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.
Hurt Niggas
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm like Ray Benzino cause how I hang men
I got a big caliber gun inside of my Timb
So I can explode on any mothafucka that grin
Trust me, it's not like that, it's not what you thought
You'll be like "P shot me and bounced in the Porsche"
On some real live Mobb shit, Columbo, the Cappo
I pop niggas, leave the gun right there, I got gloves
I drop niggas thats runnin', shoot 'em in they back dun
Coward ass nigga poppin' all that shit
And when them things popped out you on some Michael Johnson shit
Fuck that, hammer that nigga to the earth
Wanna cross me? you niggas gotta pay that toll first
And I got change for all that million dollar shit
And these slugs 'll be the only reason niggas be hollarin'
Turn this shit up, pump this shit up, DJ mothafuckas burn this shit up
We hurt niggas
Twirl that shit up, burn that shit up, don't make me have the Nine spit
Up, I gives a fid-uck, I hurt niggas
I'm tired of tellin' niggas how the fuck I feel
You know the steel 'll put them niggas to sleep like Benedryl
These trash ass rappers and they faggot ass friends
Talkin' like the bitches, walk around like they Men
Niggas like ya'll don't get no respect
This is Hav', I die once, ya'll niggas die a Thousand deaths
Cowards, you tryin' too hard to be 'bout it
You know them niggas that be fake be the ones to shout it (Holla!)
Talkin' this and that, but check
Turn around and get robbed in they own projects
Might as well be rappin' on stage for them
Bitches be baggin' you, cause you the one feminine
The sound of these guns got 'em shook, it's a rap
You could see the yellow stripe runnin' clear down they back
And let a nigga find out where you live at
And then blow that mothafuckin' piece of shit off the map
Whattup son, dun, surprise nigga, thats how we pop up on 'em
You off point you die in your sleep, thats the moral
Nigga, you know we get our contraban in
Smokin' that dangerous, you know we got bangers
You know I'm dead real, I don't know what you was thinkin'
I'm all over the street, you better stay creepin'
I shoot niggas fair ones, I'll box you dun
You'll be six feet in that dirt, I'll stop your run
Turn this shit up, pump this shit up, DJ mothafuckas burn this shit up
We hurt niggas
Twirl that shit up, burn that shit up, don't make me have the Nine spit
Up, I gives a fid-uck, I hurt niggas
The lyrics to Mobb Deep's "Hurt Niggas" depict a world of violence and vengeance, where the ultimate measure of respect is fear. The singer boasts about his ability to exact brutal revenge on those who cross him, using his "big caliber gun" to "explode on any mothafucka that grin." He claims to have no mercy for cowards and fronters, dropping them without hesitation and leaving them "real fucked up." The chorus repeats the phrase "we hurt niggas," cementing the idea that violence is the only means of gaining power and respect in the world the singer inhabits.
At the same time, the lyrics also reveal a deep sense of insecurity and paranoia. The singer is constantly on guard, knowing that he himself is always at risk of being hurt. He refers to himself as Ray Benzino, a nod to the hip-hop mogul who famously feuded with Eminem and was subsequently targeted in a drive-by shooting. He also warns that those who attempt to cross him must "pay that toll first," suggesting that he is always wary of potential threats.
Overall, "Hurt Niggas" is a bleak portrayal of a world where violence begets violence, and where even the most powerful players are ultimately at the mercy of those who would seek to hurt them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll noose ya'll, and push ya'll off the edge
I will hang you and make you fall to your death.
I'm like Ray Benzino cause how I hang men
I am similar to Ray Benzino in terms of how I execute people.
I got a big caliber gun inside of my Timb
I carry a large gun in my Timberland boots.
So I can explode on any mothafucka that grin
I am ready to shoot and kill anyone who smiles at me the wrong way.
Trust me, it's not like that, it's not what you thought
Believe me, the situation is not as you assumed it to be.
You'll be like "P shot me and bounced in the Porsche"
You will say "P shot me and drove away in his Porsche"
On some real live Mobb shit, Columbo, the Cappo
I am a member of the Mobb and I am the boss like Columbo.
I pop niggas, leave the gun right there, I got gloves
I shoot and kill people, but I wear gloves so as to not leave any fingerprints.
Stop niggas from frontin', leave 'em real fucked up
I prevent people from being fake and leave them in a terrible condition.
I drop niggas thats runnin', shoot 'em in they back dun
I kill people who try to run away by shooting them in the back.
Coward ass nigga poppin' all that shit
A person who talks tough, but is actually a coward.
And when them things popped out you on some Michael Johnson shit
When the guns were fired, you ran away like Michael Johnson.
Fuck that, hammer that nigga to the earth
I will beat that person to the ground.
Wanna cross me? you niggas gotta pay that toll first
If you want to mess with me, you have to pay a price first.
And I got change for all that million dollar shit
I have the money to deal with any situation.
And these slugs 'll be the only reason niggas be hollarin'
The bullets fired by me will be the only thing that makes people scream.
Turn this shit up, pump this shit up, DJ mothafuckas burn this shit up
Increase the volume and intensity of this music, let the DJ play it loud.
We hurt niggas
We cause harm to people.
Twirl that shit up, burn that shit up, don't make me have the Nine spit
Smoke marijuana and handle firearms, don't make me use my 9mm gun.
Up, I gives a fid-uck, I hurt niggas
I don't care, I hurt people.
I'm tired of tellin' niggas how the fuck I feel
I am exhausted from explaining my feelings to people.
You know the steel 'll put them niggas to sleep like Benedryl
The gun will put those people to sleep permanently.
These trash ass rappers and they faggot ass friends
These terrible rappers and their weak friends.
Talkin' like the bitches, walk around like they Men
They talk like women but act like men.
Niggas like ya'll don't get no respect
People like you do not deserve respect.
This is Hav', I die once, ya'll niggas die a Thousand deaths
I am Havoc, I will only die once, but you all will experience a thousand deaths.
Cowards, you tryin' too hard to be 'bout it
You are acting fake to appear tough.
You know them niggas that be fake be the ones to shout it (Holla!)
The people who act fake are usually the ones who shout the most.
Turnin' this and that, but check
Making various claims, but look closer.
Turn around and get robbed in they own projects
They get robbed in their own neighborhood.
Might as well be rappin' on stage for them
They might as well be performing for their own people.
Bitches be baggin' you, cause you the one feminine
Women pursue you because you act like a woman.
The sound of these guns got 'em shook, it's a rap
The sound of our guns scares them, they are finished.
You could see the yellow stripe runnin' clear down they back
You can see the fear in them by a yellow stripe on their back.
And let a nigga find out where you live at
If someone discovers your address.
And then blow that mothafuckin' piece of shit off the map
They will kill that person and make them disappear completely.
Whattup son, dun, surprise nigga, thats how we pop up on 'em
Hey friend, surprise, this is how we approach them.
You off point you die in your sleep, thats the moral
If you are not alert, you will be killed in your sleep, that is the lesson to be learned.
Nigga, you know we get our contraban in
You know we smuggle illegal goods.
Smokin' that dangerous, you know we got bangers
We smoke dangerous drugs and carry guns.
You know I'm dead real, I don't know what you was thinkin'
You know I am authentic and don't know what you were expecting.
I'm all over the street, you better stay creepin'
I am everywhere, so you better be cautious.
I shoot niggas fair ones, I'll box you dun
I fight people one-on-one and can beat you in a boxing match.
You'll be six feet in that dirt, I'll stop your run
You will be buried six feet underground, and I will stop you from escaping.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: ALBERT JOHNSON, J. WILLIAMS, KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA, TAJUAN PERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind