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.
So long
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why the fuck did your your ass have to go and get knocked
now you got me on the phone, straight talkin' to the cops
tryin' to verify your government
they got you now, they lovin' it,
they wanna hang that ass, couldn't get you in the past
though I can't see your problem
you was still young at the time
never told you to slow down
resee your crown heights, you wild
all I could say was be careful
give you a dap to bounce
shit that you went through
watched the drama amount
gave a fuck long, you wasn't part of the body count
now I feel guilty, half the blame of your incarceration
till the interveine, when you first started catching cases
fuck to this, dunn, now you in there
gotta hold it down, you mother's only son
and I'ma ride for you, baby, 'cause a lot of it is still love
I'm still there, when you get home, I'ma be there
[Chorus: Havoc (4x)]
You gotta (hold on)
No matter (how long)
And it seems (so long)
[Verse Two: Prodigy]
I can't believe they got my dunn, it feel like my fault
'cause I fronted you that money to get that dough
any man's ain't accountable for they action
still and all I feel responsible for you being gone
I hit the mall 'till it happened, k.a. now & then
just so, you can live and keep your little cosmetics
in that five years, it was a little dough we made
out of sight, out of mind, naw dog
it's not me, I miss you
you on my mind daily
even though I scribe to a nigga, really, you feel me
trying to get my shit together
so you could be proud, when you touch down
we got businesses to run now
peep it back how we used to run up in a nigga's house
on some pety crime shit, boy we was not playin'
on occassion, I still check ya, brotha 'tll the end
Black, and bone crazy ass
reading ya letters, I see you ain't losin' ya sense of humour
talkin' to you on the phone made my day cooler
tellin' me, how you'll deaf, to see your nose out
you need to bring your black ass home
and cut that bullshit out
I could remember me and killa would test our new guns in the projects
'cause that's where police won't come, iller g
my nigga 'till death do us
you almost home, until then
hold ya head, dunn
[Chorus: Havoc (4x)]
You gotta (hold on)
No matter (how long)
And it seems (so long)
The lyrics of Mobb Deep's song "There I Go Again / So Long" explore the theme of violence, retaliation, and survival in the context of the street life. The rappers use strong language and vivid imagery to describe their experiences living in a world where danger lurks around every corner. They describe how they have to be on guard at all times, ready to defend themselves with deadly force if necessary. The repetition of the phrase "kill or be killed" emphasizes the idea that survival requires a willingness to go to extreme lengths to protect oneself.
The song also touches on the issue of pride and how it can lead to destructive behavior. The lines "We've got to learn to swallow our pride / It's hard just to let things ride / Maybe one day things will change" suggest that the rappers recognize the importance of avoiding unnecessary conflicts, but they also acknowledge that it's difficult to do so in their environment. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "let me show you something," which can be interpreted as a call to action, an invitation to the listener to learn from the rappers' experiences and to take steps to improve their own lives.
Overall, the lyrics of "There I Go Again / So Long" convey a sense of danger, tension, and the need for constant vigilance in the world of the streets. The rappers use their words to paint a vivid picture of what it's like to live in this environment, and they offer insights into how to survive and thrive in spite of the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, know what I'm sayin'?
Acknowledging that the listener understands what is being said
Straight burn biscuits, baby
Doing things in a raw and uncut manner, without any sugarcoating
Yeah, give it to 'em raw, uncut
Reiterating the need to deliver the message without any filter or censorship
Turn them headphones up
Encouraging the listener to pay close attention to the lyrics and music
No doubt son, no problem
Assuring the listener that there are no issues or obstacles in the way
Creepin' it though, baby
Proceeding with caution and care, as the streets are dangerous
It's gangsta, the truth gonna come to the level
Acknowledging the reality of life in the streets and the inevitability of consequences
Yo, as this blood flow through my veins
Reflecting on the adrenaline rush that comes with being a gangster
I stand before this mic with a stepped up game
Approaching the microphone with more skill and confidence than before
Some things, when I look, how they never gonna change
Resigning to the fact that some problems in society cannot be solved easily
It ain't a thing, niggas wild, then I'm cockin' that thing
Unpacking the idea that retaliation is a necessary part of street life
'Cuz you know with every action there's a reaction
Explaining the philosophy of cause and effect in the streets
And there's no known cure when I'm sick with the clappin'
Admitting that engaging in violence is addictive and hard to quit
How many times it have to happen, niggas talkin' like they generals
Being tired of people talking tough when they are not actually in charge or influential
They just mere captains
Revealing that those who talk tough are actually minor players in the streets
The streets there's rules, slugs hit 'em with infractions
Making it clear that breaking the unwritten rules of the streets leads to violent consequences
And then there's Hollywood, if you want some fuckin' acting
Pointing out the contrast between the tough reality of the streets and the fake glamour of Hollywood
You got these niggas out mis-representin' they hood
Being frustrated with people who pretend to be from a certain neighborhood or gang for personal gain
Give 'em heart now they icin', I'm like nigga what's good?
