O.J. Simpson’s last interview was with Cam’ron and Ma$e on the It Is What It Is show. The duo shared a tribute to the late football star and American icon on Instagram:
1st OF ALL WE WANT TO SEND OUR HEART FELT CONDOLENCES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF #OJSIMPSON 2nd OF ALL WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU “UNCLE O” FOR GRACING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE, YOU WERE DEFINITELY ONE OF A KIND, YOU BECAME “UNCLE O” TO US CAUSE IT WAS LIKE HAVING A REAL UNCLE AROUND, YOU WERE FUNNY & VERY DOWN TO EARTH… WHEN WE SIGNED OUR DEAL THE FIRST CO-HOST WE THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING WAS “UNCLE O” WE SAID OH WE GONE BREAK THE INTERNET WITH #OJ & THAT WE DID, YOU HELPED MAKE OUR SHOW 10x’s BETTER & EVERYONE LOVED YOU… WE WILL CHERISH THESE LAST MEMORIES WE WERE ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU… YOU WILL FOREVER BE APART OF THE #ITISWHATITISTALK FAMILY WE LOVE YOU “UNCLE O”…. #LLTHEJUICE
Cam’ron and Mase have rebranded themselves as podcasters. The titans of New York rap have found tremendous success with their sports talk show It Is What It Is, and part of their success stemmed from their ability to book huge guests. The first guest they ever booked? O.J. Simpson. The controversial NFL star was actually one of the most frequent co-hosts on It Is What It Is, which meant his recent passing at age 76 hit the show hard. Cam and Mase took to Instagram to pay their respects.
The duo posted a montage of It Is What It Is episodes featuring O.J. Simpson, along with a caption that expressed their sadness. “We just want to say thank you to Uncle O for gracing us with your presence,” they wrote. “You were definitely one of a kind, you became Uncle O to use cause it was like having a real uncle around. You were very funny and down to Earth.” Cam and Mase then detailed the circumstances in which they first linked up with Simpson. Unbeknownst to longtime listeners, the “Juice” was one of the first co-hosts that were ever considered for the show.
“When we signed our deal the first co-host we thought about having was Uncle O,” they revealed. “We said oh we gone break the internet with #OJ and that we did. You helped make our show 10x better and everyone loved you.” Cam’ron and Mase concluded their heartfelt message by giving thanks to Simpson for his insight and his willingness to poke fun at himself. “We will cherish these last memories we were able to share with you,” the duo added. “You will forever be apart of the It Is What It Is family.”
Unsurprisingly, the episode of It Is What It Is that aired April 12 (two days after Simpson’s passing) was dedicated to him. Cam’ron, Mase, Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson and special guest Maurice Clarett spoke at length about the NFL star’s impact on the show. They also praised his sports acumen and his ability to speak candidly and convincingly on the subject of football.
O.J. Simpson’s family confirmed his death via X (formerly Twitter). They are asking that the public “respect their wishes for privacy and grace” at this time.
Mase has no remorse for Diddy after his homes were raided. He even highlighted the execution of the federal operations on the anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death album.
“Reparations is getting closer and closer,” Mase said in the opener of It Is What It Is with Cam’ron. “I’ll be sure to give you your percentage.”
Later on he would say the moment is “The big payback.”
You can hear it all from Mase below.
Mase calls Diddy’s homes getting raided by Homeland Security for sex trafficking “the big payback” and says it’s amazing that all that transpired on the anniversary of Biggie’s album “Life After Death.”
In 1999, Harlem World burst into the Hip Hop scene with their debut album The Movement. While it remains the sole album the Ma$e-led group ever released, they certainly left their mark on the music world with the body of work. March 9, 2024 marked 25 years since Harlem World released The Movement. Admittedly, many new Hip Hop heads will be unfamiliar with the group since they peaked in 1999. However, back then, for a brief moment, Harlem World was one of the most exciting new Hip Hop groups. Despite their disbandment, their legacy has lived on through The Movement, and the album has aged well enough.
Harlem World was formed by Mase, a prominent figure in the rap scene and the current host of It Is What Is Is, and featured a collective of talented artists. All seven of the group’s members hailed from the popular neighborhood in New York City where they started rapping. After being formed in 1995, they began working on their then-untitled debut album. Subsequently, on March 9, 1999, Harlem World released The Movement through So So Def Recordings/Columbia Records.
