Feel So Good

"Feel So Good" is a hip hop song by American rapper Mase, featuring uncredited background vocals by R&B singer Kelly Price, released on October 14, 1997, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Harlem World.^[1] The track was produced primarily by Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, with co-production from Sean "Puffy" Combs, and prominently samples the 1974 funk hit "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool & the Gang.^[2] Upon release through Bad Boy Records and Arista Records, "Feel So Good" achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and spending at least 20 weeks on the listing.^[3] The single was certified gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units sold, and later reached platinum status for one million copies.^[4] It also topped the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking Mase's first number-one hit as a lead artist.^[3] The song's music video, directed by Hype Williams, features Mase alongside Combs and comedian Chris Tucker cruising through Las Vegas in luxury cars, embodying the opulent "shiny suit" aesthetic of late-1990s Bad Boy Records.^[5] As Mase's debut solo single following his success on Puff Daddy's "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down," "Feel So Good" helped propel Harlem World to number-one debut on the Billboard 200 and quadruple platinum sales, solidifying Mase's status as a key figure in hip hop during the era.^[4] The track's catchy chorus and upbeat production contributed to its enduring popularity, with the song later appearing on compilations like Bad Boy's 10th Anniversary... The Hits.

Background and release

Conception and recording

Mase was signed to Bad Boy Records in 1996 by founder Sean "Puffy" Combs, who had discovered the Harlem rapper's talent and brought him into the label's roster as a promising new artist.^[6] "Feel So Good" was initially conceived as the lead single for Mase's debut album Harlem World, aiming to introduce his smooth, charismatic style to a wider audience within the Bad Boy sound.^[7] Recording sessions for the track occurred during 1996 at several New York City studios, including The Hit Factory, as part of the broader production for Harlem World.^[8] Key collaborators included gospel and R&B singer Kelly Price, whose powerful vocals were selected for the chorus to add an uplifting, soulful element; Combs also contributed backing vocals to enhance the track's energetic vibe.^[9]

Release and promotion

"Feel So Good" was released on October 14, 1997, by Arista Records and Bad Boy Records as the debut single from Mase's album Harlem World.^[10] The track also appeared on the soundtrack album for the film Money Talks, released the same year by Bad Boy Records.^[11] The single was made available in several commercial formats, including CD single, cassette single, and 12-inch vinyl.^[12] Promotional versions, such as advance CDs and vinyl pressings, were distributed to industry insiders and media outlets to build anticipation.^[13] Bad Boy Records heavily promoted the single as part of its strategy to position Mase as the label's new flagship artist following the death of The Notorious B.I.G., integrating it into broader marketing efforts with the roster.^[14] This included tie-ins with other Bad Boy releases, alongside targeted pushes for urban radio airplay and club rotations in late 1997 to capitalize on the label's dominant presence in hip-hop.^[15]

Composition

Musical structure

"Feel So Good" was produced by Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie and Sean "Puffy" Combs.^[1] The track prominently samples "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool & the Gang (1974), which supplies the core beat with its upbeat funk groove.^[2][16] Additionally, the chorus hook interpolates "Bad Boy" by Miami Sound Machine (1985), incorporating its melodic refrain to enhance the song's catchy, danceable quality.^[17][16] Running 3:24 in length, the song follows a straightforward structure: an intro with Combs' spoken ad-libs over a trumpet fanfare, followed by three verses rapped by Mase, repeating choruses featuring Kelly Price's lead vocals backed by Mase and Combs' ad-libs, and concluding with fading ad-libs.^[18][19] Set at approximately 105 beats per minute in the key of B minor, it fuses smooth R&B vocal elements with the rhythmic drive characteristic of East Coast hip-hop production.^[19][20]

Lyrics and themes

"Feel So Good" was written by Mason Betha (Mase), Sean Combs, Deric Angelettie, and additional contributors including Larry Dermer, Joe Galdo, and Rafael Vigil due to the interpolation of Miami Sound Machine's "Bad Boy," as well as members of Kool & the Gang for the sample of "Hollywood Swinging."^[9][21][2] The song's verses, delivered by Mase, feature boastful lyrics emphasizing his newfound wealth and street credibility, with lines like "Head to toe fly as hell, check the mirror / Now I'm out the door, two Lexuses what I steer" highlighting his luxurious lifestyle and transition from humble beginnings.^[18] Mase references his Harlem origins and entrepreneurial success, rapping about rising from poverty—"Yo, I came from the bottom, now I'm on top"—while name-dropping high-end brands and vehicles to underscore his rags-to-riches narrative.^[18] The chorus, sung by Kelly Price, reinforces a sense of euphoria and triumph, repeating "I feel so good, so good" amid references to romantic encounters and professional victories, such as "Just like I knew I would / Now I got the hood screamin' my name."^[18] This hook celebrates personal and communal success, blending sensuality with achievement in a smooth, uplifting melody. Central themes include the rags-to-riches journey, emblematic of the Bad Boy Records ethos, where Mase embodies the label's flashy, aspirational image through mentions of jewelry, expensive cars, and Harlem pride.^[2] The lyrics evoke a celebratory bravado, typical of late-1990s hip-hop, with Mase asserting dominance in both the streets and the music industry, as in "Harlem world, all my girls jiggie in the spot."^[18] The sampling of upbeat disco elements contributes to the song's joyful, feel-good mood, amplifying the themes of exuberance and confidence.^[2]

Music video

The music video for "Feel So Good", directed by Hype Williams, was released in 1997.^[5] It features Mase performing alongside Sean Combs (Puff Daddy) and comedian Chris Tucker, with background vocals by Kelly Price.^[5] The video was filmed at the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas, where the artists cruise through the area in luxury cars, including a Mercedes-Benz, embodying the opulent "shiny suit" aesthetic characteristic of late-1990s Bad Boy Records productions.^[22]

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Feel So Good" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 29 during the week ending November 1, 1997.^[23] It steadily climbed the chart, reaching its peak position of number 5 for the week ending December 13, 1997, and spent a total of 20 weeks on the ranking.^[24][25] The track's strong radio airplay and the accompanying music video contributed to its sustained presence on the chart.^[26] On component charts, "Feel So Good" topped the Hot Rap Songs chart for six weeks and peaked at number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[26] It ranked number 44 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles chart for 1998. Internationally, the single peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart, where it charted for eight weeks after entering on December 27, 1997.^[27] In New Zealand, it reached number 9 and spent 19 weeks on the singles chart following its entry on November 30, 1997.^[28] The song also entered the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, peaking at number 33.

Certifications

"Feel So Good" achieved notable certifications across several markets, reflecting its commercial success following its chart performance. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single gold on November 12, 1997, for shipments of 500,000 units, and platinum on January 7, 1998, for 1,000,000 units. In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it a Gold certification on December 1, 1998, recognizing sales and streaming equivalent to 400,000 units. New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) certified the track Platinum on January 18, 1998, for 30,000 units sold. Estimated worldwide sales surpassed 1.5 million copies by the end of 1998, with no additional certifications awarded thereafter.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Feel So Good" received widespread praise for its polished production and Mase's engaging delivery, which exemplified the glossy Bad Boy sound of the era. AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the track as a "massive hit" driven by its "infectious, shiny groove," crediting it with broadening Mase's appeal beyond hip-hop audiences.^[29] These elements were seen as emblematic of the single's role in launching Mase's solo career following his contributions to Bad Boy hits like "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down." However, not all reviews were entirely glowing, with some critiquing the track's reliance on Bad Boy's formulaic, pop-oriented production. The Source awarded the parent album Harlem World a middling 2.5 out of 5 mics, implying an average effort that prioritized commercial shine over deeper artistic innovation, a sentiment that reportedly frustrated Mase and his label.^[30] This perspective echoed broader concerns about the song's polished, sample-heavy structure—built around a Kool & the Gang interpolation—lacking the raw edge of contemporaries like The Notorious B.I.G. The single's reception thus mirrored the album's mixed standing, celebrated for accessibility but occasionally dismissed as overly manufactured. In retrospective analyses during the 2010s, "Feel So Good" earned renewed appreciation for cementing Mase's laid-back, preacher-like persona in hip-hop, influencing the posh consumerism of later artists. Pitchfork's 2019 review of Harlem World lauded the track's luxurious vibe, likening its energy to "strolling the Las Vegas Strip at night" and defending Mase's silky flows against earlier claims of lyrical shallowness.^[31]

