Mase – Interview

When we’re talking about the return of the young man who made his mark during one of the most exciting and memorable moments in hip-hop history; a brotha who carved out a musical space in our culture with pure talent, charisma, and an irresistible appeal, we will start this biography with two words: Welcome Back.

We welcome Mase back with our interview.

Welcome back. How you doing?

Wonderful, how are you?

Good. Did “Welcome Back” come out on purpose?

I just went into the studio like normal people and worked on a record and put it out.

How long have you been thinking about coming back?

I wasn’t thinking about it, it was just something that I received clearance on and I just did it.

Did you miss it?

The only thing I really liked about hip-hop was doing stuff for people and helping people to get jobs and making money that they otherwise wouldn’t make. Pretty much everyone who was my friends was still my friends so a lot didn’t change?

Had you hinted about coming back?

Everyone found out at the same time. I’m the type of person that if I want you to know you’ll know—I’m not the type who just runs my mouth all around.

Easy decision?

It was easy. When I think about the people and wanted me back it was easy.

Your style is a celebration—when you left it all disappeared. Is there a glimmer of hope that maybe that celebration style of hip-hop might come back.

That’s a beautiful thing. My style has always been a celebrating style so I brought fun, excitement, and celebration. I always wanted to make people smile.

Where you listening to hip-hop or worrying about it?

It just progressed like anything else that grows financially. Money is a magnifier. If you are rich money allows you to show you are richer and if you are selfish you really show how selfish you are.

How has the five years helped?

It has enhanced my skills as an artist. On this album I wasn’t able to talk about everything that I wanted to, the stuff that is really powerful and will touch on for the next album. They weren’t ready for me to go there out of the gate. So I had to give them some of the Mace they know and get them onboard. For the next one if they aren’t ready they better get ready. (Laughs)

Everyone probably expected this album to be…

…You could predict me to do it this album, but I never want you to think you figure me out. You might think I’ll be here tomorrow, but maybe not. You might think I’m gone tomorrow and I might be here. I’m always the other way around.

You aren’t predictable.

That is why people are leery about me because I’m not predictable. It’s exciting.

Did you spend a lot of time on the record?

I had so much to talk about. If you gave me a beat I could just keep going. I had twelve for this record and will have twelve more this June.

Do you go into the studio and freestyle or take beats with you?

I take beats with me, but now I’m to a point creatively that I’m blessed where I can hear a beat and write a song write then and there. It’s cause I understand music like a point guard understands basketball. I can hear a song and tell you if it is a hit or not from the first verse to the chorus.

Is it a gift or talent?

It’s a gift. It isn’t something my genes have given me—it’s definitely something from on high.

If that wasn’t the case I guess we’d all be doing it.

You know?

Will the new record in June about religion?

Yeah. I mean this one I had to be Mace—I didn’t want to freak them out?

Lastly, how has the love been from fans?

Everybody has been showing me the same love. It’s like I never left. Everyone is still screaming for me and it was shocking because I’ve been gone for five years.

+ Charlie Craine