless of the public’s doubts, Mase took a step away from rapping.
2001-2003: “Welcome to New York City,” And Mase’s Silence
By 2001, Cam’ron parted ways with Sony Music after the release of S.D.E. Afterwards, he signed to Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records. Backed by the production genius of Kanye West and Just Blaze, Cam earned his breakthrough with his 2002 album, Come Home With Me. He subsequently threw the first disses at Mase in the track “Welcome To New York City.” The song featured Jay-Z and Jules Santana, and on it, Cam’ron raps, “Hot here, ask Mase, he ran to Atlanta.”
The lyrics suggested that Mase couldn’t handle the challenges and competitiveness of the New York rap scene, and thus, fled to Atlanta. Mase made no response to the shot. In 2003, Cam’ron went on to establish his group The Diplomats, also known as Dipset, marking a new chapter in his musical journey. Mase, on the other hand, was still believed to be fully retired from rap.
July 2004: Cam’ron And Mase Argue On Hot 97
In 2004, Mase made his return to rapping with the single, “Welcome Back.” That same day, however, Jim Jones, a member of The Diplomats, released his debut album, On My Way To Church. The album’s title track was taken as a direct diss at Mase. A month before the album’s release, Mase was on a Hot 97 interview promoting his album. He elucidated the reasons behind his departure from Harlem and the rap scene, saying that he had felt insulted by Cam’ron for refusing to pay him. In an unexpected turn of events, both Jim Jones and Cam’ron individually dialed into the show. The pair questioned the authenticity of Mase’s account regarding his exit from Harlem and labeling him a “fraud”.
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