1992β1994: 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.
1995β2000: 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 βfurther 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).
2001β2004: 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" β 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.
2005β2017
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, βAs 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.β 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.
One Of Ours Part II
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you know you gotta give back to the community
Gotta show these motherfuckers how to wipe them thangs off y'know?
Teach 'em a little somethin
[Havoc]
Pick you up, off your feet like a forklift, but instead it's the four-fifth
Ragu red, your brain leakin them sauces
Put a pep in that bop that you walk with
When my tec spittin at reinforcements
I could never be a victim, but the streets I endorsed it
Spittin that real, y'all cowards just cough it
Like fluids in my lungs, motherfucker I'm more sick
You turn them hoes off, I put 'em on so they on this
You talk game grammar school, mines metamorphic
Dem fools ain't killin nuttin in the club, they all bent
My intent is to sober that ass up, leave 'em all drenched
See what a few cups of liquor can offset
Got a little paper, I ain't stressin, they all press
Ain't sellin records, they come at me for more press
When they realize it's real them dudes out coppin more vests
Better learn how to
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
Wipe, them guns off, get that money money
Wipe, a nigga smile, off ain't nuttin funny
Show, you motherfuckers, just how hungry you
get, when your feet are touchin (kid a nigga hungry / yeah, he one of ours) *
[* changes each repeat]
[Prodigy]
P gunna, shots stay a come up
out them hammers at light speed, make it a hot summer
in New York, New York - a.k.a. Ground Zero
The Big Apple, with the worms in the middle (eww)
The White Castle, the Empire State
The home of that Time Magazine new face
Metropolis of the world, I'll show you where I come from
by how the cash stack, and how I make a gun bust
But look past that, and listen how a killer be
Imagine the concert, they dancin on they seats
Shorty mad gettin stained, she damn near about to faint
She never saw a grimy dirty nigga like, P
With mad diamonds in his chain, she tryin hard not to blink
Don't wanna miss a thing, the song that we sing
Mad diamonds in his chain, she tryin hard not to blink
Don't wanna miss a thing, the song that we sing
BANG!
[Chorus]
[Jadakiss]
My niggaz they can't stop us
Ev'rysince we got our hands on the AR's, the S, and the fresh choppers
All of them is filled to the top with the vest poppers
We can get it on with America's Best Coppers
Soon as the lead pop you, whoever don't make it
to the funeral or wake can catch you on Ted Koppel
I'm a rare thumper, you just a gay nigga
with a rainbow sticker on your rear bumper
They say life is short, death is longer
That makes it even harder to express my hunger
And I don't wanna polly y'all, I'm a zone of my own
Sorta like Tom Hanks talkin to that volleyball
A "Cast Away," I'll blast away
Fuck if you broke tomorrow, get cash today
And even though it's hard, niggaz is on they job
It's the Ryders and the Mobb, before my niggaz starve we'll
[Chorus]
The song One of Ours Part 2 by Mobb Deep is about their experience as street hustlers and the violent nature of their lifestyle. The lyrics express a need for survival in a world of poverty and crime. The first verse by Havoc describes his ability to easily pick up a gun and take out his enemies without feeling any remorse. He emphasizes that he is from the streets and that he endorses street violence. The chorus, repeated twice, encourages his listeners to wipe off their guns and get money in a time when everyone is out to get something. The second verse by Prodigy is a continuation of the first verse where he describes the violence that he has witnessed and how he has become numb to it. He emphasizes the importance of being tough in the streets and how he has come to realize that life is short and death is inevitable. The third verse by Jadakiss explores the harsh reality of street violence where the use of guns is rampant and the police are unable to stop it. He emphasizes that life is a struggle and that everyone must work hard to survive.
The song One of Ours Part 2 was released in 2005 as part of Mobb Deep's seventh studio album, Blood Money. It was produced by Havoc, who is part of the Mobb Deep duo. The song heavily samples the 1971 song, "Super Fly" by Curtis Mayfield. The song features guest appearances from rappers Jadakiss and Bounty Killer. The song was released as a single and was accompanied by a music video. The video features the three rappers performing the song on the top of a building in New York City.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick you up, off your feet like a forklift, but instead it's the four-fifth
I will shoot you with my gun and it will knock you off your feet like a forklift.
Ragu red, your brain leakin them sauces
Your head will be bleeding a lot, like a bloody pasta sauce.