At the time of its release, Harlem was experiencing a resurgence of cultural and artistic vitality. This era of creativity and expression provided the perfect backdrop for the group to channel their experiences, aspirations, and struggles into their music. Before The Movement, Harlem World did not release any non-album singles, and neither were they featured by another artist. Their debut album was their official introduction to the world.
Words And Sounds Of The Movement
One of this album’s most defining features is its eclectic mix of musical styles. It blends Hip Hop, R&B, and soul with effortless finesse, creating a rich and immersive soundscape. Being that it features an impressive lineup of producers, the sonic excellence of The Movement is not surprising. Some of the sound alchemists credited on the project are The Neptunes, Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Evidently, Harlem World and Mase were determined to create an amazing project. Songwriting was handled by members of the group, with additional help from some renowned songwriters. These include Skip Scarborough, Melvin Smalls, as well as the aforementioned Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams, among others.
Throughout the 17-track album, several artists make guest appearances. For example, Carl Thomas and Nas are featured on “You Made Me,” Nauty on “Minute Man,” and Rashad on “Not The Kids.” Additionally, Mase, who is also an executive producer on the album, appears on four tracks. These are, “Crew Of The Year,” “Across The Border,” “One Big Fiesta,” and “I Really Like It,” which also features Kelly Price. Drag-On, The Teamsters, Rashad, Jermaine Dupri, and Boys Choir of Harlem round off the featured acts on The Movement.
Harlem World only released two tracks from The Movement as singles, “I Really Like It” and “Cali Chronic.” Without a doubt, those are two of the album’s standout tracks, as well as its most successful. They appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, peaking at numbers 61 and 87 respectively. Some other strong entries on the album are “Not The Kids” and “One Big Fiesta” ft. Mase.
The Legacy Of Harlem World
After Harlem World dropped The Movement in 1999, the album received not-so-favorable reviews from critics. However, other listeners seemed to love the project, and it was a commercial success. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA just a month after its release. Unfortunately, Harlem World disbanded later in 1999 despite the success of The Movement. Nevertheless, their work was already done as The Movement was already out in the world. 25 years after its release, the album continues to carry the legacy of the short-lived Hip Hop group.
Well-renowned rapper and now popular sports talk show host Cam’ron graces the latest GQ Magazine cover. Cam’ron was previously featured in Billboard Magazine and became the face of Kith’s Spring 2022 collection. Kith collaborated with Cam’ron and Swiss Beats for their “Last Stop” single.
In the interview, Cam’ron discussed with the magazine how he grew “It Is What It Is” to one of the hottest sports shows in the past calendar year. It also sheds light on how the show became a reconciliation between the Harlemites, Cam’ron, and Ma$e. The article expounded on their rekindled relationship as GQ writer Frazier Tharpe wrote:
“For all the laugh-out-loud moments they produce, ‘It Is What It Is’ yields some genuinely touching moments. ‘Me and Mase are kind of the same n-gga,’” Cam says, “There’s a lot of shit me and him been through that other people that I’m around may not know. Me and him remembering a lot of shit that we did [in real time] is super cool. Because sometimes he’ll bring up some shit that I forgot about, or vice versa.” An interaction that started off jokey turned emotional when Cam asked Mase on-air why he took him directly to B.I.G. instead of Bad Boy proper. Mase takes a moment to carefully phrase his response: “Biggie would do right by you.” Last week, on a show taped on Cam’s birthday, Mase gave him $20,000—a stack for every year that they did not speak. Cam said he’d likely just spend the money on a gift for Mase.
Diddy has been in the news constantly in the past several weeks, regarding several salacious improprieties in both his business and personal relationships. While it’s no secret that misfortune has befallen many of Diddy’s known collaborators, Mase has remained one of the most fascinating figures in the rap mogul’s orbit. Mase has been lucky enough to escape from his tumultuous tenure at Bad Boy records. However, the prolific performing artist has maintained a years-long feud with Diddy, mostly due to financial and business disagreements.
Mase first quit music in 1999 to pursue his newfound passion as a minister. During his time at the Bad Boy label, several unfortunate events transpired which prompted the “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” rapper to find God. Some of these events may include the violent and untimely death of labelmate The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. At the time, the Bad Boy label also dealt with a number of legal issues, leading to the incarceration of several artists. Shyne, for instance, faced a conviction for armed assault in connection to a 1999 shooting incident.
