Mase: Welcome Back : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Even with assistance from on high, Mase circa 2004 isn't all that different from Mase circa 1997. Welcome Back is a vintage Bad Boy album, stealing hooks from Madonna and Eighties hits, sporting rhymes about clothes and cars and the women who love them. The title track trudges along to Kotter's theme song while Mase gloats about "living the vida without the loca." Mase was always more talented than his sleepy drawl indicated, but five years at the pulpit have dimmed his flow. Despite his good intentions, he sounds out of touch when he wags his finger at a young woman to respect herself ("Like a car, you can't let everybody test-drive"). Ask Kanye West: The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.