Like an, autopsy leavin 'em nauseous, when I aim at your bosses
When I shoot your bosses, it will be like they had an autopsy and it will make everyone sick to their stomachs.
Put a pep in that bop that you walk with
I will shake you up and make you walk differently.
When my tec spittin at reinforcements
When I shoot at backup, it will be like my gun is speaking for me.
I could never be a victim, but the streets I endorsed it
I will never be a victim, but I condone violence in the streets.
Spittin that real, y'all cowards just cough it
I am speaking the truth, but others are afraid to do the same.
Like fluids in my lungs, motherfucker I'm more sick
I am more dangerous than you can imagine, like being sick with fluids in one's lungs.
You turn them hoes off, I put 'em on so they on this
You repel women, but I attract them and they are interested in me.
You talk game grammar school, mines metamorphic
You have basic skills, but my skills are advanced and transformative.
Dem fools ain't killin nuttin in the club, they all bent
Those guys aren't violent, they're just drunk and acting like idiots in the club.
My intent is to sober that ass up, leave 'em all drenched
I will shoot them to sober them up, and they will be drenched in their own blood.
See what a few cups of liquor can offset
Drinking alcohol can make people do things they wouldn't normally do.
Got a little paper, I ain't stressin, they all press
I have some money, so I'm not worried, but everyone else is jealous.
Ain't sellin records, they come at me for more press
My music isn't selling, but people still come to me for attention in the media.
When they realize it's real them dudes out coppin more vests
When people realize my threats are real, they start buying more bulletproof vests for protection.
P gunna, shots stay a come up
My gun is always ready and the bullets keep coming out of it.
out them hammers at light speed, make it a hot summer
My gun fires so fast, it will make the summer hot with the heat from the bullets.
in New York, New York - a.k.a. Ground Zero
I am in New York City, also known as Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.
The Big Apple, with the worms in the middle (eww)
New York City is a big city, but it has some bad, dirty parts.
The White Castle, the Empire State
New York City has famous landmarks like White Castle and the Empire State Building.
The home of that Time Magazine new face
New York City is where many famous and important people are featured on the cover of Time Magazine.
Metropolis of the world, I'll show you where I come from
New York City is a city that dominates the world, and I will show you what it's like where I come from.
by how the cash stack, and how I make a gun bust
You can tell where I'm from by how much money I have and how often I use my gun.
But look past that, and listen how a killer be
Despite my money and weapons, if you look past that you'll see that I am a violent killer.
Imagine the concert, they dancin on they seats
Imagine being at a concert where everyone is dancing in their seats.
Shorty mad gettin stained, she damn near about to faint
The girl beside me is excited and maybe even a little overwhelmed.
She never saw a grimy dirty nigga like, P
She's never seen someone as rough-looking as me before.
With mad diamonds in his chain, she tryin hard not to blink
I have lots of diamonds in my necklace and she is trying not to be distracted by them.
Don't wanna miss a thing, the song that we sing
She doesn't want to miss out on anything, especially not the music we're making.
My niggaz they can't stop us
My friends and I are unstoppable.
Ev'rysince we got our hands on the AR's, the S, and the fresh choppers
Ever since we got our hands on our weapons, including assault rifles and helicopters, we feel unbeatable.
All of them is filled to the top with the vest poppers
All of our weapons are loaded with bullets that will penetrate through bulletproof vests.
We can get it on with America's Best Coppers
We are not afraid to fight against the best of America's police officers.
Soon as the lead pop you, whoever don't make it
As soon as we start shooting, some people won't survive.
to the funeral or wake can catch you on Ted Koppel
The news will cover our violent actions and people will see the aftermath on TV.
I'm a rare thumper, you just a gay nigga
I am unique and powerful, while you are weak and unmanly.
with a rainbow sticker on your rear bumper
You are so weak, you have a rainbow sticker on your car for everyone to see.
They say life is short, death is longer
People say that life goes by quickly, but death lasts much longer.
That makes it even harder to express my hunger
Because life is so fleeting, I feel an even stronger desire to succeed and be successful.
And I don't wanna polly y'all, I'm a zone of my own
I don't want to associate with anyone or have friends, because I'm content being alone.
Sorta like Tom Hanks talkin to that volleyball
Like Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away, I am so alone that I talk to inanimate objects like a volleyball.
A 'Cast Away,' I'll blast away
I'm like a castaway, but instead of talking to myself, I'll shoot people.
Fuck if you broke tomorrow, get cash today
Don't worry about your future finances, just focus on making money right now.
And even though it's hard, niggaz is on they job
Even though it's difficult, my friends and I are working hard to achieve our goals.
It's the Ryders and the Mobb, before my niggaz starve we'll
My group and I will do whatever it takes to survive and succeed, even if it means resorting to violence.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the lines 'Wipe, them guns off, get that money money / Wipe, a nigga smile, off ain't nuttin funny / Show, you motherfuckers, just how hungry you / get, when your feet are touchin (kid a nigga hungry / yeah, he one of ours)' throughout the song.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TRE 99 ATLAS
Cross my heart, hope to die
To my lover, I'd never lie
He said "be true, " I swear I'll try
In the end, it's him and I
He's out his head, I'm out my mind
We got that love, the crazy kind
I am his, and he is mine
In the end, it's him and I, him and I
My '65 speeding up the PCH, a hell of a ride
They don't wanna see us make it, they just wanna divide
2017 Bonnie and Clyde
Wouldn't see the point of living on if one of us died, yeah
Got that kind of style everybody try to rip off
YSL dress under when she takes the mink off
Silk on her body, pull it down and watch it slip off
Ever catch me cheating, she would try to cut my (ha-ha-ha)
Crazy, but I love her, I could never run from her
Hit it, no rubber never would let no one touch her
Swear we drive each other, mad, she be so stubborn
But, what the fuck is love with no pain, no suffer
Intense, this shit, it gets dense
She knows when I'm out of it like she could just sense
If I had a million dollars or was down to ten cents
She'd be down for whatever, never gotta convince (you know?)
Cross my heart, hope to die
To my lover, I'd never lie (I love you baby)
He said "be true, " I swear I'll try
In the end, it's him and I
He's out his head, I'm out my mind
We got that love; the crazy kind
I am his, and he is mine
In the end, it's him and I
Him and I
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the end, it's him and I
Him and I
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the end, it's him and I
It's her and I, mobbin' 'til the end of time
Only one who gets me, I'm a crazy fuckin' Gemini
Remember this for when I die
Everybody dressed in all black, suits and a tie
My funeral will be lit if I-
Ever go down or get caught, or they identify
My bitch was the most solid, nothing to solidify
She would never cheat, you'd never see her with a different guy
Ever tell you different, then it's a lie
See, that's my down bitch, see that's my soldier
She keeps that thang-thang if anyone goes there
Calm and collected, she keeps her composure
And she gon' ride for me until this thing over
We do drugs together (together), fuck up clubs together (together)
And we'd both go crazy (crazy) if we was to sever
You know? We keep mobbin', it's just me and my bitch
Fuck the world, we just gon' keep getting rich, you know?
Cross my heart, hope to die
To my lover, I'd never lie
He said "be true, " I swear I'll try
In the end, it's him and I
He's out his head, I'm out my mind
We got that love; the crazy kind
I am his, and he is mine
In the end, it's him and I
Him and I
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the end, it's him and I
Him and I
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the end, it's him and I
Cross my heart, hope to die
To you, I've never lied
For you, I'd take a life
It's him and I, and I swear (ayy)
'Til the end I'ma ride wit' you
Mob and get money, get high wit' you, yeah (ayy)
Cross my heart, hope to die
This is our ride or die
You can confide in me
There is no hiding, I swear
Stay solid, never lie to you
Swear, most likely I'ma die wit' you, yeah
Cross my heart, hope to die
To my lover, I'd never lie
He said "be true, " I swear I'll try
In the end, it's him and I
He's out his head, I'm out my mind
We got that love, the crazy kind
I am his, and he is mine
In the end, it's him and I
Him and I
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the end, it's him and I
Him and I
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the end, it's him and I
Steve Henry
Bought this album the year i graduated high school when it came out in 04'. Still one of my top 5 favorite Jadakiss verses and Havoc verses in many albums!!
Orr971
The beat is fucking crazy.
BeachJay757
Alchemist
DN
@BeachJay757 no, Havoc
BeachJay757
@DN Alchemist Made the beat
DN
@BeachJay757 not this one, others on he album yeah but not this. Doesn't even sound like alchemist. en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Amerikaz_Nightmare
Adam Gordon
@BeachJay757 : Havoc definitely done this beat π―
Tyshawn
Possibly the hardest verse i've ever heard jada spit in my life.
Black Ice
They all killed it!
Bazzlefield
jada always kills it