Yesterday was an eventful day for rap record mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The music impresario saw his homes raided and family members detained as part of an investigation into alleged sex trafficking that arose as a result of a slew of sexual assault lawsuits against him.
It was also, coincidentally, the anniversary of two albums heavily connected to Combs’ musical legacy: The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death and The Diplomats’ Diplomatic Immunity. Cam’Ron and Mase commented on the “eerie” timing of the raids on the latest episode of their sports podcast It Is What It Is, calling Diddy’s misfortunes “reparations” as they gloated over their former business partner’s legal troubles.
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) March 26, 2024
“Reparations is getting closer and closer,” Mase chuckled during the show’s intro. “I ain’t got nothing to do with that money, that’s all yours,” Cam responded. He also noted, “The last year has really been the been payback for you.”
The crux of their comments was Mase’s ongoing financial disputes with Combs, which started in the early 2000s and continued until last year, when Combs finally sold Mase the publishing rights to his music recorded under Bad Boy, along with a slew of other Bad Boy artists. Mase, of course, heavily contributed to Life After Death and became the Bad Boy golden child in the wake of B.I.G.’s 1997 murder, but felt that he was never paid fairly by Diddy, resulting in stints as a pastor and rapper on other labels.
In the prior week’s episode of It Is What It Is, Mase said he had to “escape” Bad Boy, recalling, “Even though I made those decisions and it cost me money, that’s why [when] I got with [Cam’Ron], [God] gave me the money back. I didn’t [really] lose no money. Destiny.”
Shortly after, he made his widely embraced comeback in 2004 with the track “Welcome Back.” However, his passion for the game had dwindled. In the years following a nasty feud with his former label head, Diddy was all the public could talk about. On Friday, March 22, during a recent episode of his co-hosted podcast, It Is What It Is, he claimed his retirement from rap was ultimately to “escape” Diddy.
“Everything, now, that we see playing out was all the things that I escaped,” he said, seemly referring to the mountain of allegations Diddy is facing. “The car. The Shyne. The Loon. Puff Daddy. Craig Mack. Biggie Smalls. So, even though I made those decisions and it cost me money, that’s why [when] I got with [Cam’Ron], [God] gave me the money back. I didn’t [really] lose no money. Destiny.”
What started as a conversation about the start of Kobe (R.I.P.) and Vanessa Bryant’s relationship, life, and destiny led Mase to think about his past.
Watch the full episode above (however, the remarks start around the 1-minute and 4-second mark).
Being one of the hottest sports shows in 2024, Cam’ron and Mase and going to be receiving more than their fair share of criticism from fans, colleagues and athletes alike. After their critique of men who marry or have children with women who were previously in relationships with other famous men, they mentioned Dallas Cowboys star Trevor Diggs recently having a child with the mother of Future and Bow Wow’s children, Joie Chavis.
Cam inquired as to why an athlete or entertainer would want to be with some3one else’s “leftovers”, but Diggs replied to the It Is What It Is hosts, saying on X, “You like 50 mentioning me on your platform Gomd.” He added, “I was 5 when you was rapping, ain’t no way you speaking on me rn.”
Cam and Mase responded with the obvious, stating that they’re not rapping, but reporting on current events and hot topics in the news. They also let him know that their analyzation of the current trend of second hand companions.
On the most recent episode of It Is What It Is podcast, co-host Ma$e claimed that if he played in today’s NBA, he feels “like I could play against these n-ggas.”
Making a very bold, yet possibly realistic statement as a former high school b-ball standout, the former Bad Boy artist said after speaking about Lebron dropping 40,000 points in his career, “40,000 points is a remarkable feat. I just think it’s a cupcake league, for real. I think in this league today, if I was in top shape, I could probably average about 15, 16. I’m just keeping it real,” he chuckled. The former Manhattan Center shooting guard added, “When I ain’t make it in my generation, I felt like, yeah, it was a few n-ggas that was probably better than me. This generation? I feel like I could play against these n-ggas.”
