Rap legends Cam’ron and Ma$e have been making waves in the sports media world with their popular talk show It Is What It Is, where they discuss the latest news and opinions on basketball, football, boxing, and more. But before they became co-hosts, they had to overcome a long-standing feud that dated back to their childhood days.
In a candid interview with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on their All the Smoke podcast, Cam’ron opened up about his rocky relationship with Ma$e, whom he met when they were both in elementary school in Harlem. He admitted that he was the one who started their beef, which stemmed from jealousy and resentment.
“I was mad at him because he left me,” Cam’ron said, referring to Ma$e’s decision to pursue a solo career after they formed a group called Children of the Corn with Big L, Bloodshed, and McGruff. “He was my man, we did everything together. We played ball, we hustled, we rapped. And then he just left. He didn’t even tell me.”
Cam’ron said he felt betrayed and abandoned by Ma$e, who went on to sign with Bad Boy Records and become a platinum-selling artist. He said he tried to sabotage Ma$e’s career by spreading rumors and dissing him on songs. He also claimed that Ma$e owed him money and never paid him back.
Ma$e, who was also on the podcast, confirmed Cam’ron’s story and said he understood why he was angry. He said he left Harlem because he wanted to escape the violence and the drugs that were plaguing the neighborhood. He said he didn’t tell Cam’ron because he knew he would try to stop him.
“I love Cam, but he’s stubborn,” Ma$e said. “He’s loyal to a fault. He would rather die in Harlem than leave. But I had a different vision. I wanted to make music, I wanted to travel, I wanted to see the world. I didn’t want to end up like Big L or Bloodshed.”
Ma$e said he tried to reach out to Cam’ron over the years, but he was always met with hostility and rejection. He said he regretted how their friendship turned sour and wished they could have worked things out sooner.
The turning point came in 2023, when Cam’ron and Ma$e were both invited to be guests on It Is What It Is, a new sports talk show on ESPN. The show’s producers thought it would be a good idea to have them on the same episode, hoping to create some drama and ratings. But instead of clashing, Cam’ron and Ma$e surprised everyone by burying the hatchet and reconnecting.
“It was a blessing in disguise,” Cam’ron said. “We got to talk, we got to laugh, we got to reminisce. We realized how much we missed each other and how much we had in common. We both love sports, we both love hip-hop, we both love Harlem. We decided to let bygones be bygones and start fresh.”
Ma$e agreed and said he was happy to have Cam’ron back in his life. He said he apologized for leaving him and paid him back the money he owed him. He also praised Cam’ron for his success as a rapper and an entrepreneur, saying he was proud of him.
The chemistry between Cam’ron and Ma$e was so evident that the show’s producers offered them a permanent spot as co-hosts. They accepted and have been hosting It Is What It Is ever since. The show has become one of the most watched and talked about programs on ESPN, attracting millions of viewers and fans.
Cam’ron and Ma$e said they are grateful for the opportunity and enjoy working together. They said they have learned a lot from each other and have grown as people and as professionals. They also said they have no plans to stop making music and hinted at a possible collaboration in the future.
“We’re in a good place right now,” Cam’ron said. “We’re brothers, we’re partners, we’re friends. We’re having fun and we’re making history. It is what it is.”
