Mobb Deep

3/5

Biography

Prodigy have been rapping together ever since they met as teenagers while attending the Graphic Arts High School in Manhatten. In the early 1990s, they adopted the stage name Mobb Deep and released their debut album, "Juvenile Hell". The album was unsuccessful due to a lack of promotion. However, their 1995 follow-up, "The Infamous", was an enormous success due to their hit singles "Shook Ones, Part II" and "Survival of the Fittest". To this day, it is considered an East Coast rap classic, alongside albums such as Nas' "Illmatic" and the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die". All of their subsequent albums have sold well, but 1999's "Murda Muzik" was particularly successful, earning them their first Platinum album. In 2000, Prodigy also released a successful solo album, "H.N.I.C.". As natives of Queensbridge, NY, Havoc and Prodigy rap about their experiences growing up in the projects. Their lyricism has an aura of truth that has been severely lacking in conventional gangsta rap. Their beats, produced mostly by Havoc, are characterized by heavy brushes on snare drum and haunting instrumental riffs. The result is a distinctly atmospheric, gritty sound that has become known to hip-hop heads as "Mobb Phonics". Far from glorifying gang violence, Mobb Deep can be considered the pioneers of "reality rap", a style of hip-hop that presents an accurate, observational picture of the inner-city. Their credibility, blunt honesty, and grimy sound has earned them respect in the rap game for over a decade, and they continue to maintain a loyal fanbase, in the streets and elsewhere.

  • Primary profession
  • Soundtrack·actor·composer
  • Gender
  • Male

Music

Lyrics

Movies

Trivia

In 2000, they filmed a movie titled after their fourth album, "Murda Muzik", about gang life in Queensbridge. However, it has not yet been released (and probably never will be released) due to a lack of funding and promotion after their original label, Loud Records, shut down.

Prodigy suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia. In 2002, Mobb Deep had to cancel an overseas tour because he was hospitalized after a bout with the disease. On the song "You Can Never Feel My Pain" from his solo album "H.N.I.C.", Prodigy raps about his experiences with Sickle Cell, both in his childhood and adult life.

Prodigy finishes writing his memoirs in prison while Havoc prepares beats for his release. The two amicably leave G-Unit records for an independent deal.

Signed to 50 Cent s record label, G-Unit

(November 2011) NYC: Released a comeback EP Black Cocaine, their first release since Prodigys jail time. The work features a reunion track with Nas, a once long-time collaborator.

(May 2006) Released their new album Blood Money on May 2nd, 2006. They are scheduled to perform at New York hip-hop/R&B radio station Hot 97s Summer Jam 2006 concert in June.

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