Go to the 29:00 mark of the podcast to hear Ma$e’s commentary:
Ma$e even added his former teammate and co-host Camron to the convo, saying, “I think Killa, you coulda probably played 20 years against these n-ggas today. You woulda averaged probably about 18.”
Cam replied, “In my prime? Maybe. I’d have to work on my jump shot. They didn’t let us shoot jump shots. Crazy shit it, I had a great jump shot when I stopped playing basketball. When we played basketball, coach would almost want to assassinate you if shot a jump shot. You had to go to the basket.”
2024 has only just begun, but already the news cycle in the hip-hop world has taken us on a rollercoaster. For the femcees, the drama between Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj, as well as a slightly less tense feud between Latto and Ice Spice has been at the centre of internet discourse. As for male artists, the Diddy scandal unearthed by Cassie continues to bring forth other damning allegations, meanwhile, Dame Dash is doing everything in his power to hold onto his Roc-A-Fella shares amid a time of financial strife.
Last week it was reported that the music executive would have to sell his stake in the company to pay off an $800K+ debt he owes. Now, sources are saying Cam’ron and Mase might be the new owners of those shares; these rumours were addressed during a new episode of It Is What It Is this week. When the rappers’ co-host, Stat Baby, asked about the validity of the gossip, they couldn’t help but giggle about the situation for some time. “Let’s just say hypothetically, right?” Mase said with a grin while pulling money out of his coat pocket.
In response to their unofficial confirmation, some hip-hop heads think this is the best move possible for Dash. “I mean, Dame ain’t tryna seel it to Jay, so s**t, why not? I say ask for $3M and walk away knowing it’s in good hands. If Cam and Mase acquire it, then it’s win for them both ’cause now Cam with the ROC and Mase get a win ’cause of those jabs Hov took at ’em,” one person wrote under @thehiphopwolf’s post.
Dame Dash is in a tough spot, with upwards of $800K still owed to a film producer who’s actively trying to get his money. Thankfully, Jay-Z and “Biggs” Burke are doing their part to keep his Roc-A-Fella shares in his name, though this rumoured deal has the potential to shake everything up. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Hip Hop is rife with numerous rap beefs. However, these friendships, rivalries, and everything in between have significantly contributed to the evolution of the genre. Nonetheless, few narratives are as interesting as the bond and beef between Cam’ron and Mase (Ma$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.
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.
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”.
December 2004: Purple Haze
Months after the release of Mase’s third album Welcome Back, Cam’ron released the album, PurpleHaze. He tapped Juelz Santana and Un Kasa for the track “Take ‘Em to Church,” which served as another diss track to Mase. “Everybody Welcoming this, welcoming that / He wasn’t welcome in the first place, how we welcome him back?” Juelz raps before Un Kasa interjects, “Give me the MAC, let me welcome with that/ Tell ‘Mr. Rogers’, I leave his brains on the trolley track,” a perceived reference to Mase’s “Welcome Back” music video that takes inspiration from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. “This my call by the false prophet, all profit / Harlem hustler, I can’t at all knock it / But you hard when you go in the lord pockets? Do Harlem a favor, get a church or something,” Cam’ron follows up. In 2005, Mase joined G-Unit in 2005. The following year, Cam’ron, in an interview with XXL Magazine, swore that he would never speak to Mase again.
2009-2010: A Brief Truce
Come 2009, the matter had died down enough between the former friends. In fact, Mase shouted out Dipset and offered an apology to Cam’ron and Jim Jones while on DJ Self’s show. At Hud 6’s funeral in 2010 however, Mase was notably absent, and this upset Cam’ron. While performing a tribute freestyle, Cam’ron yelled out, “Yo, fuck Mase.”
March 2017: Cam’ron Checks Mase’s Time As A Pastor
Several years went by before the beef between Cam’ron and Mase came up again. During an Instagram Live, Cam’ron shared his own insights on why he believed Mase had become a pastor. “See, that’s what Mase did,” he said. “Mase went real wild. He said, ‘Yo, they can’t beef with me, they can’t ask me for nothing. I’m gonna throw on the Rev. Run collar and get the heck out of here.’”
