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.
Get Away
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For these streets like a fein for crack
But pullin me back
Its real got a nigga goin (ooh ooh) cause no matter drama or gossip
My heart is your hood my dogs niggas I rock with (get away)
Before you get clapped put the tougnes to two loose have everybody on the corner goin (ooh ooh)
Holdin they mouth shock as fuck I just had to air that boy out (get away)
And now theres blood on my tims snitches callin 1 800 crime stoppers
Cuz they want that thousand dollars
And not only that police will die to catch a fucking collar (get away)
And I'm out of here ain't no telling when I be back
Get rid of this gat
Dog you know I flew (ooh ooh) hell out of dodge
Nigga bout this paper ain't no time to be sitting behind bars
I got to get away but fuck that never let a nigga take me out of my zone
If he tryin to blown it go
(ooh ooh) wit no remorse kid its the cold hearted
Queens nigga grimey retarted
You know
'Cause I'm not playin I'm bangin hammers on niggas
Put hands on that niggas life (ooh ooh)
Just beat the shit out you I brawl like animal
Your whole team scrambling ( thats right) ( get away)
When we come through pushing new trucks
Bitches be pushing and shoving to look at us
They go (ooh ooh) yeah take a good look bitch
This might be last time you'll see gangsters like this
Then (get away) cuz somebody bout to die
And its going to be a stampede when them shots fly
(blah ba blah) (ooh ooh) rip that nigga you know
R.I.P your soul just lift up and (get away)
Uh huh yeah you out of here nigga
I'll see on that other side bye nigga
( other side) (thats right) families cry river
Courtesey of my niggas we terrorize rappers
I got to get away but fuck that never let a nigga take me out my zone
If he tryin blown it go
(ooh ooh) wit no remorse kid its the cold hearted
Queens nigga grimey retarted you know
I got to get away
(No doubt tell it like it is)
Its either me or you
Believe it dog no a nigga like you ain't got shit to loose (ooh ooh)
Prodigy:
Cuz you walking that thin line
I'm clapping you first time for a motherfucker trying(get away)
Havoc:
To put it past me
That ass be bleeding somewhere like a hemophilly act exactly (ooh ooh)
(shut the fuck up)
Prodigy:
Before its to late go at your gut
You ain't a gangster and yes you could get touched (get away)
Havoc:
Saw it before the henny was talking
It wasn't him but you know that nine stopped that (uh huh) (ooh ooh) ( grow up)
Prodigy:
I swear these niggas like bitches
Havoc:
Why is that?
Prodigy:
Cause these niggas always laying on their back
The lyrics to Mobb Deep's song "Get Away" showcase the harsh reality of life on the streets. The song tells the story of a violent confrontation that leads to someone getting shot and killed, and the singer of the song is forced to flee the scene of the crime to avoid getting caught up in the aftermath. The lyrics emphasize the sense of danger and desperation felt by those living in impoverished areas, where violence and crime are a constant threat.
The chorus of the song, "Sometimes I feel I got to get away," suggests a feeling of restlessness and the desire to escape the harsh reality of life on the streets. The singer realizes that he is in danger and needs to leave the area to avoid getting caught up in the violence. The lyrics use a slang term for heroin addiction ("fein for crack") to describe the allure of the streets and the difficulty of breaking free from their grip.
The verses of the song describe the violent confrontation that leads to the need to escape. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the scene, including the sound of gunfire and the shock of those witnessing the event. The song also speaks to the sense of loyalty and camaraderie that can exist among those living on the streets, with references to the singer's "dogs n***as" and the need to "terrorize rappers" at the end of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel I got to (get away)
The streets can be overwhelming, and I need to take a break.
For these streets like a fein for crack
The streets are addictive, like drugs.
But pullin me back
No matter how hard I try to leave, these streets always bring me back.
Its real got a nigga goin (ooh ooh) cause no matter drama or gossip
The drama and gossip on the streets can be intense.
My heart is your hood my dogs niggas I rock with (get away)
The people I care about the most are from this neighborhood, but I need to take a break.
Before you get clapped put the tougnes to two loose have everybody on the corner goin (ooh ooh)
Before you get shot, keep your mouth shut, otherwise, everyone will be shocked by what happens.
