What makes Harlem World by Mase notable?

Harlem World debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified quadruple platinum, solidifying Mase's impact on hip-hop during the late '90s. The album is credited with popularizing a more melodic style within East Coast rap and influencing subsequent artists in the genre. Released in late 1997, Harlem World marked Mase's debut album, introducing his smooth flow and charismatic presence to the hip-hop landscape. This album came shortly after he gained recognition as a member of Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label, setting the stage for his rise as a solo artist.

How many songs are on Harlem World?

Harlem World has 20 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Released 29 years ago this October

Harlem World

Mase · 1997

66 min · 20 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant showcase of East Coast hip-hop infused with catchy hooks and playful bravado.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Feel So Good — This track exemplifies Mase's signature blend of smooth delivery and infectious hooks, capturing the celebratory essence of the album while showcasing his lyrical ease.
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24 Hrs to Live — The song features poignant storytelling about life and mortality, highlighting Mase's ability to balance braggadocio with introspection, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Lookin’ at Me — With its catchy beat and memorable chorus, this track served as one of Mase's biggest hits, illustrating his knack for crafting commercially viable yet artistically engaging music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

Harlem World showcases Mase's smooth style and catchy hooks but lacks strong cohesion due to frequent interludes.

What we noticed

Mase's delivery is characterized by a smooth, laid-back flow that contrasts with the more aggressive beats typical of East Coast hip-hop.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Puff’s Intro 1:41
2 Do You Wanna Get $? 3:49
3 Take What’s Yours 3:45
4 Mad Rapper (interlude) 1:13
5 Will They Die 4 You? 4:04
6 Lookin’ at Me 4:15
7 White Girl (interlude) 0:52
8 Love U So 3:12
9 The Player Way 4:13
10 Hater (interlude) 1:00
11 Niggaz Wanna Act 4:09
12 Feel So Good 3:24
13 What You Want 4:02
14 Phone Conversation (interlude) 1:49
15 Cheat on You 3:15
16 24 Hrs to Live 4:16
17 I Need to Be 5:12
18 Watch Your Back (interlude) 0:56
19 Wanna Hurt Mase? 4:23
20 Jealous Guy 6:24

What to play next

Listen next

Double Up

1999

Go back to

What You Want

1997

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata