Opinion: Ma$e is a walking publicity stunt

The irrelevant rapper and former Bad Boy MC is now seeking headlines. That’s why Ma$e aka Mason Betha. The flashy and shiny suits head honcho. The famous side-kick and close associate of Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy aka P. Diddy aka Diddy. He made his career with Bad Boy records and the “Harlem World” (1997) was the project that signified him. It went four times platinum!

Mase has fallen off since then. He has dropped two more projects. The sophomore LP was released in 1999 called “Double Up”. Later in his career he became a Pastor and had a church in Atlanta, Georgia. While returning with the LP “Welcome Back” in 2004. However that didn’t give him the success and the results of the past. Both these projects only got certified as gold, which was a far away from the success of “Harlem World”.

Since he returned from his tenure of being a pastor to the rap game. He went as far as relaunching “Murda Mase” and tried to get signed to the G-Unit and 50 Cent in 2005. That was certainly to get more leverage and be part of the new powerhouse of New York. However, his former label head Diddy didn’t allow that to happen. Therefore, he was only featuring on records, but never really signed to the label. Though he followed 50 Cent around for a while.

Now in 2022 he suddenly said his in Los Angles and signed to Death Row Records. The company which was in a vicious battle with Bad Boy Records in the 1990s. That infamous battle of the most prolific MCs Notorious B.I.G of Bad Boy and Tupac Shakur of Death Row. This will always signify that era and the outcome of these records labels.

So, that the former Bad Boy rapper claims or alleges to be signed to Death Row is sort of a big deal. The Death Row today is owned by Snoop Dogg. That would be a weird start to go back in time and sign an irrelevant rapper. It isn’t like Mase has made any records worthy of the streaming era. His only talked about because of interviews and sudden outrageous acts.

The 46 year rapper and former Pastor is acting all out. It is like he has to create fuzz. Just like he did with the contract situation of Fivio Foreign lately. Now he does this and says his signed. The man who wasn’t vouched to go to G Unit. What will he do at Death Row in 2022? What value would Snoop see in Mase?

Mase would fit a tax-write off and a liability, but not a credible project. There only been two projects dropped from the new Death Row and they have both been Snoop Dogg heavy. The “Bacc on Death Row” and the Death Row Summer Album. So, in 2022 the releases and the production of music has been in the lane of the label in the past. Which Mase isn’t fitting into or sounds just outlandish really.

Ma$e just wants the vibes, to be the talk of the town and be the centre of the universe again. Surely must miss the days of “Harlem World” but those days are long gone. That is proven and his momentum is gone. Unless, he all of a sudden makes a hit independently and it’s played everywhere. However, I don’t see that coming anytime soon.

I’m just wondering if he gets anything out of it. Yes, it create headlines and little press, but not something worthwhile. Instead of trying to create proper records and tracks on wax. His just being a loudmouth.

What is striking at one point he was on the trajectory of something great within the Bad Boy era. He instead wasted that and has since then worked to get back to that. Which seems impossible and the fad has moved on. That’s why even Diddy had to reinvent himself and his record label even went poppy with the likes of Danity Kane at one point.

So, Mase should either become an record-label executive in his own rights or try to drop songs that matters. Though he doesn’t seem capable of either things. Since, the last few weeks only been a shit-show. Not a good look, but then again. We are talking about him. Peace.

Opinion: Will Snoop Dogg be able to revive the Death Row?

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. aka Snoop Dogg aka Uncle Snoop has acquired the legendary Hip Hop record label Death Row for an undisclosed amount. For a hot minute the Toy Company Hasbro owned it before selling to the Blackstone Group, which today is revealed has sold to the Hip Hop Legend, entrepreneur and actor Snoop Dogg, which is a unique day for anyone who follows or has interests in this.

Snoop has bought the label, which made him prominent and gave him a career in the first. The record label where he dropped albums, features and part-took in the G-Funk and Gangsta Rap era of the 1990s, which was dominated by Death Row. That’s because of its rooster of skilled MCs, Producers and genius marketing, which made the LPs, Singles and everything was selling.

The whole Death Row was smoking fire. All artists at some point became wealthy and could get good royalties. It was the place to be and to prosper. However, the whole premise of the gangster and thug life was also it’s downfall. As the co-founders split, court-cases, shady-business practices and the early demise and unresolved killing of Tupac Shakur has always followed the label. Therefore, it is special that Snoop buys it and possibly revives it.

As Daz Dillinger sued the label to get his ends. Dr. Dre left the label and started Aftermath. Crooked I was left behind and Kurupt had to return. There been so many stories and backstabbing, as the label lost relevance and others took it’s place in hip hop. However, the era and the classic albums lives on. The discography and the catalogue of the Record Label must be one of the unique assets and recordings, which will stand the test of time.

However, Snoop has big shoes to fill and have to market the label in new era. Which the labels and the record companies are fighting for revenue in new aspects, as the streaming and short-sighted fandoms quickly moves. The quickly produced and released tracks to stay relevant, as well as the social media push is more vital than ever. It is like another world since the first inception of Death Row.

Snoop has connections and is a beloved character now. Who can sell and be used in any sort of product. That’s why he has voiced over GPS Systems to be recently selling BIC Lighters. Therefore, you know his good at branding and selling his character at this point.

However, the Death Row to be revived… it need both the spirit of the past and also new breed of acts to be viable. That will be a refreshing thing. As the West-Coast needs a star on the horizon. Yes, Kendrick Lamar is the biggest name, but his not in the realm of Death Row. K.Dot is more in is his own lane and closer to J. Cole’s of the world. Nothing wrong with that, but that is the reality here. The Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) brought similarities to it, but not as successful as Death Row. However, who could think of getting into those levels of success and respectability…

Death Row doesn’t have to be big, but the ones remembering it. It was everywhere and the artists was everything. They were inspirational and was it. Not just some random blokes, but the rappers and MCs who inspired you to write and imagine their world.

Let’s hope Snoop Dogg will bring some of it back with the purchase of Death Row. He is seemingly the one and his team can bring the best out of it. There is a need for it.

Now am just waiting for THA ROW to return and hear new tales of that THUG LIFE. Peace.

Tupac Talks Donald Trump & Greed in America in 1992 Interview | MTV News (Youtube-Clip)

“Tupac Shakur passionately explains his views on generosity and responsibility, traits he feels some people with extreme wealth like Donald Trump lack, in this MTV News clip from 1992” (MTV News, 2016).