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.
Drop A Gem On 'Em
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once again
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on 'em
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on 'em
Drop a gem on 'em
Sick and tired, ugly fake crooks need to retire
They got you gassed, take a match and smack fire out your
Maggot ass, Havoc represent for the QBC
Smoke that ass like a loosie, though I need to quit
Fuck it, I love it
Like a cloud over the projects, your game, I'm above it
It's combat, gats, bangers and all that
You's a small cat, whatever you on, get off that
I mention nothin' but the real shit, presentin'
The hollow-tip crew, 41st side convention
Stride full, you half-steppin'
Like a fresh TEC out of the box, yo, niggas, I'm testin'
That's no question, bitch-ass, have you confessin'
Like a DT, left in state of depression
You under pressure, in tag, no doubt catcher
The snitch-snatcher, shooken with asthma, you Casper
You yell my name, that's only givin' me props
Plus the fans that you got wonderin' what's got you hot
It's Tu-Not, knocked out the box and got rocked
Got raped on the Island, you officially got
Kick that thug shit, Vibe magazine on some love shit
Keep it real, kid, 'cause you don't know who you fuckin' with
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on 'em
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on 'em
Drop a gem on 'em, son
You know I got jewels, infinite, son
Yo
Yeah, likewise, tired of rap guys that's faggots
Yeah, P'll shut eyes and swole up your whole outside
I baptize, niggas get wet, hit up your backside
Get claptized and set straight, put on your head straight
Watch out for these upstate cats
Be leery of New Yiddy niggas with gats with the wall on they back
Rikers Island flashbacks of the house you got scufted in
You would think that gettin' your head shot's enough, but then
Now you wanna go at my team
Must have been drunk when you wrote that shit
Too bad you had to did it to your own self
My rebellion, retaliate
I had the whole New York state
Aimin' at your face at the gate
Bottom line off top soon as you came through
Shots flew, don't even know the half of my crew
I got a hundred strong-arm niggas ready to rock your shit
Clocks tick, your days are numbered in low digits
You look suspicious, suspect niggas is bitches
Get chopped up, Grade A meat, somethin' delicious
And laced back up, two G's worth of stitches
To reconstruct your face and learn how to speak again
My mob's like a bunch of wild Puerto Ricans
With bangers the size of African spears, it's warfare
In the arena, we turn arenas into house of horrors
It's Terrordome, when you see my clique, you need to run behind shit
You got a gat, you better find it
And use that shit, think fast and get reminded
Of robberies in Manhattan, you know what happened
Sixty G's worth of gun clappin'
Who shot ya?
You probably screamed louder than an opera
New York got ya
Now you wanna use my Mobb as a crutch
What you think, you can't get bucked again?
Once again
Back in the house once again
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on 'em
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on 'em
The song "Drop a Gem on 'Em" by Mobb Deep is a diss track directed towards rapper Tupac Shakur, who was killed in 1996. This song was released posthumously by Mobb Deep as a response to Tupac's diss track "Hit 'Em Up."
The lyrics are filled with aggressive, violent imagery and threats, and are directed towards anyone who dares to disrespect the Mobb Deep crew. The chorus "drop a gem on 'em" is a euphemism for shooting someone with a gun, suggesting that the Mobb Deep crew will take violent action against their enemies.
Throughout the song, Havoc and Prodigy take turns rapping about their skills as gangsters and their willingness to use violence to protect their reputation. The lyrics are intense and aggressive, and are a reflection of the violent and competitive rap scene of the mid-1990s.
Overall, "Drop a Gem on 'Em" is a classic example of the brutal and uncompromising sound of gangsta rap, and serves as a testament to the intense rivalry and aggression that was part of the hip-hop scene during that time.
Line by Line Meaning
Once again
Mobb Deep is back with another track
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Mobb Deep is back with their signature style
Live the life, that of diamonds and guns and now gems
Mobb Deep has moved up in the world and has access to more precious things
Pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
Mobb Deep is always armed and ready for whatever may come their way
The Mobb got the bomb, run out and tell a friend
Mobb Deep has a new hit and they want everyone to know about it
Drop a gem on 'em
Mobb Deep is about to spit some truth and make everyone listen
Sick and tired, ugly fake crooks need to retire
Mobb Deep is tired of all the fake people pretending to be something they're not
They got you gassed, take a match and smack fire out your
Mobb Deep is calling out those who are pretending to be something they're not and wants to see some real action
Maggot ass, Havoc represent for the QBC
Havoc is standing up for their neighborhood and calling out those who don't belong
Smoke that ass like a loosie, though I need to quit
Mobb Deep is going to take down their enemies like it's nothing, even though they need to slow down
Fuck it, I love it
Mobb Deep doesn't care what anyone thinks, they're going to keep doing what they're doing
Like a cloud over the projects, your game, I'm above it
Mobb Deep is on another level and won't let anyone bring them down
It's combat, gats, bangers and all that
Mobb Deep is always ready for a fight and will use whatever they have to win
You's a small cat, whatever you on, get off that
Mobb Deep is calling out their enemies for being weak and telling them to step up their game
I mention nothin' but the real shit, presentin'
Mobb Deep only talks about what's real and wants everyone to know that
The hollow-tip crew, 41st side convention
Mobb Deep represents their neighborhood and has their crew together
Stride full, you half-steppin'
Mobb Deep is moving forward while others are holding back
Like a fresh TEC out of the box, yo, niggas, I'm testin'
Mobb Deep is putting their enemies to the test and wants to see what they're made of
That's no question, bitch-ass, have you confessin'
Mobb Deep is not afraid to make their enemies confess to their wrongdoing
Like a DT, left in state of depression
Mobb Deep will leave their enemies feeling helpless and defeated
You under pressure, in tag, no doubt catcher
Mobb Deep has their enemies under pressure and is about to catch them in the act
The snitch-snatcher, shooken with asthma, you Casper
Mobb Deep is taking down the snitches and making them disappear
You yell my name, that's only givin' me props
Mobb Deep is so well known that even their enemies are giving them credit
Plus the fans that you got wonderin' what's got you hot
Mobb Deep's enemies are popular but no one understands why
It's Tu-Not, knocked out the box and got rocked
Mobb Deep is making an example out of their enemies and showing everyone what happens when you mess with them
Got raped on the Island, you officially got
Mobb Deep is making their enemies feel humiliated and exposed
Kick that thug shit, Vibe magazine on some love shit
Mobb Deep is calling out the magazine industry for promoting fake gangsterism
Keep it real, kid, 'cause you don't know who you fuckin' with
Mobb Deep wants everyone to know that they should be careful who they mess with
You know I got jewels, infinite, son
Mobb Deep has a lot of valuable things that they're willing to defend at all costs
Yeah, likewise, tired of rap guys that's faggots
Mobb Deep is done with fake rappers pretending to be tough
Yeah, P'll shut eyes and swole up your whole outside
Mobb Deep is warning their enemies that they will be beaten badly
I baptize, niggas get wet, hit up your backside
Mobb Deep is going to take down their enemies and leave them soaking wet
Get claptized and set straight, put on your head straight
Mobb Deep is going to straighten out their enemies and make them think differently
Watch out for these upstate cats
Mobb Deep is warning everyone to be careful of their crew
