Magic Johnson Music, Mase's management firm, delivered a statement that the Bad Boy superstar is retiring| from the microphone, "effective immediately." This places him among the ranks of other recently retired MCs: Too $hort, Puff Daddy, Jay-Z, Master P, and LL Cool J.

Apparently, Mase has made a new commitment to God which only allows him to make spoken-word engagements for the promotion of his new album, Double Up, which should hit malls across America in June. But, while the man who just rechristened himself "Murder Mase" says he will no longer be making music or doing any concert performances, he plans to continue working with charity events for inner-city youth.

According to MTV News, Magic Johnson said, "Watch out for Double Up, because we're gonna rock the world. Then he's gonna go ontour, and then you'll see what we're talkin' about. It's a newMase now: smilin', happy." - Werner