Mase came out of retirement on two occasions. Once in 2004 with an album titled Welcome Back, and again in 2009 with a non-album single titled “Get It” and later, Double Up. Unfortunately, his 2009 reemergence was halted by label antics, prompting Mase to crash Diddy’s live radio interview with V103’s Ryan Cameron. Mase stormed into the interview, armed with documents that the rapper claims absolved him from his label requirements, allowing him to function as a free agent. Diddy allegedly signed the documents, allowing Mase to perform as a featured artist on other rappers’ songs. It was later revealed, however, that Bad Boy Records had kept the publishing rights to all of Mase’s music, retaining control over the minister’s career on the mic.
In the years since the initial spat, Diddy and Mase have each taken public shots at one another. In 2020, Mase took to Instagram to lament that Diddy refused to sell him back his publishing rights, even going so far as to claim that he offered the mogul over $2 million for the entire catalog. The rapper-turned-minister even put his frustration on wax in a 2022 track titled “Oracle 2: The Liberation of Mason Betha.”
In the track, Mase raps “Yeah, I’m just a Harlem n***a reppin’ down a Vegas strip with my own Suge. You from Mt. Vernon, n***a, go and rep your own hood… You ain’t no architect, you just a n***a who know how to market death.” Diddy reacted to the track by branding Mase a “fake pastor.” He also asserted that Mase still owed the label a $3 million album advance for a project that he never delivered.
As of this writing, the most recent update in the ongoing Mase vs. Diddy saga came in September of 2023, when Diddy claimed the pair had made up. During a Billboard interview, Diddy stated, “You know, we’re brothers and brothers fight. I love him and that’s it,” in response to a query about whether the two had reconciled. Of course, we’ve heard the pair sing this tune before, so there’s no telling if and when this beef could heat up again.
Cam’ron is not holding back after former video vixen Melyssa Fordaccused him and his co-host Mase of engaging in sexual acts with underage girls. The legendary Harlem rapper has since threatened to sue for defamation.
Cam’ron Goes OFF
Cam’ron has responded to Melyssa Ford’s recent accusations, claiming that he and Mase engaged in sexual activities with underage girls. On Dec. 7, the former Dipset member went live on Instagram and addressed the allegations made by Ford:
“Thats some foul sh*t to say …and the times we in for you to make them type of allegations, [when you] don’t know what the f*ck you talking. You serious?” Cam’ron said.
Cam’ron also stated that he was contemplating a defamation lawsuit and took a dig at Ford for offering what he called a “fake apology.”
“I don’t even know who convinced her to do this shit, but whoever did, that was smart because now if I sue n*ggas for defamation of character, I’m a sucker, right? Well, I might be a sucker. I don’t know yet, I’m thinking about it … pause.”
Cam’ron wasn’t feeling the comments Melyssa Ford made about him, accusing him and his co-host Mase of engaging in sexual acts with underage girls.
Cam also joked about Ford not being from America, since she’s Canadian:
“You can’t just say shit like that and two days later be like, ‘Oh, my bad. I wasn’t thinking.’ You damn right you wasn’t thinking! Why say that in the beginning? You not even from here! You not even from this country!”
What Happened?
Users on Twitter (X) reacted to Cam’ron going after Ford on his live.
One user named @R9Hov commented, “This is corny..all the guys from the JBP scolded Melissa when she said that shit, “and one other user named @M4 was dead wrong for that comment. I deff understand why he’s going off like this.”
The conflict originated on Nov. 29, when Cam shared a story on his sports show, It Is What It Is, about him and his co-host Mase, having encounters with escorts in the 1990s. In response, during an episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, where Ford is a co-host, they reacted to the story and raised concerns that some of the escorts might have been underage girls.
“Is there a distinct possibility that there may have been underage girls in that whore house?” Ford asked.
Joe Budden would respond to Ford by saying, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s disgusting what you’re doing.”
Neither Ford nor Budden has responded directly to Cam’ron’s comments, leaving the situation unresolved for the time being.
‘It Is What It Is’
In August 2023, Cam’ron and Mase found success outside of music with their sports talk show, It Is What It Is,securing an eight-figure deal with Underdog Fantasy.
The duo covers a range of sports topics, conducts athlete interviews, and offers sports analysis, showcasing their talents beyond the rap industry.
