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.
Daydreamin'
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shoppin' sprees at the diamond dealer
Hats and jackets, shirts, pants and sneakers
That brand new car smell
We sceamin', daydreamin' of penthouses in L.A.
The illest yachts, the hottest broads they make
Can't wait 'til it's my turn to get dough
Coming up we ain't have much, a lot of canned food
Cereal in the white box with powdered milk too
My moms couldn't buy me the shoes I want
We put lay-away on shit that only cost a few bucks
It's cool to have shelto, I had the libeaz
With the weak ass Velcro, looking ridiculous
I knew way back then we had to step it up
'Cause waiting for the bus in the snow wasn't us
Me and hav' took the train from Manhattan to Conney
Everyday and night just so we can got songs done
We had guns, weed and a couple of forties
If we got lucky on the way, we could jook someone
We used to watch video music box
And pray maybe one day we could get a shot
Outside, my niggaz had all that shit you see on T.V.
From money that they made off the block
Daydreamin' of dirt bikes and four wheelers
Shoppin' sprees at the diamond dealer
Hats and jackets, shirts, pants and sneakers
That brand new car smell
We sceamin', daydreamin' of penthouses in L.A.
The illest yachts, the hottest broads they make
Can't wait 'til it's my turn to get dough
So I don't gotta fuckin' day dream no more
My day dreams is more like nightmares
A vigil, bullet proof cars, supped up time shares
My friends did a turn 'cause it's not they turn
Or how the streets gonna be when they release fur
When I get that million bucks will I remain the same?
Or will I have to get at niggaz 'cause they sayin' I changed?
Will everybody wanna ball, be my friend and leech?
When niggaz put me to the test, have me clapping the heat
I used to think bein' rich, ain't all that bad
A far cry from what a dream was all I had
Do I got the right team or they riding for cash
Would they jump in front of me when them cameras flash
Is the 'pop police, gon' be up my ass
Can't leave the heat under the seat, gotta find a better stash
Gotta collect receipts 'cause that bitch uncle Sam
Invades your space when you evade his tax
Daydreamin' of dirt bikes and four wheelers
Shoppin' sprees at the diamond dealer
Hats and jackets, shirts, pants and sneakers
That brand new car smell
We sceamin', daydreamin' of penthouses in L.A.
The illest yachts, the hottest broads they make
Can't wait 'til it's my turn to get dough
So I don't gotta fuckin' day dream no more
The song "Daydreamin'" by Mobb Deep is about the desire for materialistic things. The lyrics express wanting a life of luxury, thinking about dirt bikes, four wheelers, penthouses, the hottest cars, yachts, and diamonds. However, the song also highlights the struggles Mobb Deep faced growing up in Queens, New York. They came from humble beginnings where they didn't always have the latest items, like the shoes they wanted, and had to put things on layaway to buy them. The song reflects their unity and desire to improve their circumstances, as they took the train from Manhattan to Conney daily to work on their music.
The lyrics suggest that achieving material goods and wealth could bring not only prestige but also fear and danger, which is reflected in lines such as "My daydreams are more like nightmares" and "Will everybody wanna ball, be my friend and leech? When niggaz put me to the test, have me clapping the heat." In other words, money does not come without its risks and consequences.
Overall, "Daydreamin'" is a reflection on the desire for riches and material objects while acknowledging the dangers and conflicts that may come along with that lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Daydreamin' of dirt bikes and four wheelers
Thinking of fun, adventurous activities like dirt biking and four-wheeling
Shoppin' sprees at the diamond dealer
Daydreaming about shopping for expensive jewelry
Hats and jackets, shirts, pants and sneakers
Dreaming of owning new clothes and stylish accessories
That brand new car smell
Imagining the experience of buying and owning a new car
We sceamin', daydreamin' of penthouses in L.A.
Passionately desiring to live in luxurious penthouses in Los Angeles
The illest yachts, the hottest broads they make
Fantasizing about owning the most impressive yacht and dating the most attractive women
Can't wait 'til it's my turn to get dough
Looking forward eagerly to making money
So I don't gotta fuckin' day dream no more
Wanting to stop daydreaming because one's desires will have been fulfilled
Coming up we ain't have much, a lot of canned food
Growing up in poverty, and not having many food choices
Cereal in the white box with powdered milk too
Growing up eating inexpensive cereal with powdered milk
My moms couldn't buy me the shoes I want
Not being able to afford the footwear one desires
We put lay-away on shit that only cost a few bucks
Using layaway plans for even low-cost items
It's cool to have shelto, I had the libeaz
Having cheap, off-brand shoes
With the weak ass Velcro, looking ridiculous
Having shoes with Velcro that don't look good
I knew way back then we had to step it up
Realizing early on that one needed to strive to improve their situation
'Cause waiting for the bus in the snow wasn't us
Not wanting to wait for the bus in inclement weather
Me and hav' took the train from Manhattan to Conney
Traveling by train between Manhattan and Queens to work on music
Everyday and night just so we can got songs done
Working on music day and night so as to make progress
We had guns, weed and a couple of forties
Having weapons, marijuana, and alcohol
If we got lucky on the way, we could jook someone
If they got lucky, they could rob someone on the way
We used to watch video music box
Watching a local music television program
And pray maybe one day we could get a shot
Hoping to be featured on the television program one day
Outside, my niggaz had all that shit you see on T.V.
Watching their friends acquire and flaunt expensive items seen on television
From money that they made off the block
Earning the money to buy these items through illegal activities
My day dreams is more like nightmares
Dreams of success and wealth are accompanied by fears and anxieties
A vigil, bullet proof cars, supped up time shares
Worrying about needing security measures like bullet-proof cars AND worrying if the people sharing the property are trustworthy
My friends did a turn 'cause it's not they turn
Friends going to jail because they got caught in criminal activities that didn't belong to them
Or how the streets gonna be when they release fur
Worrying about what life will be like when friends finish their prison sentence
When I get that million bucks will I remain the same?
Wondering whether money can change one's identity and morals
Or will I have to get at niggaz 'cause they sayin' I changed?
Thinking about potential conflicts with friends who claim that success will have changed the person
Will everybody wanna ball, be my friend and leech?
Questioning the intentions of people who suddenly want to be friends because of newfound wealth
When niggaz put me to the test, have me clapping the heat
Being prepared to defend oneself with weapons if necessary
I used to think bein' rich, ain't all that bad
Previously thinking that wealth would solve many problems and make life easier, at least financially
A far cry from what a dream was all I had
Having dreams that seemed impossible to achieve at the time
Do I got the right team or they riding for cash
Questioning whether the people around one are loyal or simply using the person for financial gain
Would they jump in front of me when them cameras flash
Wondering whether the friends will protect one in the public eye or simply look out for themselves
Is the 'pop police, gon' be up my ass
Worrying that law enforcement will scrutinize one's actions because of their wealth
Can't leave the heat under the seat, gotta find a better stash
Needing to find a more secure location for weapons
Gotta collect receipts 'cause that bitch uncle Sam
Needing to be diligent with documenting expenses because of tax purposes
Invades your space when you evade his tax
Realizing the government will investigate if they sense one is hiding money and avoiding taxes
Lyrics © MUSIC MANAGEMENT, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD DEXTER BURNETTE, KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA, ALBERT JOHNSON, 0 Johnson, CHAD BURNETTE, Keijuan Muchita, SCOTT ATTRILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind