AZ got a deal first and is slightly older(I think) but they were both coming up around the same time. IMO, Jay-Z was sounding like both of them, in 96.

There’s not a ton of early Mase out there and some of it is poor quality, but there’s enough to know that he had those multis and crazy flow and was right there with almost anybody back then. And NY rappers of his era or right after like Jada, Fab, etc. always give him respect. Biggie did too, and we know that wasn’t political because he shit on Craig Mack when they were both on Bad Boy. Underwhelming career for the skill level, no question. But he could spit.