Former Bad Boy rapper turned minister Mase spoke out against the BET Awards this week. On Instagram, the 90s emcee posted a graphic as part of his 21-day initiative to offer his opinions that said that the awards ceremony is not for the betterment of Black people anymore.
“I said what I said #Day16 of #21Days of speaking my mind #GOD #MASE Headsup @rsvpmase is going to be a problem!”
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This is not the first time the now-sanctified rapper has expressed his consternation about rap culture in general.
In May, Mase commented on the gang and violence underbelly presented in the hip-hop industry.
“I know what I’m about to say is unpopular, but it still needs to be said,” Mase said. “The weakest thing a black man can do today is joining a street gang.”
Mase’s opinion is not surprising. After a successful rap career as one of Bad Boy’s rappers, the artist decided to leave the industry to become a man of the cloth. Of course, with P. Diddy as his boss, that would be easier said than done.
“Your past business practices knowingly has continued purposely starved your artist and been extremely unfair to the very same artist that helped u obtain that Icon Award on the iconic Badboy label,” Mase said about P.Diddy being awarded the Industry Icon Award last year.
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The BET Awards is a yearly event that draws Black music industry stars and fans alike. However, it has had its rocky moments. For example, in 2019, rappers Rick Ross and Young Jeezy were involved in a fight backstage at the ceremony.
BET was once a beacon for Black audiences, but as times and trends have changed and the network came under (white) ownership, featuring Black people in a more diverse and less myopic way has been limited. However, many Black people work for their own betterment outside the scope of hip-hop.
Mase is entitled to his opinion, although his thesis seems a little skewed.
