Revelation puts ex-rap star on God's path

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

•	'Faith Always Works' Youth and young-adult crusade with Pastor Mason Betha 7:30 p.m. today Waikiki Shell Free (877) 477-7263

He was about to turn in his second album in 1999 when he stunned friends, colleagues and his label by saying he was turning his life over to God.

Here are five questions with Betha, in town for a youth crusade:

Q. You say there wasn't a single moment that caused you to turn your life around, but what led to it?

A. I realized I had a higher purpose in life. I had a vision in which I was walking millions of people to hell. That was an eye-opener to me, because I never saw myself being that type of person. I'd go from city to city, the crowd would get bigger. I'd affect somebody to the worse. ... God showed me he wanted to use me for something quite the contrary. ... It's like a woman, in love with a guy who uses her. She woke up one morning and don't want to be with the guy. It's not as if he did anything. One morning you wake up (and say), "I'm worth much more than this."

Q. The change shocked people. Did any of your friends say, "Good decision"?

A. People I thought would be against it, well, didn't rally behind it, but supported it. That week I was supposed to finish an album, get some more millions. God said, "Just leave it." God said, "If you take it, you'll never be able to make your way back." It was my time. Puffy actually helped me out, made this thing smoother. He could have made it rougher. We're not actually enemies. ... I'm hoping he'll find his way, which I know he will.

They don't understand (if you make this choice) when you're at the height of everything. Usually you leave when you're broke or things don't go right.

Q. Some say you took the MC Hammer route. Did you?

A. His case was actually different. Some things went wrong in his career, and then he went to God. It's different, having everything and going to God. Many could see that as if you had to do that. In my case, I didn't have to do that, but I wanted to do that.

Q. In which religion were you reared?

A. I'm not into religion. I've got a relationship with God. That would make me Christian. Religion separates people. Relationships brings people closer. ... Each (person) has a right to say, that's not for me. The day before the father, they can't say, "Mason didn't tell them." I tell them in a refreshing, hip way. For long, children have been against religion, because it's been so boring. That's why he snatched my life, to get people to pay some some attention.

Q. Is there someone you'd like to see follow your path?

A. (Pause.) Maybe DMX ... if this guy actually changed, you'd say, "There's a God."