When the new millennium came around, Cam and Mase careers were going in different directions. Mase started a church in Atlanta and became a pastor. Here is a video of Pastor Mase during one of his services.
In 2001, Mase published a book called Revelations: There’s a Light After the Lime
Meanwhile, from the years 2000-2004, Cam’ron not only made his ascension to one of the top Hip Hop artist; he also build and establish his brand. In 2001, he signed to Roc-a-Fella records and Damon Dash became his manager. He introduced the Diplomats crew and help establish the careers of Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Hell Rell and Freekey Zekey. Within this four year span, Cam’ron dropped three solo albums and Diplomats album and all of them went no less than gold. In addition to the music, Cam also starred in the 2002 classic hood film Paid in Full.
It wasn’t until the year of 2004 that so called beef between Mase and Cam’ron started to surface publicly. After a five year hiatus from the rap game; Mase decided to return to music. He appeared on the remix of Fat Joe’s “Lean Back” song. In the summer of that year he dropped a single called “Welcome Back.”
While promoting his return to music and appearing on a radio interview with Miss Jones; Mase was confronted by Jim Jones and Cam’ron on air. Cam acknowledged that Mase introduced him to Biggie but claimed that Mase turned his back on him immediately after that. Both Mase and Cam agreed that Mase was trying to charge Cam to appear in the Horse and Carriage video. Mase said that he was trying to split the money with Cam’ron, and vehemently denied that claim. There was a lot of back and forth going on in this interview that included Cam saying that Mase owed him money for using his name in his book without his permission. You can listen to the full interview below
Also during that radio interview, Jim Jones and Cam’ron exposed Mase for the alleged ‘real reason’ he left Harlem, went to Atlanta and became a pastor. That reason was an alleged beef with a Harlem street hustler named Baby Maine. Mase denied that was the reason he left Harlem, but did acknowledge that there was a conflict with one of his friends Pop Lotti and Baby Maine. Here is a clip of Maine talking to his people in the streets of Harlem.
For the next couple years Mase and Cam’ron remain active on the music scene. Cam’ron continued to build his brand by dropping his fourth solo album Killa Season. He also released a his first independent film which was also called Killa Season in 2006.
Mase continued with his return path back into music. He publicly, but unsuccessfully try to get release from Bad Boy records and sign with 50 Cent and G-Unit. He appeared on magazine covers, interviews and videos with Fiddy.
Although Mase didn’t sign with G-Unit, he did put out an unofficial mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid. The name of the mixtape was Mase – Crucified 4 The Hood: 10 Years Of Hate and was released in 2006.