Mason Xross Is Calgary’s Hip Hop Energy You Can’t Ignore

Name: Maurice Mason

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Business/Talent Name: Mason Xross

Category: Hip Hop/Dancehall Artist

Stay Connected to Mason Xross:

https://linktr.ee/masonxross

Meet Mason Xross — a Calgary-based hip hop and dancehall artist whose sound blends infectious rhythms with raw lyricism. Drawing from his roots and life experiences, Mason Xross creates music that moves crowds while telling real stories. With a growing presence in the Canadian music scene, he’s carving out a lane that’s entirely his own.  

THE PASSION

Music has always been part of my life. My father was a boxer, then he was in a band, and he was one of the first promoters to bring rappers to our city. He also trained boxers who would dabble in rap on the side — so it only felt natural for me to follow in his footsteps.

It really started when I heard one of the boxers my dad worked with freestyle during an interview. For some reason, I never looked back after that moment. I wrote my first rhyme on my mother’s birthday in 1994. Later, I met one of the godfathers of Calgary hip hop, Chain Reaction. He showed me how to structure a song and write a proper 16.

Ever since then, it’s been music.

WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH?

I’ve got a good wife and a strong team around me that constantly push me to be greater. I also draw strength from where I came from. Being a recovered addict and being able to stand on my own two feet is something I take a lot of pride in. I literally — physically and mentally — came out of the street and the gutter to stand where I am now. And I’ve got a lot of people I love depending on me.

COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

Being a Canadian creative is very important to me. We’ve been held back and kept down simply because of geography. There’s so much talent here, and it’s finally starting to break through — honestly, it should have happened a long time ago. We just have to keep pushing, and those doors will get kicked off no matter what. Canada also has a strong and vibrant Caribbean community, and I’m proud to represent that to the fullest at every show, no matter the audience.

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT OR STANDOUT MOMENT -

If I’m being honest, I look at every single show as an achievement or milestone. I do this for the people and for their enjoyment. But one standout moment for me was when I returned to the stage after 10 years away to be the main opener for Eternal of Wu-Tang Killer Beez. After my set, he told me,

“I’m never gettin’ onstage after you again.”

WHAT'S ONE COLLABORATION OR PROJECT YOU'D LOVE TO DO WITH ANOTHER CANADIAN CREATIVE - AND WHY?

I would love to work with Rochester out of Toronto. I feel our styles would definitely align to create a banger. Also Roy Woods out of Brampton is another one I know I could make some fire with. Also, I think myself & Tate McRae from my own hometown could make a unique masterpiece.   

That moment definitely threw more gas on the fire.

Stay Connected - Mason Xross’s journey is one of grit, passion, and resilience. With every song and performance, he’s showing the world why Calgary’s hip hop and dancehall scene deserves its moment in the spotlight. His next chapter? A huge step forward: opening for Dizzy Wright on September 7, 2025, at the Neighborhood Pub.

 “September 7th will be another epic night! I’ll be hittin’ the stage to open for @dizzyhippy — make sure you grab tickets this one’s already cookin’!”

If you’ve followed his story this far, now’s the perfect time to show your support — stream his music, share his work, and cheer him on as he keeps raising the bar for Canadian hip hop.

Join Mason Xross on His Rise: linktr.ee/masonxross