November 2017: Cam’ron And Mase Fire Shots At Each Other
In November, Cam’ron hit Mase with yet another diss track, with the release of “It’s Killa.” However, this time, Mase returned his shots with the track, “The Oracle.” He addressed the years of controversy and put forth some strong allegations against Cam’ron. “Ever since 10 you was a thirsty nigga / I ain’t gon’ talk about the time you fucked your sister,” he rapped.
The very next night, Cam’ron released “Dinner Time” in response. Both rappers then took to Instagram to continue their back-and-forth beef. The argument eventually simmered down, and the two rappers called a truce. Mase then went on Twitter and declared himself the winner, while Cam’ron commented on the tweet: “When u leaving Harlem again? 2mr?”
2022: Cam’ron And Mase Squash Their Beef
After signing to Death Row Records, Mase appeared in a video shared by the rapper’s sister. In the clip, he is seen reconciling with Cam’ron during a phone call. As Mase asks, “Killa, what’s good?,” the pair share a laugh, before Mase teases his friend once more with the line, “Where’s Mr. Petty at these days?” And just like that… the long-standing beef was finally put to rest. Shortly after, the tour began planning to tour together with Jadakiss, though those plans eventually fizzled out.
2023: It Is What It Is
In 2023, Cam’ron launched an independently produced sports news talk show, titled It Is What It Is, with Mase as his co-host. Since the show’s debut, it has garnered widespread internet attention and viral success. In fact, despite substantial interest from potential buyers, Cam’ron has revealed that he has turned down numerous multi-million dollar offers for the purchase of the show. Nonetheless, they inked a deal with Underdog Fantasy for a whopping $30 million. Today, he and Mase continue to excel on the show, proving that their friendship can weather any storm.
Ma$e was performing abroad in New Zealand and felt compelled to lead the crowd in Prayer. The moment delivered a powerful message to the start of 2024.
“I accept you as my lord and my savior,” Ma$e said. “I’m healed, I’m delivered, I’m rich, all is well, nothing is broken, and nothing is missing. All 2024.”
After seeing how well Cam’ron and Mase work together on It Is What It Is, viewers who are less educated in the subject of hip-hop history are beginning to question why the two stars were ever at odds in the first place. To help satisfy their curosity, the Dipset alum addressed the situation during a new interview on the All the Smoke podcast, which finally landed on YouTube this week. During his sitdown, Killa Cam recalls taking Jim Jones’ advice to bring a real gun to his Paid in Full audition, and takes responsibility for the role he played in his drama with Mase.
“Mase gave me an opportunity to get my first record deal,” the 47-year-old said. “He did a video for me – my first video ‘357,’ which was dope. And then I had another single with him, ‘Horse & Carriage,’ and he didn’t do that video so my label started gassing me like, ‘Yo why your man ain’t doing the video? He want $50,000 to do the video.’” At that time, Cam’ron was younger and more ego based, allowing himself to feed into the narratives about his friend, leading to them falling out but eventually becoming cool again.
He also told the podcasters that seeing Mase spending time strengthening his connection to God put a rift between them. “Then you know, he went to church. I kinda didn’t understand it at the time because that’s my man all day and I’m like, where church come from?” the multi-talent recalled pondering. “So I started bugging out on him because of that. To be honest with you, the whole s**t was my fault and just not understanding the kind of path he was on at the time. So I kinda was going at him on records and shit and he was ignoring me and shit, then one day he made ‘The Oracle’ and kinda flushed me one day. I was like, ‘That was pretty tough.’”
Watch Cam’ron’s full interview with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the All the Smoke podcast above. Would you like to hear the legendary lyricist collaborate with Mase on music again? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Recording artists are no longer limiting themselves to music. Several entertainers like Dua Lipa have jumped head first into different parts of media. For rappers Cam’ron and Mase, their love for sports inspired them to launch their breakout podcast, It Is What It Is.
Since its inception, the show has been a steady fix of viral content. But when do new episodes of Cam’ron and Mase’s podcast come out? According to the official YouTube channel that hosts each episode, as well as the podcast’s Instagram page, It Is What It Is streams at 8 a.m. on Monday through Friday and on Sundays.
Based on Vibe’s reports, the podcast hosted by the duo alongside Treasure Wilson, inked an eight-figure deal with sports betting company Underdog Fantasy. The show has also landed Cam’ron and Mase on Complex Sports’ Top 25 Most Entertaining Sports Media Personalities list.
During an interview with the outlet, Cam’ron spoke about his rise in sports media. “People just like to hear me talk ’cause they know it’s really no filter when I talk,” he said. “So, I’m offered all types of podcasts daily, from being a host to being a guest. I argue when I am on the phone with my n****s, and by the time I look at the phone, it says two hours and seven minutes. I’ll be like, yo, I’m getting the f*ck off the phone with you… So you got people who debate all day about sports. So when I said, “I want to do this sh*t,” I was like, yo, “a professional setting with real n**** dialogue or barbershop talk or beauty salon.”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
50 Cent and Mase took various shots at Diddy for his sexual assault accusations. The G-Unit mogul recently shared an old freestyle of the Jacksonville native’s in which he disses Sean Combs. “this might be the illest Ma$E verse ever!!!!” one fan expressed on social media. “Empty pipes when cliques get called,” Mase spits. “And go to church on Sunday, I’m the illest of all. Don’t ever put Mase with other Bad Boys who had hardships, you know I get it jumping like a mosh pit, n***a. On the verse level, dirt level, I can never work level. N***as mad I made it to the ‘I would never work’ level. Since Cain killed Abel, I’m able to kill Cain, and Love don’t steal, my n***a, change your name. I see no integrity in your name, and I’m haunted by the Ghost of St. James.
“Champagne king, match my Rollie, Plain Jane. And I say, thank God I ain’t changed, and if n***as never found the killer, why is n***as living, then? Everybody broke, n***as gotta blame the visionary. N***as be selling they soul to go to a brunch, n***as might end up sweet, drinking that punch. I suffer good, and n***as know I’m from another hood. Forget a brotherhood, I’m trying to make sure that my mother good. I ain’t Sheek, but I’m really colder than Ghost. No matter who top five, I’m one colder than most. I’m the ghost of Wolf, ghost of RZA, come with the facts you never considered. I’m the ghost of Shyne, I speak for every artist that never spoke they mind, representing every artist that was left behind, from Craig Mack to G. Dep. I still remember them kids chanting for every producer you ever stole a sample.
“Why you playing with me knowing I make examples? N***as hide behind money, you know that’s not a man move. You know you Frank and I’m Tony, you know that it would get lonely. It’s never safe if you owe me, you know that saying’s true. You had a chance to do right, now understand it. You can’t starve a n***a that came from Wicked, can you? Karma came and gave him daughters for what he did to Kim Porter, made the day he dies, he rest in piss water! He could’ve changed his life, that n***a could’ve saved his life. Now it ain’t no way to fight, now he waving white. I know your strategies and what your habits be. Right now, I got a role in your faculties, so when you get the nerve to come after me, with audacity.
“Gotta know that dollar sign wasn’t rapping free. Actually, after Big died, what a travesty. When Mase left, n***a, wasn’t nobody after me. Guess I got the last laugh… They ain’t laughing, huh? N***as stay strapping up, ’94 massacre, can’t blackball Mase, the ball ain’t Black enough. Tupac chorus, n***a, I ain’t even mad at you. Pretty n***a always make their hearts melt, yeah. Yes, you can say I know how ‘Pac felt. I’m just a Harlem n***a riding down a Vegas strip with my own Suge, you from Mount Vernon, n***a, go and rep your own hood! I’m not hating on your Billy worth. Right now, I’m only saying what you really worth. You ain’t an architect, you just a n***a that market death. Go pay his mother what she really worth, n***a.” For more on these artists, stay logged into HNHH.
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