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.
Hit It From the Back
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How we hit it?
Check it out
Shorty don't front, you better act like you're widdit
Frontin like you never did it, bitch admit it
Matter fact, shut the fuck up and turn around
If you still got walls I'mma tear the shits down
Prepare to stay long, cause I don't cum quick
Little or big, I tear that ass out the frame
Talkin like you're ill, but the shit is all game
You're weak on top, you can't ride like a stallion
Hit it from the back, then I'm audi 5000
But if you're ill we can chill smoke the fat Phil'
A little somethin just to make shit real
Off with the light, fuck a invite, just make sure
You don't got the period, cause I don't want red lights
Aight? You know my motherfuckin' steelo
Rippin from the back, bitch you know how we go
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Uh, knowmsayin?
Check it out, word is bond
Knowmsayin, gonna flip it like dis
Rink-a-dink, rink-a-dink dinky dink
I used to hit raw daddy, but now I carry packs of three
Bulletproof I refuse to let the monster get me
I'm in, hit it from the back like that
Shorty black never tap no skins that look wack
I got mad game like Twister, nasty little mister
Quick to talk dirty to a sister
I met the shorty at the Skate Key
What's her name? Nevermind, cause she might try to sue me
Juiced her up, took her to the projects
So uh, if she was with it maybe we could have sex
You know what happens next, drop to your knees
Bitch caught a bone spin I win
As she starts to proceed, she said she wanted me
To drop a seed, I told her parlay and just be
Cause cunt little stunt with my butter dick shorty
You talk too much, so lay back and enjoy the blunt
I put it in her, she starts to wild
She said slow down, I said this is shorty wop style
A versatile, rough sex, fuck love makin
Flip the script shorty, and flip yourself over
On your hands and knees Cochise
From the back I don't shoot blanks and I'm out black
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Word, yeah
Uhh, whoo! Knahmsayin?
From the back
I like dat (I like dat)
Shorty don't front, you better act like you're widdit
Frontin' like you never did it, bitch admit it
Matter fact, shut the fuck up and turn around
If you still got walls I'mma tear the shits down
Just one of few brothers vigorous with the dick
Prepare to stay long, cause I don't cum quick
Little or big, I tear that ass out the frame
Talkin like you're ill, but the shit is all game
You're weak on top, you can't ride like a stallion
Hit it from the back, then I'm Audi 5000
But if you're ill we can chill smoke the fat Phil'
A little somethin just to make shit real
Off with the light, fuck a invite, just make sure
You don't got the period, cause I don't want red lights
Aight? You know my motherfuckin' steelo
Rippin' from the back, bitch you know how we go
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Hit it from the back like that
Shorty don't front you better act like you widdit
Strictly back shots you better act like you widdit
Yeah, knahmsayin? Just buggin out
Stupid bitch
From the back, word up
Uh-huh, check it out
What we gon' do is flip it like this
Check it, bust how I do
Yeah, yeah, uh-huh
The lyrics to Mobb Deep's “Hit It From the Back” are quite straightforward, making it easy to interpret the meaning behind the song. The main focus is on the sexual act of “hitting it from the back,” or engaging in intercourse from a doggy-style position. The lyrics also suggest that the person being addressed in the song, a woman, is hesitant to engage in the act, and is described as “frontin’ like you never did it.” The person rapping is persistent in their desire, asserting that if she still has “walls,” they will “tear the shits down.” They also insinuate that they will not last long sexually, but will “prepare to stay long” for this particular partner.
The lyrics of “Hit It From the Back” are wholly explicit, with no real subtext or deeper meaning. They are focused entirely on the sexual encounter at hand, detailing the acts and desires of the rapper. The straightforwardness of the song and its lyrics is likely the reason it was so popular among fans of 90s hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Shorty don't front, you better act like you're widdit
Don't play games, just admit that you want it
Frontin like you never did it, bitch admit it
Stop pretending like you're innocent and own up to your desires
Matter fact, shut the fuck up and turn around
Stop talking and get in position for sex
If you still got walls I'mma tear the shits down
I'm going to penetrate you so deeply that it will feel like I'm breaking down walls
Just one of few brothers vigorous with the dick
I'm a skilled and confident performer in bed
Prepare to stay long, cause I don't cum quick
I have stamina and endurance during sex
Little or big, I tear that ass out the frame
I can pleasure anyone, regardless of their physical attributes
Talkin like you're ill, but the shit is all game
You may act confident, but you're not as good in bed as you claim to be
You're weak on top, you can't ride like a stallion
You're not good at being on top during sex
Hit it from the back, then I'm audi 5000
After sex, I'll be leaving quickly
But if you're ill we can chill smoke the fat Phil'
If you're skilled in bed, we can relax and smoke marijuana
A little somethin just to make shit real
Marijuana can enhance the sexual experience
Off with the light, fuck a invite, just make sure
Turn off the lights and let's have spontaneous sex, but make sure you're not on your period
You don't got the period, cause I don't want red lights
I don't want to have sex during a woman's menstrual period
Aight? You know my motherfuckin' steelo
You know my way of doing things and my style in bed
Rippin from the back, bitch you know how we go
The way I have sex is rough and from behind
I used to hit raw daddy, but now I carry packs of three
I used to have unprotected sex, but now I use condoms
Bulletproof I refuse to let the monster get me
I'm taking precautions to avoid getting a sexually transmitted infection
Juiced her up, took her to the projects
I got her excited and brought her to a low-income housing area for sex
So uh, if she was with it maybe we could have sex
If she was willing, we could have sex
Bitch caught a bone spin I win
She got turned on and I was successful
As she starts to proceed, she said she wanted me
As she started to pleasure me, she expressed her desire for me
To drop a seed, I told her parlay and just be
She wanted me to impregnate her, but I suggested she relax and enjoy the sex
Cause cunt little stunt with my butter dick shorty
She was being difficult and trying to manipulate me with her sexuality
You talk too much, so lay back and enjoy the blunt
Stop talking and just relax and enjoy marijuana
She said slow down, I said this is shorty wop style
She asked me to slow down, but I refused and continued with my aggressive style
A versatile, rough sex, fuck love makin
I like to have aggressive and varied sex rather than just emotional lovemaking
Flip the script shorty, and flip yourself over
Change things up and try a different position
On your hands and knees Cochise
Get down on your hands and knees
From the back I don't shoot blanks and I'm out black
I'm successful in pleasing my sexual partner from behind and afterward I'm leaving quickly
Shorty don't front you better act like you widdit
Don't pretend like you don't want to have sex
Strictly back shots you better act like you widdit
We're only doing it from behind, so don't act like you don't want it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albert Johnson, Kejuan Waliek Muchita
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind