1992–1994: Early Career
Prodigy and Havoc met one another while attending the prestigious High School of Art & Design in Manhattan. Coming from similar backgrounds, the duo broke into the rap game in 1992. Growing up in hostile environments that included the prevalence of poverty, drugs, and gang violence, Mobb Deep attempted to express their life experiences through rapping circa 1992. Before Havoc and P were known as Mobb Deep they were a couple of teenaged rappers known as Poetical Profits. The world first heard of them via the Source's Unsigned Hype column and this is the demo track that was quoted in that feature. The song would later see the light of day on their debut LP Juvenile Hell.
"Flavor 4 The Non Believers" (demo version) They released their first album, Juvenille Hell, in 1993. At a time when East Coast hip hop was dominated by the jazziness of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, and the Afro-centric stylings of Brand Nubian and Public Enemy, their style of music eschewed the popular conscious hip hop of the time, and reflected the harsh climate of New York City in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Because both Prodigy and Havoc were still in their teens at the time of their debut, many were surprised by the violent nature of the album. Although the album was not well-received by the public, it displayed the raw talent of the duo; the unique chemistry of Prodigy's lyrical delivery combined with Havoc's melancholy beats. Through this unique style, the duo were signed by Loud Records, and began recording their sophomore album, The Infamous, in 1995, which would establish the duo in the Hardcore hip hop community.
1995–2000: Rise to Success
Following its release, The Infamous became perhaps one of the most influential hip hop albums of the East Coast hardcore rap genre. Still at a young age, the duo powered themselves to the top of the hardcore rap scene through their straight forward narration of street life. As with their first lyrical production, Mobb Deep portrayed the struggles of living in New York City's Queensbridge. Their production also was noticed as the beats were often hard hitting and direct, a testament to Havoc, who produced the duos' tracks almost exclusively throughout their careers. Furthermore, the hit single Shook Ones Pt. II, received acclaim as one of the greatest rap songs ever. Their third album, Hell On Earth was released in 1996, debuting at number six on the Billboard album chart. The album continued their portrayal of harsh street life, while further pushing them to the forefront of the hardcore rap scene, along with contemporary East Coast rappers such as Notorious B.I.G., The Wu-Tang Clan collective, Jay-Z, and fellow Queensbridge associate, Nas.
In 1999, the duo released the highly anticipated Murda Musik album. Despite extensive bootlegging (nearly thirty songs of unreleased material leaked onto the internet) and countless delays, the album debuted at number three on Billboard and quickly went platinum —further highlighted by the popular single, Quiet Storm. Shortly afterwards, Prodigy released his long awaited solo album H.N.I.C (2000), in which the rapper collaborated with other artists and producers (including The Alchemist).
2001–2004: Decline
Some time after the release of Murda Muzik, rapper Jay-Z, spoke out against the duo, leading to an increase in publicity. At the Hot 97 Summer Jam show of 2001, Jay-Z performed the freestyle, "Takeover", which he later re-recorded for the The Blueprint LP, dissing Prodigy. He also revealed photographs allegedly of Prodigy wearing a dance leotard in 1988. Mobb Deep subsequently released Infamy in 2001. The album marked a major stylistic change that saw the duo move away from the raw, minimalist, stripped-down beats of their hardcore roots, towards more commercial fare with such songs as Hey Luv. This transition fostered accusations of "selling out" — upsetting many long-time fans who did not wish to see them veer away from their original style. Although this stylistic adjustment opened up Mobb's audience to a wider variety, many critics and fans credit Prodigy's feud with Jay-Z with damaging Mobb Deep's gangster image and record sales (most evident when comparing the platinum-selling Murda Muzik to Infamy barely reaching the gold status). Not to be fazed, Prodigy noted that his lifelong bout with sickle cell anemia and his beef with Jay-Z had changed his outlook.
In 2003, the group split with Loud Records and released The Murda Mixtape which proclaimed "Free Agents" on the cover, addressing the group's split with Loud and search for a new label. Jive Records signed the duo later in the year and subsequently released Amerikaz Nightmare in 2004, which was seen by the general rap audience as a weaker release by the two - resulting in poor sales and the subsequent dropping of the duo from Jive.
2005–2017
In the spring of 2005, it was announced that the duo signed with G-Unit Records. This came as a surprise to many, as 50 Cent aimed a sly diss at them on the "Piggy Bank" track. The duo made it known that this was not the case as Havoc stated in an interview, "Mobb Deep isn't gonna change and when we first got here 50 was like, 'Listen, I want y'all to keep doing what you been doing.' That's it." 50 Cent has a connection to the duo, as he grew up in nearby Jamaica, Queens and also has used Havoc as a producer for several different beats. The relationship became deeper than business as the Mobb and 50 Cent got tattoos to pledge their loyalty to each other. Prodigy has the words "G-Unit" tattooed on his right hand and 50 has "Mobb Deep" tattooed on his wrist. Upon signing to G-Unit, both Prodigy and Havoc were given new Porsches, for two artists who have received very little monetary compensation in the past.
