Known for ‘90s hits “Feel So Good” and “What You Want,” former Bad Boy Records rap artist Mase condemned black men who join street gangs in an Instagram post Wednesday. Calling it an “unpopular” opinion, the 43-year-old church pastor brought up jail, death and other repercussions that gang life can bring.
On the third day of what Mase calls “#22days of speaking my mind,” the rapper wrote on social media, “I know what I’m about to say is unpopular but it still needs to be said. The weakest thing a black man can do today is join a street gang. The person who you’re riding for today ends up getting a bag to kill you or sending you to jail.”
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“Think about it,” the former Bad Boy artist continued. “What type of person would ask you to hurt your own people and take an oath to be there for your gang only to end up not being there for your children and family? I never understood that.”
Speaking directly to those considering joining a street gang, Mase stated, “If you’re thinking about becoming one don’t! I respect a man that can stand on his own.”
Mase dropped his debut album in 1997 to high acclaim but left the music scene at the height of his career in 1999. The Grammy-nominated artist became a pastor at El Eyon International Church, located in Atlanta, Georgia.
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In January, he became the new pastor of Gathering Oasis Church, a non-denominational church. The rapper has occasionally returned to his hip-hop roots over the years, dropping ”Welcome Back” in 2004 and “Nothing” in 2014.
Many fans appeared to agree with Mase’s thoughts on gang life, with dozens writing “facts,” under the rapper’s post. Let us know if you agree with his comments on Black men joining street gangs in the comments below.
