Source: fugeesonline.proboards.com

First things first: THIS IS NOT A WHERE ARE THEY NOW? if you were wondering. Check back at the end of the week.

Anywho, while most actors, singers and more have chosen to let folks in on every single aspect of their lives thanks to their affiliations with social media sites like Twitter, Tumblr pages, reality television shows, and their quest to make errands a chance for a paparazzi photo op, there are a slew of big name artists who would balk at all that exposure. Some of the biggest names in entertainment over the years dropped albums, TV shows, had huge roles in movies and more over the years, only to disappear off of the face of the earth when the press and the people were calling for them. Why? Well, after reading the most recent issue of GQ, which profiled the rise, fall and re-emergence of D’Angelo, folks like Questlove eloquently explained it as “a crazy psychological kind of stoppage that prevents them from following through. A sort of self-saboteur disorder.”

Or maybe they just weren’t feeling folks all up and through their business and wanted to live like normal folks. Whatever motivates these artists to dip in and out of public view only they know, but we’re always happy when they come back. Here are a few, aside from the obvious Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo, who decided to step out of the spotlight when they were huge, but decided to come back later (before disappearing for a bit again).

Source: Bossip.com

Last week I came across an article that said Mase may make an appearance on Rick Ross and French Montana’s upcoming albums and all I thought was, why does this man stay with one foot in the pulpit and the other in the hood? But now I know the answer: the IRS has their foot all up in his behind.

As of now, Mason Betha owes the IRS $124,774.85 in back taxes, going all the way back from 2000, 2001, and 2004, which was right around the time he put out that “Welcome Back” album after a five-year hiatus to pursue a “calling from God.” The album didn’t do so hot so that could be why he neglected to pay Uncle Sam. Considering it’s been about eight years since we’ve heard him in any mainstream format, paying off the IRS is the only explanation I can come up with for him appearing on Rozay and newcomer French Montana’s records, although he’s also rumored to have a $35,000 jewelry bill he neglected to pay around that same time too.

I’m going to assume Mase is completely done with his ministry now that he’s pending a third comeback but I wonder if he prayed on this. I know back in ’99 he and Diddy said 10 years from now they’d still be on top, but 13 years later, the game will probably not be feeling that Harlem World sound anymore.

When is someone going to teach these celebs you can’t avoid the IRS?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Rappers, singers and ball players seem to love video vixens, “models” and strippers. while the rest of the world is confused as to what the fascination with them is. My quick assessment: the women that have become famous are pretty. Men with money – especially these young, “new money” stars – like a pretty face and a nice body. I get it and I’m not even mad at it because some of them have found a lane and made even more money from it.

Let’s see who was saved from their sinking ship…

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Apparently the music industry can be taxing on the soul and some of it’s biggest stars had to make a change. Whether that meant leaving the game entirely or switching up their style they decided to devote their energy to a higher power. Check out some artists and musicians who came to Jesus, Allah, or Moses.