Vincent Mason
Vincent Mason | |
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![]() Mason at Gods of Rap 2019 in Germany | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Vincent Lamont Mason Jr. |
Also known as | Maseo, P.A. Pasemaster Mase, Plug Three |
Born | (1970-03-24) March 24, 1970 (age 54) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
Origin | Long Island, New York, U.S. |
Genres | East Coast hip hop |
Occupation(s) | DJ, music producer, rapper |
Years active | 1988–present[1] |
Labels | Tommy Boy Records, A.O.I/ Sanctuary, A.O.I./Kobalt |
Member of | De La Soul |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/De_La_Soul_-_Gods_of_Rap_Tour_2019_-_Berlin_%2844_von_49%29.jpg/220px-De_La_Soul_-_Gods_of_Rap_Tour_2019_-_Berlin_%2844_von_49%29.jpg)
Vincent Lamont Mason Jr. (born March 24, 1970)[2] is an American rapper, producer and DJ who is one third of the hip hop group De La Soul.[2] He is also known as Maseo, P.A. Pasemaster Mase and Plug Three.[3]
Early life
Mason graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1988.
Career
Kelvin Mercer ("Posdnuos", "Plug One", "Plug Wonder Why", "Mercenary") and David Jude Jolicoeur ("Trugoy the Dove", "Plug Two", "Dave") were already friends when Mason joined the pair to form De La Soul in 1987.[3] The trio came to the attention of Prince Paul, then a member of Stetsasonic, with a demo recording of "Plug Tunin'".[3] Paul facilitated a record deal for Mason and his colleagues with the Tommy Boy label and produced their first album, 3 Feet High and Rising.[2]
Mason's role in De La Soul is primarily that of a DJ, with Mason stating that he is "a b-boy to my heart", drawing inspiration from life experience and contemporary global events.[4] However, Mason has also featured as a vocalist on songs such as "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (from De La Soul Is Dead)[5] and for De La Soul's guest appearance on the Jungle Brothers recording, "Doin' Our Own Dang".[6] Mason also recorded the introductory laugh for De La Soul's collaboration with Gorillaz, "Feel Good Inc.".[7]
Mase is a member of the Spitkicker collective, a group of artistically-minded people who release work by Spitkicker artists and engage in social, community-based activism.[8]
Personal life
Mason is a native of Brooklyn, New York but grew up in Long Island where he met the other members of De La Soul. Son of Dorothy Robinson and Vincent Mason. He is the oldest of two siblings. His younger brother is Anthony Mason. Father of four children: Marcus, Tre, Chauncey and Dayo Mason. His son, Tre Mason, was a running back for the Los Angeles Rams.[9]
Aliases
All three members of De La Soul have a variety of known aliases and nicknames used throughout the group's career. The following are the most significant:
- P.A. Pasemaster Mase – The first alias used by Mason, "Pasemaster" (or "P.A.") was used as an alternative to "DJ". Though "Mase" is simply a nickname for Mason, Mason noted in an early interview that the name can be an acronym for "Making A Soul Effort". Later, with the release of De La Soul is Dead, the nickname "Maseo" became widely used.
- Plug Three – An early concept for 3 Feet High and Rising involved music being transmitted from Mars by three microphone plugs (each one representing a member of the group). Though this idea was abandoned, the titles "Plug One", "Plug Two" and "Plug Three" still became relevant on the album.
References
- ^ Greg Tate (November 23, 2019). "De La Soul". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: De La Soul". Allmusic. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
- ^ a b c shopdelasoul.com (2008). "Biography of De La Soul". shopdelasoul.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ Ashley Hyshka (September 21, 2011). "De La Soul member DJ Maseo hits up Saskatoon". The Sheaf. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) Lyrics". Lyrics Depot. LyricsDepot.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ "Jungle Brothers – Doin' Our Own Dang Lyrics". LYRICS007 – We Do Better Than James Bond. LYRICS007.COM, Inc. 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ Stephen Carlick (October 15, 2010). "Gorillaz Air Canada Centre, Toronto ON October 14". exclaim.ca. Exclaim!. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ "Spitkicker.com". myspace. Myspace LLC. June 29, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ Staff (February 14, 2011). "De La Soul's DJ Maseo keeps it old school, just wants to be Tre Mason's dad". The War Eagle Reader. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- v
- t
- e
- 3 Feet High and Rising
- De La Soul Is Dead
- Buhloone Mindstate
- Stakes Is High
- Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump
- AOI: Bionix
- The Grind Date
- Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present... First Serve
- and the Anonymous Nobody...
- Clear Lake Audiotorium
- The Best of De La Soul
- De La Mix Tape: Remixes, Rarities and Classics
- Live at Tramps, NYC, 1996
- The Impossible: Mission TV Series - Pt. 1
- Are You In?: Nike+ Original Run
- "Plug Tunin'"
- "Potholes in My Lawn"
- "Me Myself and I"
- "Say No Go"
- "Eye Know"
- "Buddy"
- "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)"
- "A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays""
- "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa/Keepin' the Faith"
- "Breakadawn"
- "Ego Trippin' (Part Two)"
- "Fallin'"
- "Stakes Is High"
- "Itzsoweezee (Hot)"
- "4 More"
- "Oooh."
- "All Good?"
- "Baby Phat"
- "Say "I Gotta Believe!""
- "Shoomp/Much More"
- "Shopping Bags (She Got from You)"
- "Rock Co.Kane Flow"
- "Feel Good Inc."
- "Superfast Jellyfish"
- "Pain"
- Discography
- Native Tongues
- Prince Paul
- Tommy Boy Records