Throwback Thursday: Harlem World – “I Really Like It” (featuring Mase & Kelly Price)
In 1998, Mase assembled a group called Harlem World, which was also the same name of his debut album released the year prior. The group included his sister, Baby Stase, and five others: Loon, Meeno, Cardan, Huddy and Blinky Blink.
Given that Mase was signed to Baby Boy Records at the time, it’s easy to assume that Harlem World was too. But in actuality, they were signed to Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings. Perhaps Puffy passed on the group? Who knows.
In the first quarter of 1999, Harlem World released the first single from what would be the group’s first and last album, The Movement. The song, “I Really Like It,” features Mase and Kelly Price, and samples two ’80s classics: New Edition’s “Popcorn Love” and DeBarge’s “I Like It.”
(Fun fact: A then-unknown Kanye West produced three tracks on The Movement.)
“I Really Like It” wasn’t a major hit, but I will say this, it was in heavy rotation in my house at the time, and till this day, lifts my spirit instantly. The video, which included cameos from the Mowry twins and Paula Jai Parker, is also a favorite.
At the time, I remember thinking Harlem World was the next big thing (because I was a stan off this one song), but before the year was over, the group would disband. With the exception of Loon, none of the group’s members would be heard from again.
This song has been on the docket since the inception of this website, but for whatever reason, it hadn’t been posted already. With today being Mase’s 45th birthday, I simply couldn’t miss the opportunity. Click play.
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