Questioning why people act brave until the moment of truth when they back down
'Cuz you know how I get with these macks and these techs
Reminding people of their reputation for using guns and violence in the streets
Blaze 'em down gives a fuck about the next nigga rep
Being willing to use violence regardless of the other person's reputation or status
Play around find yourself getting' cheated by death
Warning people that messing around with them could lead to fatal consequences
Man gone and believe me dog it happened to the best
Recounting how even the strongest and toughest people in the streets can fall victim to violence
You know a nigga, I be tryin' to chill
Admitting that they try to stay out of trouble and avoid violence
But now then I'ma hafta run these niggas a drill
Acknowledging that sometimes violence is necessary to protect oneself or one's reputation
(No doubt)
Affirming the truth and accuracy of what was just said
There comes a time in every nigga life
Admitting that everyone eventually faces a difficult situation in their life
When he's face to face with that ole', kill or be killed
Being confronted with a life or death situation where violence is the only option
And here I go again, grabbin' my steel
Preparing to use their gun to protect themselves or their reputation
(Run 'em)
Encouraging others to confront their problems head-on
Ay, yo, don't make me have to body something
Warning others not to provoke them into committing violence
Fuck you and what you known for, to me you're nothin'
Disrespecting others and diminishing their reputation in the streets
I don't see why in the world to me you frontin'?
Asking why someone would try to act tough or confrontational with them
And if you was that nigga then you still mean nothing
Stating that even if someone was powerful or influential, they still wouldn't matter to them
Homes, my gun is bustin'
Bringing attention to their gun and willingness to use it
(What?)
Requesting a response or acknowledgement from the listener
Fuck all y'all niggas my stomach is touchin'
Expressing anger and desperation due to a lack of money or food
And I be right there on Murdle Ave, come through
Revealing their location and daring others to confront them
You bitch ass niggas wouldn't know what to do
Belittling others and questioning their ability to stand up to them
I get bullet proof love, pounds and hugs
Receiving respect and support from their crew and those who fear them
You get extorted by the thugs that grew up in your hood
Mocking others for being taken advantage of by people in their own neighborhood
You get killed fuckin' with P, you really should
Warning others that they could face fatal consequences if they mess with them
Not do that, I use that, lugar good, catch a bad one
Threatening to use their gun, which is reliable and accurate, to harm others
Ran Dunn raggity, you got fucked up and left for dead in the street
Referencing a specific person who was killed by them and left as an example to others
Yo, who wants it with Hav? Who want it with P?
Challenging others to confront them and experience their violence
Not near one of y'all and I put that on me
Asserting that there is nobody who can stand up to them or match their skills
But if [unverified]
Acknowledging that there may be someone out there who is a true challenge for them
Yo, believe me dog there's more than
Admitting that they are not invincible and that others could potentially harm them
Cockin' and squeezin' and afterward
Describing the process of using a gun and the aftermath of violence
That nigga still be breathin'
Pointing out that despite their violence, others may still survive and seek revenge
And who gonna snitch if you lucky to leave it then?
Questioning who would report them to the police if they commit violence and get away with it
For a reward nigga just might turn you in
Suggesting that someone might snitch on them for a monetary reward or personal gain
I take it further and I might just murder him
Threatening to go further and commit murder to prevent being snitched on
That mouthpiece all together, I'm curbin' him
Stopping someone from talking or spreading rumors about them by using violence
It's very clear and there's nothin' to blur my lens
Stating that their actions are justifiable and clear, without any confusion or distortion
It's very real, ain't got no time to pretend
Being truthful and straightforward about their intentions and actions
Yo, feelin' it thugs, I dump a magazine on you Dunn
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for being a gangster and threatening others with their gun
I'll run up on you niggas with the master glove
Approaching others with precision and accuracy, like a boxer with a glove
Dunn, there's nothin' for me to snap and get on tilt
Claiming that nothing can upset or anger them to the point of losing control
I know it's nothin' for you, the pain to have me killed
Warning others that even if they harm them, their legacy and reputation would continue to live on
I respect the laws of war and love, I live by them shits
Having principles and rules that they follow, even in the midst of violence and chaos
Y'all niggas not ready for this
Asserting that others are not prepared to confront them or deal with their level of violence
You not knowin' how you about to get your head crushed
Warning others that they will be severely harmed or killed if they mess with them
Spray it Dunn, straight out, shit it when them guns come out
Encouraging others to use their guns without hesitation or fear
We've got to learn to swallow our pride
Acknowledging the importance of humility and avoiding unnecessary conflicts
It's hard just to let things ride
Admitting that it is difficult to avoid confrontation and let things go
Maybe one day things will change
Expressing hope for a better future where violence is not necessary
As of right now, let me show you something
Indicating that for the moment, they must demonstrate their strength and violence to others
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KRAIG JARETT JOHNSON, KIRK JUSTIN JOHNSON, TERRENCE JAMES FISHER, DANIEL MORGAN DAVIS, KYLE JAY JOHNSON
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