Be leery of New Yiddy niggas with gats with the wall on they back
Mobb Deep is saying that they're not afraid to use their weapons and they're always ready for a fight
Rikers Island flashbacks of the house you got scufted in
Mobb Deep is bringing up past humiliations and showing how vulnerable their enemies can be
You would think that gettin' your head shot's enough, but then
Mobb Deep thinks that their enemies haven't learned from their past mistakes
Now you wanna go at my team
Mobb Deep's enemies are trying to take them down
Must have been drunk when you wrote that shit
Mobb Deep thinks that their enemies are trying to start something stupid
Too bad you had to did it to your own self
Mobb Deep thinks that their enemies are bringing themselves down
My rebellion, retaliate
Mobb Deep is going to fight back and protect their territory
I had the whole New York state
Mobb Deep has a lot of influence and power in New York
Aimin' at your face at the gate
Mobb Deep is ready to take down their enemies from the get-go
Bottom line off top soon as you came through
Mobb Deep is making it clear that their enemies don't stand a chance
Shots flew, don't even know the half of my crew
Mobb Deep's enemies are in for a surprise when they realize how many people are on their side
I got a hundred strong-arm niggas ready to rock your shit
Mobb Deep is prepared to use their force to take down their enemies
Clocks tick, your days are numbered in low digits
Mobb Deep is saying that their enemies don't have much time left
You look suspicious, suspect niggas is bitches
Mobb Deep is calling out their enemies for being fake and pretending to be something they're not
Get chopped up, Grade A meat, somethin' delicious
Mobb Deep is going to take down their enemies and make it look easy
And laced back up, two G's worth of stitches
Mobb Deep is going to take care of their enemies and repair the damage they've done
To reconstruct your face and learn how to speak again
Mobb Deep is going to beat their enemies so badly that they'll need to learn how to talk again
My mob's like a bunch of wild Puerto Ricans
Mobb Deep's crew is wild and unpredictable
With bangers the size of African spears, it's warfare
Mobb Deep is saying that they have the power to take down anyone who messes with them
In the arena, we turn arenas into house of horrors
Mobb Deep is so powerful that they can even turn a place of entertainment into a nightmare
It's Terrordome, when you see my clique, you need to run behind shit
Mobb Deep is so scary that even their enemies should be afraid of them
You got a gat, you better find it
Mobb Deep is warning their enemies that they need to be prepared if they want to take them down
And use that shit, think fast and get reminded
Mobb Deep is saying that their enemies need to act quickly if they want to survive
Of robberies in Manhattan, you know what happened
Mobb Deep is reminding their enemies of their past mistakes and shortcomings
Sixty G's worth of gun clappin'
Mobb Deep has caused a lot of trouble and violence in the past
Who shot ya?
Mobb Deep is reminding their enemies that they have a history of violence
You probably screamed louder than an opera
Mobb Deep is saying that their enemies are weak and would scream in pain if they were hurt
New York got ya
Mobb Deep is saying that their enemies are vulnerable and can easily be taken down
Now you wanna use my Mobb as a crutch
Mobb Deep's enemies are trying to use them for protection
What you think, you can't get bucked again?
Mobb Deep is saying that their enemies should be prepared for another fight
Back in the house once again
Mobb Deep is back and ready to defend their territory
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albert Johnson, Kejuan Waliek Muchita
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brandon L
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Livin the life that of diamonds and guns
And now gems pulls gats
Like a basehead pulls on stems
The Mobb got the bomb run out and tell a friend
Drop A Gem On Em..