They recorded their album, titled Blood Money which was released on May 2, 2006. The album featured G-Unit members 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck. This marks their seventh release and has vaulted the duo into the hip-hop spotlight. As one of the most recognized names in hip-hop at the time, it was expected for G-Unit to help Mobb Deep attract a new fanbase. As Havoc stated shortly after the deal, “As an artist, you want to be able to reach the furthest audience as you can. We put in hard work on our previous albums and still hit our core fan base. The difference this time around is that more people will hear this product this time.” Despite this, many of the Mobb's longtime fans were skeptical as G-Unit is known for their mainstream crossover music, and feared that Mobb Deep will conform to this style. The album was released to mixed reception mainly from fans, regarding it as one of the duo's weakest albums.
In 2007, Prodigy was sentenced to serve three-and-a-half years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm. Originally facing a mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison, Prodigy struck a deal with the prosecution, and pleaded guilty in exchange for the shorter prison sentence. He would later be released from prison in March 2011, with Mobb Deep releasing their first official project in five years, Black Cocaine, eight months later. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1995 album The Infamous, the duo released their final album The Infamous Mobb Deep in 2014, featuring a second disc of unreleased songs and remixes from the 1994-95 sessions of The Infamous. They would also put out their overall final project, an EP called Survival of the Fittest in 2015, which featured an all new ESPN remix of the classic 1995 single as well as a few brand new songs.
On June 20, 2017, Prodigy died at the Spring Valley Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to complications related to his sickle-cell anemia.
Technique
Early on, Mobb Deep gained their critical acclaim for a dark, dynamic, grimey sound with haunting melodies--Havoc's production--that to many represented "street" in a way not done by many or any before. Additionally, Prodigy's penchant for starting off a verse with an attention-grabbing line, writing compelling rhymes based heavily on Queensbridge slang, and a rambling but clear delivery appealed to fans on the lyrical aspect.
For some time, Prodigy was the star MC of the duo, Havoc sounding less focused on the lyrical aspect and more on production. This continued until The Alchemist was brought in to do a few beats for each album, after which Havoc seemed to begin concentrating more on his verbal prowess, slowly developing his own style. After the beef with Jay-Z, Prodigy changed his style, rhyming words less and slowing down his delivery, while Havoc increasingly contributed more to the rhyme end of the duo. After being on independant labels, such as LOUD, and then a larger label JIVE, styles from the grimy, gritty styles from the QB duo changed greatly, much to the despair of the mainstream fans, never fully recovering from the Jay-Z beef, they were forced into the limelight, and after releasing the street wood effort of Infamy, never reclaiming the status of the best kept secret. Signing with G-Unit seems to have worsened their career and Blood Money, their first album released on G-Unit, only sold approximately 110,000 in its first week, coming in at #3 on the Billboard 200.
[The Infamous Prelude]
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah. Hold the fuck up. We gon' take this little intermission, listen to what the fuck I got to say ya know? I been doin this shit for years; holdin' heat, sellin, using, abusing all types of drugs. Robbin' niggas, runnin up in niggas' cribs, ya know? The whole shit. So don't ever in yo life get me confused with some of them other niggas that you might see on TV, or hear on the radio and such, ya know what I'm sayin? I mean this is me, P. I'm speakin from my fuckin self. When you see me at a show, on stage or on the street, I definetely got the gat on me, know what I'm sayin? Knowaimean? [sniffs] And it aint like I'm tryin to be a tough guy, or I'm tryin to make people think I'm crazy by sayin all this shit. What it is that, I know how niggas gets down, aight? I used to be in the clubs, the music tunnel or whatever-the-fuck. They used to get they little drink on, havin fun wit their little crew, knowatimsayin? Start cuttin or shootin or whateva. Things like that. Lotta these so called rap niggas aint never seen no parts of that shit, knowatimsayin? Dig where I'm comin from? Word up, yo. And I know a lot of ya'll niggas, matter fact all ya'll niggas right now listenin to this shit like "Yeah, yeah we gon' see them Mobb Deep niggas. We gon' see what they about. Knowatimsayin? Touch where they head is at." Yo, I'll let ya'll niggas know right now yaknowwatimsayin you aint gotta waste yo time or yo money on ya hospital bills. If you step to me on a personal level, I don't back down easy knowatmsayin there's a good chance ya ass is either gon' get shot, stabbed, or knuckled down, one out of the three. So don't gamble wit ya life, du'. Word up. And believe me, I know very well I can get shot, stabbed, or fucked up too, whatever. I aint super-nigga I'm a lil skinny mothafucker. It's all about who gets who first though, knowaimsayin? So therefore, say no more, to all my niggas get the money, frontin' niggas get deceased.
And oh yeah.. to all them rap ass niggas wit ya half assed rhymes talkin bout how much you get high, how much weed you smoke and that crazy space shit that don't even make no sense: don't ever speak to me when you see me, knowaimsaying? Word. Imma have to get on some ol' high school shit, start punchin niggas in they face just for livin. Yo, I'm finnished what I had to say, ya'll can continue on.