Cultural impact

"Feel So Good" marked Mase's breakthrough as a solo artist, establishing him as a prominent figure in East Coast rap during the late 1990s and influencing the genre's shift toward more melodic, celebratory flows associated with Bad Boy Records.^[32][33] The song has maintained a strong presence in popular media, appearing in the 2022 Disney+ series Ms. Marvel during a confident entrance scene in episode 2, where it underscores the protagonist Kamala Khan's school hallway strut.^[34] It also served as the United States men's national soccer team's official goal song at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, amplifying its upbeat energy during match celebrations.^[35] Additionally, McDonald's featured the track in its 2023 Grimace Birthday campaign, where a 30-second advertisement narrated by Brian Cox used the song to evoke nostalgic birthday party vibes centered on the mascot.^[36] The track received a satirical nod in the 1999 animated film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, where Terrance and Phillip's rap performance of "Uncle Fucka" parodies the music video's style, poking fun at the era's flashy rap culture.^[37] Embodying 1990s hip-hop nostalgia, "Feel So Good" has been sampled and referenced in subsequent tracks by Bad Boy affiliates, such as Jay-Z's 2013 collaboration "BBC," which incorporates elements of its hook to evoke the label's triumphant sound.^[2] This enduring legacy ties back to the song's original themes of success and swagger, reinforcing its role in hip-hop's celebratory traditions.^[18]

Formats and credits

Track listings

The single "Feel So Good" by Mase, featuring Kelly Price, was released in various physical formats in 1997, primarily through Bad Boy Entertainment and Arista Records.^[1] These configurations typically included the radio mix, album version, and instrumental, with some variations across regions and media types. Digital reissues in the 2000s and later often featured the core track alongside selections from the parent album Harlem World, such as "What You Want" featuring Total, in compilation-style releases.^[38]

US CD Single

The US CD single (catalog number 78612-79122-2) contained two tracks.^[39]

12-Inch Vinyl

The US promotional 12-inch vinyl (catalog number ADP-3405) featured the radio mix and instrumental on both sides, pressed at 33 ⅓ RPM for club and radio play.^[40] Side A

• A1: Feel So Good (Radio Mix) – 4:00
• A2: Feel So Good (Instrumental Version) – 4:01

Side B

• B1: Feel So Good (Radio Mix) – 4:00
• B2: Feel So Good (Instrumental Version) – 4:01

International Cassette Single

The European cassette single (catalog number 74321 52644 4) duplicated the radio mix and album version on both sides, with a clear shell and white print for portability.^[41] Side A

• A1: Feel So Good (Radio Mix)
• A2: Feel So Good (Album Version)

Side B

• B1: Feel So Good (Radio Mix)
• B2: Feel So Good (Album Version)

Digital Reissues

Post-2000 digital releases, such as those on platforms like Apple Music, bundled "Feel So Good" (3:24 edit) with other tracks including "Welcome Back" (4:22), "All I Ever Wanted" (4:02), "My Harlem Lullaby" (3:54), and "Keep It On" (3:33).^[38]

Personnel

Vocals

• Mase (Mason Betha) – lead vocals^[18]
• Kelly Price – chorus vocals (uncredited)^[12][18]
• Sean "Puffy" Combs – backing vocals and ad-libs^[10]

Production

• Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie – producer, associate executive producer^[12][18][42]
• Sean "Puffy" Combs – producer^[12][18]

Songwriting
The song was written by Mason Betha, Sean Combs, and Deric Angelettie. It interpolates "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool & the Gang, written by George Brown, Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, James "J.T." Taylor, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, and Claydes "The Peddler" Smith.^[18][21][2] Technical personnel

• Doug Wilson – recording engineer^[9]
• Michael Patterson – mixing engineer^[12][42]
• Herb Powers – mastering engineer^[42]

The track was recorded at Daddy's House Recording Studios in New York City.^[9]