[Verse One: Havoc]
Take a tire, all these fake crooks need to retire
They gotcha gassed, takin back and snatch fire outcha
Maggot ass, Havoc represent for the Q-B-C
Smoke that ass like a lucie..tho I need to quit
Fuck it, I love it like a cloud
Over the projects your game Im above it
Its combat, gats bangers and all that
You'se a small cat, whatever you on get off that
I mention, nuthin but the real shit presentin
The hollow tip crew 41st side convention
Try for? you half-steppin
Like a fresh tec out of the box
Yo niggas I'm testin
(There's no question)
Bitch ass have you confessin
Like a D-T left in state of depression
You under pressure, intact no doubt catcher
The snitch-snatcher tookin wit asthma
You casper, you yell my name
Thats only givin me props
Plus the fans that you got, wonderin whats got you hot
Its too not, knocked out the box and got rocked
Got raped on the Island, you officially got
Kick that thug shit, Vibe magazine on some love shit
(keep it real kid, you don't know who you fuckin wit)
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
It's the Infamous back in the house once again
Livin the life that of diamonds and guns
And now gems pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb run out and tell a friend
Drop A Gem On Em
[Verse Two: Prodigy]
Yeah likewise, Im tired of rap guys whose faggots
Pure shuteye, and swole up your whole outside
I baptize, niggas get wet, put up your backside
Your claptized and set straight, put on your head straight
Watch out for,
These upstate cats be leary of you
Yeddy niggas wit gats plus the walls on they backs
Rikers Island flashback of the house you got scuffed it in
You would think you gettin your head shot was enough but then
Now you wanna got at my team,
You must of been drunk when you wrote that shit
Too bad you had to did it to your own self
My rebellion, I retaliate, I had the whole New York state
Aimin at your face
At the gate, bottom line of top soon as you came through
Shot through, don't even know the half of my crew
I got a hundred strong arm niggas ready to rock the shit
Clocks tick, your days are numbered in low digits
You look suspicious, suspect niggas is bitches
Get chppoed up, Grade A meat, somethin delicious
And laced back up, 2 G's, one for stitches
Then reconstruct your face and learn how to speak again
My Mobb's like a bunch of wild Puerto Ricans
Wit bangers the size of African spears
It's warfare in the arena, you turn arenas into house of horrors
Its terrodome, when you see my click you need to run behind shit
You gotta gat you betta find it
And use that shit think fast and get reminded
Of robberies in Manhattan you knew what happened
60 g's and one for gun clappin
Who Shot Ya? You'd probably scream louder than an opera
New York gotcha, now you wanna use my mob as a crutch
What makes you think you cant get bucked again
Once again, back in the house once again
Live the life that of diamonds and guns
And now gems pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The Mobb got the bomb run out and tell a friend
Its the Infamous..
Brian
Lyrics:
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Livin the life that of diamonds and guns
And now gems pulls gats
Like a basehead pulls on stems
The mobb got the bomb run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on em
Take a tire, all these fake crooks need to retire
They gotcha gassed, takin back and snatch fire outcha
Maggot ass, havoc represent for the Q-B-C
Smoke that ass like a lucie tho I need to quit
Fuck it, I love it like a cloud
Over the projects your game I'm above it
Its combat, gats bangers and all that
You'se a small cat, whatever you on get off that
I mention, nuthin but the real shit presentin
The hollow tip crew 41st side convention
Try for you half-steppin Like a fresh tec out of the box
Yo niggas I'm testin (there's no question)
Bitch ass have you confessin
Like a d-t left in state of depression
You under pressure, intact no doubt catcher
The snitch-snatcher tookin wit asthma
You casper, you yell my name that's only givin me props
Plus the fans that you got, wonderin what's got you hot
Its too not, knocked out the box and got rocked
Got raped on the island, you officially got
Kick that thug shit, vibe magazine on some love shit
(Keep it real kid, you don't know who you fuckin wit)
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Livin the life that of diamonds and guns
And now gems pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The mobb got the bomb run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on em
It's the infamous back in the house once again
Livin the life that of diamonds and guns
And now gems pull gats like a basehead pull on stems
The mobb got the bomb run out and tell a friend
Drop a gem on em
Yeah likewise, I'm tired of rap guys whose faggots
Pure shut eye, and swole up your whole outside
I baptize, niggas get wet, put up your backside
Denchkid123
Prodigy was on another level lyrically on Infamous and Hell on earth. He was razer sharp back then
roccett
+Denchkid123 he felt off sinc then. but his style on this and the Infamous is so grimmey. my fav MC fro bach then
Richard J
fell off? what are you nuts?
Go listen to HNIC
i music
P was live on murda muzik as well
Maal7
+i music And HNIC.
robny716
facts
The Chosen One
"Watchu think you can't get bucked again, once again".
That part always gives me goosebumps because it's almost like prodigy knew pac would get shot up again for a second time.
Hesham
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Kenny Blackbird
Pac even knew he was gonna wet up again sooner or later.
Hylician
@Kenny Blackbird wohrd to me