After nine years, Ma$e is returning to the studio for what will be his fourth LP. The former Bad Boy rapper made the announcement on Twitter Friday (Oct. 19) night, revealing both the album title, Now We Even, and his dream collaborations for his new LP.
y€$ #NOWWEEVEN is the album title… Lets make it happen!!!
— MA$E (@MasonBetha) October 18, 2013
The Harlem World emcee began hinting his return earlier this summer. Mase made a cameo aside Diddy at Drake’s fourth annual OVO Fest in Toronto this August where he performed “Feel So Good” and “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems” with his former Bad Boy boss. Shortly after, it was rumored that the rapper would be making a comeback, possibly on Drake’s OVO label, not with his former home at Bad Boy. (In a previous interview Mase revealed he’d consider signing to both Kanye West’s GOOD Music and Drake’s OVO Sound.) However, the new LP’s title suggests it could possibly be a Bad Boy release, settling his differences and obligations to Diddy’s notorious hip-hop label. While Mase has yet to announce with who he’ll be releasing the new LP, he did reveal that Drake was still one of his ideal collaborations, along with Lauryn Hill, Cee Lo Green and 2 Chainz. He also wasn’t shy about the throwback direction he was taking on his first and “special” effort since 2004’s Welcome Back.
This is what my ideal album would look like: mslaurynhill @2Chainz (s_c_ or @Drake) seal ceelogreen… http://t.co/xWYoSmfuNA
— MA$E (@MasonBetha) October 18, 2013
Right now I’m listening to all my early freestyles & songs… This got to be something special. A couple free shows & visits #NOWWEEVEN
— MA$E (@MasonBetha) October 18, 2013
I’m listening also to Life after Death, All Eyes On Me and Reasonable Doubt… Just so u know what I’m thinking. #NOWWEEVEN
— MA$E (@MasonBetha) October 18, 2013
Now We Even has no release date, but it couldn’t come at a more opportune time. With fresh faces and hip-hop crews dominating the scene, having an OG like Mase, who still continues to influence hip-hop’s emcees, come out of hiding is perhaps just what hip-hop ordered. Welcome back Mason Bertha.