In "The Infamous Prelude," Prodigy, one half of Mobb Deep, takes a break from rapping to log his credentials as a rapper, drug user, and gangster. Prodigy speaks directly to his listeners about his experiences and warns them not to "mistake" him for any other rapper out there. He emphasizes that he's not trying to come off as tough, but that he knows what can happen in the streets, and he's not one to back down quickly. Prodigy mentions that he carries a gun and doesn't sugarcoat the potential outcomes — he could get hurt or killed, just like anyone else. He warns others who might attempt to confront him that they might be in for a rude awakening since he's a skinny guy who's ready to defend himself.
This song preaches about gang violence and the reality of the brutal streets that can leave rappers in a dangerous situation all the time. Prodigy's lyrics are a reminder that gang culture is very much a part of the hip-hop esthetic that has spread from the streets to the mainstream. He’s telling us how they used to survive the culture and the life that led them to become hip-hop artists. The Infamous Prelude is an indication of the dark turn rap was beginning to take towards the 1990s. In a time where so much of rap was being sanitized for commercial and mainstream consumption, Mobb Deep delivered a sobering reality check.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah. Hold the fuck up. We gon' take this little intermission, listen to what the fuck I got to say ya know?
Prodigy is asking the audience to pause and listen as he speaks about his experience and credibility.
I been doin this shit for years; holdin' heat, sellin, using, abusing all types of drugs. Robbin' niggas, runnin up in niggas' cribs, ya know? The whole shit.
Prodigy explains that he has been involved in illicit activities for a long time including using, selling, and abusing drugs and robbing people's homes.
So don't ever in yo life get me confused with some of them other niggas that you might see on TV, or hear on the radio and such, ya know what I'm sayin?
He is requesting that he not be misunderstood as a different individual or be compared to other rappers due to their differences.
When you see me at a show, on stage or on the street, I definetely got the gat on me, know what I'm sayin? Knowaimean? [sniffs]
He affirms his possession of a weapon and his readiness to use it.
And it aint like I'm tryin to be a tough guy, or I'm tryin to make people think I'm crazy by sayin all this shit.
He denies that he speaks aggressively and forcefully just to appear as fearless and dominant.
What it is that, I know how niggas gets down, aight? I used to be in the clubs, the music tunnel or whatever-the-fuck.
He understands and has experienced how people behave in certain situations such as clubbing.
Lotta these so called rap niggas aint never seen no parts of that shit, knowatimsayin? Dig where I'm comin from?
He implies that lots of rappers have never faced or been present during such events and can't truly relate to him.
And I know a lot of ya'll niggas, matter fact all ya'll niggas right now listenin to this shit like "Yeah, yeah we gon' see them Mobb Deep niggas. We gon' see what they about. Knowatimsayin? Touch where they head is at."
He seems to make direct contact with his audience and expects them to hold an opinion about him and his qualities.
Yo, I'll let ya'll niggas know right now yaknowwatimsayin you aint gotta waste yo time or yo money on ya hospital bills.
He warns his potential adversaries that attacking him could cost them their health and finances.
If you step to me on a personal level, I don't back down easy knowatmsayin there's a good chance ya ass is either gon' get shot, stabbed, or knuckled down, one out of the three.
He indicts that he doesn't retreat easily and that the outcome of a confrontation with him could be dangerous.
So don't gamble wit ya life, du'.
He advises his listeners not to risk their lives.
And believe me, I know very well I can get shot, stabbed, or fucked up too, whatever. I aint super-nigga I'm a lil skinny mothafucker.
He admits that he too can be vulnerable and hurt in a fight despite being confident.
It's all about who gets who first though, knowaimsayin?
He implies that in a fight the winner is determined by who acts first.
So therefore, say no more, to all my niggas get the money, frontin' niggas get deceased.
He calls upon his people to focus on making wealthy while reiterating that show-offs are going to perish.
And oh yeah.. to all them rap ass niggas wit ya half assed rhymes talkin bout how much you get high, how much weed you smoke and that crazy space shit that don't even make no sense: don't ever speak to me when you see me, knowaimsaying?
He rejects to be associated with rappers who sing about drugs and crazy stuff he doesn't relate to.
Imma have to get on some ol' high school shit, start punchin niggas in they face just for livin.
He implies that he could engage in such school-like conflicts to maintain his beliefs.
Yo, I'm finnished what I had to say, ya'll can continue on.
He concludes his prelude and allows the music to resume.
Contributed by Elizabeth D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@goldbullion9274
This is arguably one of the hardest beats in rap history and still gets played till today.
@RemingtonSteel
METERS MUSIC Mobb has a few of them. This one. Survival of the fittest, drop a gem in em, hell on earth , get away
@ch.illmatic
Arguably? Man you trippin' it is😂
@ch.illmatic
@@RemingtonSteel and shook ones part I too
@wernerr4648
You just stole one of most liked comments, pathetic
@amolfetto3216
i would argue that survival of the fittest is a harder and darker beat then this
@bama4770
To people whos 20 n younger listening to this I salute u
@ponchito17
Thanks I'm only 13
@rubywaller2073
17
@arctic9163
17