Holdin they mouth shock as fuck I just had to air that boy out (get away)
Everyone is horrified as I shoot, and I need to get away now.
And now theres blood on my tims snitches callin 1 800 crime stoppers
There's blood on my shoes from the shooting, and now people are calling the police to turn me in.
When they see me they like (ooh ooh)
People are scared of me when they see me.
Cuz they want that thousand dollars
People will turn me in for the reward money.
And not only that police will die to catch a fucking collar (get away)
The police will do anything to catch me.
And I'm out of here ain't no telling when I be back
I'm leaving now, and I don't know when I'll be back.
Get rid of this gat
I need to get rid of my gun.
Dog you know I flew (ooh ooh) hell out of dodge
I left town in a hurry.
Nigga bout this paper ain't no time to be sitting behind bars
I'm focused on making money, not getting caught and going to prison.
I got to get away but fuck that never let a nigga take me out of my zone
I need to take a break, but I won't let anyone mess with my mindset.
If he tryin to blown it go
If anyone tries to mess with me, I'll retaliate.
(ooh ooh) wit no remorse kid its the cold hearted Queens nigga grimey retarded
I have no mercy because I'm from Queens, and people think I'm slow.
When we come through pushing new trucks
When we come through in our fancy cars,
Bitches be pushing and shoving to look at us
Women are fighting to see us up close.
They go (ooh ooh) yeah take a good look bitch
They're in awe of us.
This might be last time you'll see gangsters like this
This might be the last time you'll see real gangsters like us.
Then (get away) cuz somebody bout to die
We need to leave because someone is about to get killed.
And its going to be a stampede when them shots fly
People will be running away when we start shooting.
(blah ba blah) (ooh ooh) rip that nigga you know R.I.P your soul just lift up and (get away)
We killed someone, and now we need to get away quickly.
Uh huh yeah you out of here nigga
You're dead.
I'll see on that other side bye nigga (other side) (thats right) families cry river
You're going to hell, and your family is going to mourn you.
Courtesey of my niggas we terrorize rappers
We're famous for intimidating other rappers.
Its either me or you
It's either me or you that's going to die.
Believe it dog no a nigga like you ain't got shit to loose (ooh ooh)
You have nothing to lose, and I'm not afraid to kill you.
Cuz you walking that thin line
You're playing with fire.
I'm clapping you the first time for a motherfucker trying (get away)
I'll shoot you the first time you try to mess with me.
To put it past me
Don't underestimate me.
That ass be bleeding somewhere like a hemophilly act exactly (ooh ooh) (shut the fuck up)
I won't hesitate to shoot you, and you'll be lying on the ground bleeding.
Before its too late go at your gut
I'll attack you before you attack me.
You ain't a gangster and yes you could get touched (get away)
You're not a real gangster, and I'll hurt you.
Saw it before the henny was talking
I could see your true colors before you were drunk.
It wasn't him but you know that nine stopped that (uh huh) (ooh ooh) (grow up)
Someone else was blamed for the shooting, but I know I did it.
I swear these niggas like bitches
These guys are weak.
Why is that?
Why are they acting like this?
Cause these niggas always laying on their back
They're always getting taken down by someone.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FELICIA CELESTE STONEY, JARRETT JOHNSON, JUSTICE LEAGUE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jh13inker
Can't belive how my generation took this Era of hip hop for granted. We just always thought it would be what it always was. I was wrong. God bless the dead.
@itiswhatitis4821
you right.... makes me sad to listen hiphop these days... with so many good content back in the days nowadays its just sh*t!!!
@maxdembo2029
We really did. But to be fair we were rating against the 90s. We didn’t realise it would go to shit.
@blakecoleman3045
Just glad i lived in the right era. Cuz this hotter then anything i heard the past 5yrs
@ksiroby2940
This came out almost 20 years ago still high school
@user-pg9eo2rh9z
I am so thankful for being alive to appreciate that music. Because it's gone.
@jtv4095
RIP Prodigy 😥
@Mrbuzz12
yeah man, he was the coolest. rip.
@SoFreshnSoClean404
JTV R.I.p. Capital P
@kemarfimiyaad7181
50 Cent Making This The End Credit Song At The End Of Power Book 2 Season 2 Episode 2 Making Sure Mobb Deep Keep Getting Them Royalty Checks True Boss Move 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