In September 2023, Mase allegedly reconciled with former label boss Diddy, resolving their two-decade-long feud. Cam’ron revealed that Mase finally received his publishing from Diddy. Notably, however, Diddy faced allegations of sexually assaulting an underage girl in 2003, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Tasha K Sued For Defamation By Cardi B
This incident echoes another recent defamation case involving YouTuber Tasha K, and Cardi B. Tasha K faced a lawsuit from Cardi B for suggesting that the Bronx rapper had an STD and worked as a prostitute, with Cardi claiming emotional distress caused by these statements.
In the tumultuous world of hip-hop, where alliances and friendships are often tested, moments of unwavering support stand out as powerful symbols of camaraderie. One such unforgettable moment involves Mase and Cam’ron, where the latter defended Mase from the formidable Dame Dash with nothing but a baseball bat. The incident not only underscores the complexities of the music industry but also highlights the strength of genuine friendships in the face of adversity.
The story unfolds in the late ’90s when Mase, known for his smooth flow and infectious hooks, faced a heated conflict with Dame Dash, a prominent music and fashion industry figure. The details of the dispute remain somewhat shrouded in hip-hop lore, but what is clear is that tensions reached a boiling point, leading to a confrontation that could have escalated into something far more dire.
Enter Cam’ron, the Harlem-based rapper and longtime friend of Mase. In a show of unwavering loyalty, Cam’ron reportedly stepped in to defend Mase from Dame Dash, armed with nothing but a baseball bat. The image of a rapper standing up for his friend with a seemingly unconventional choice of weapon became etched in hip-hop history, a testament to the lengths true friends are willing to go to protect each other.
Mase, reflecting on this incident years later, acknowledged the profound impact of Cam’ron’s intervention. In an industry often characterized by competition and rivalry, the sight of a friend literally wielding a baseball bat in defense is a powerful symbol of loyalty. It speaks to the bonds formed in the trenches of Harlem, where artists faced the challenges of the music business and the complexities of personal relationships.
The incident prompts reflection on the multifaceted nature of the hip-hop world, where collaborations and creative partnerships are often intertwined with personal relationships. Mase and Cam’ron’s friendship goes beyond the confines of a recording studio or stage, transcending into a brotherhood forged in the crucible of their shared experiences and struggles.
Moreover, the baseball bat incident serves as a reminder of the precarious nature of success in the music industry. As artists navigate the ever-changing landscape, the support of genuine friends becomes an invaluable anchor. Cam’ron’s bold defense of Mase underscores the significance of having allies who will stand by you in moments of triumph and during times of conflict and adversity.
In conclusion, Mase’s reflection on Cam’ron defending him from Dame Dash with a baseball bat offers a glimpse into the profound bonds formed in hip-hop. Beyond the beats and rhymes, the incident speaks to the importance of friendship and loyalty in an industry where alliances are constantly tested. As Mase revisits this chapter in his life, it serves as a reminder that, in the face of challenges, true friends are willing to swing for the fences to protect one another.
Cam’ron and Mase have struck a lucrative eight-figure deal with Underdog Fantasy for their sports talk show It Is What It Is. On August 21, the Harlem rap veterans announced on Instagram, expressing their gratitude to Underdog Fantasy for recognizing the value of their show. Analyzing Sports With a Hip-Hop Twist It Is What It […]
The highly anticipated MADE IN AMERICA festival is returning triumphantly to Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, promising an unforgettable experience with an extraordinary lineup. Since its inception, this festival has become a Labor Day weekend staple, attracting renowned artists and emerging talents to the City of Brotherly Love.
With its strong community focus, the Made In America festival has significantly impacted Philadelphia’s economy, contributing over $180 million since its two-day debut in 2012. This year, the festival will host Cause Village again, a platform dedicated to promoting and supporting various organizations tackling vital causes such as education, voter registration, animal welfare, LGBTQIA+ rights, arts and culture, social justice, and mental health.
Among the partners for Made In America 2023 are D’USSE, HUD, the United States Virgin Islands, and White Claw.
The full lineup for the festival is truly star-studded, with headliners SZA and Lizzo gracing the stage. Joining them are Miguel, Tems, Metro Boomin, Ice Spice, Coi Leray, Latto, Lil Yachty, Doechii, Lola Brooke, Coco Jones, Paris Texas, TiaCorine, Eem Triplin, Flau’jae Johnson, Tanerélle, and Weston Estate. A special joint set by Mase and Cam’ron is also set to captivate the audience.
The festival will occur on Saturday, September 2, 2023, and Sunday, September 3, 2023, at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, PA.
WE LOVE YOU “UNCLE O”…. #LLTHEJUICE
It Is What It Is/YouTube) 
