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.
Clap
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some niggas need the henny to endure the drama
All I need is information on your crib and armour
When it comes to creepin niggas know that I'm the father
Need guns get your own gas and never charter
Like a fucked up barber I push your wig farther
Pull strings have you gettin clapped and things
My gat is freaky to lick more than any shorty's tongue ring
Watch a bitch get her filll then she snitch and squeal
Blow a nigga have em leakin to the court of appeal
Serchin for Hav is like a search through fog
How you like to make a last pit stop at the morgue
Niggas wanna spread their wings then I'm clippin em off
Niggas wanna spread rumours I shoot their mouth off (uh-huh uh-huh)
And clap a bastard in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
And clap a bastard in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
And clap a nigga in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Yo yo
You bout to be another dead rapper but who know
Maybe its us, maybe its them other crews
We'll see, til then
All I know is how to get the guns in
And give it to a nigga good when he startin
Fuck that, fuck y'all, fuck all of this shit
Y'all better protect that boy, I'll murder that kid
You got jokes but ain't nobody over here laughin
All you get is standin ovation with mack 10's
45ths and more shit we applaud it
Niggas runnin wit cops, scared to go to war with
Some real rap niggas, we'll catch you at the source awards
From gettin at this nigga, pardon my force
You better get from around that nigga or you catchin it too
Your power is no match for my strength of wolves
Nigga we came into this game on this drama shit
More money more murder thats how we live it
More diamonds more guns is the beginnin
More of this gangsta shit can wear you out
Niggas see my gold max and you went all out (uh-huh uh-huh)
I clap a bastard in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
And clap a bastard in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Degree in drama knowledge, you nigga just pay the homage
You niggas should be abolished for that rappin ass garbage
To me, you just a target, easy to hit
With that loud bark stevie wonder couldn't even miss
Then it's 1, 2, 3, baby boy you gettin hit
And ripped, like a whole bitch, by the vultures
Rusty ass germs niggas already know this
Kill who you run with, in charge off who you die with
Prada'd up, Gucci'd up, died on some fly shit
Regulate a wig split a little nigga big nigga
Any nigga kill you your man to the pen shit
So fuck niggas they ain't on my level cos I been did it
Talk about cliques most infamous run with it
Catch your body's syndrome, most niggas sick with it
And clap a nigga in the first degree
Aiyyo fall back, step back, we built to last
Get back, move back, this is that smash
This is that murder you niggas get bucked
Your image gets shattered your bitches get fucked
We Mobb Deep anytime we stomp niggas out
Or I might catch you all on myself and spaz out
How heavy it plays out, you niggas is assed out
Take yourself to the first safe house and lock it down
So we wildin, for two thousand and two poundin
Any nigga out runnin with their mouth bound em
Guns clap security be callin for back up
??? bullets drop leavin them bagged up
Why we mash in a jag truck, with the 22's
They spin like how the 44 spun on you (uh-huh uh-huh)
And clap you niggas in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
And clap a bastard in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
Bust that, gimme that, nigga get clapped
And clap a nigga in the first degree (uh-huh uh-huh)
The lyrics of Mobb Deep's "Clap" allude to the dark and violent world of the streets. It starts with the lines "Some niggas need the henny to endure the drama/All I need is information on your crib and armour," which indicates that the artist does not need substances to cope with the violence that they intend to inflict. They go on to state that they are the "father" of "creepin," suggesting that they are highly skilled in their criminal activities. The verses also contain references to guns, violence, murder, and retribution, with phrases like "Need guns get your own gas and never charter," "Blow a nigga have em leakin to the court of appeal," "Niggas wanna spread rumours I shoot their mouth off," and "Regulate a wig split a little nigga big nigga." The song is entirely about brutal crime and is a reflection of the harsh realities that exist in certain parts of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Some niggas need the henny to endure the drama
Some people rely on alcohol to handle difficult situations, but I only need information about your location and armory.
When it comes to creepin niggas know that I'm the father
I am the best at sneaking up on people and catching them by surprise.
My gat is freaky to lick more than any shorty's tongue ring
My gun is so dangerous and effective that it could please someone more than even their significant other.
Watch a bitch get her filll then she snitch and squeal
I'll let someone think they're getting away with something, but then they'll turn on me and reveal all they know.
Serchin for Hav is like a search through fog
Finding Hav is like trying to navigate through a dense fog, it's extremely difficult.
Niggas wanna spread their wings then I'm clippin em off
If anyone tries to gain power or spread rumors about me, I'll quickly silence them.
You bout to be another dead rapper but who know
I can't predict who will die next, but there's a chance it could be a fellow rapper.
All you get is standin ovation with mack 10's
If you mess with me, I'll shoot you and your supporters with Mack 10 guns.
From gettin at this nigga, pardon my force
Sorry for my aggression, but I have to confront this person.
To me, you just a target, easy to hit
To me, you're an easy target that I can easily take down.
Regulate a wig split a little nigga big nigga
I can take on anyone, regardless of their size or level of power.
We Mobb Deep anytime we stomp niggas out
Me and my fellow Mobb Deep members will take down anyone who opposes us.
Guns clap security be callin for back up
If we start firing guns, security will be overwhelmed and need backup.
Why we mash in a jag truck, with the 22's
We use a Jaguar car and carry .22 caliber guns while driving around and causing trouble.
And clap you niggas in the first degree
I will shoot and kill anyone who opposes me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALBERT JOHNSON, KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA, J. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind