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 down
Mobb Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gut you up, hit you up, touch you up
Bust you up, fuck you up
La dada di, yeah do
A million rip riders all draped in blue
Now follow my lead, all ya'll fall on your knees
Hands up to the sky with your head down low
Hoping and wishing I'm missin' with the chrome fo fo
Oh nooo, here comes the bad guy
I spit the truth like your rabbi
Ain't no witnesses the way that I been flippin' this
Now what's infinite is I'm magnificent
And I mob deep everywhere that I been
Shouts out to my homies in the motherfuckin' pen
Yeah, still off the juice and gin
Twenty years later cousin and I'm at it again
Off top, guns pop, infamous Mobb Deep
We get down baby, we get down
Off top, panties drop, honies want to roll with me
It's going down baby, it's going down
Off top, guns pop, infamous Mobb Deep
We get down baby, we get down
Off top, panties drop, honies want to roll with me
It's going down baby, it's going down
Yeah, I hear a lot of noise in the background
So who I got to attack now
I'm more wilder than this rap crowd
Talking out your ass, leave you assed out
I'm mob all day nigga
Front on my niggas, I let it spray nigga
Hammer on my waist know that way bigger
Hit you anoerexic like I'm way thicker
Stay in your lane son
That wasn't you from day one
Out wildin' the drug money we cake from
Out wildin' profilin' it ain't nothin'
Long story short niggas know what it is
And what it ain't, put the hammer to your ribs
And there ain't nothin' bout us glitzy
'Til the wheels fall of or the feds come and get me
New York nigga, hoodie rap, never say weak shit
On my worst day I get off, nigga I eat this
Best niggas in rap that Mobb Deep shit
Spit a vicious verse, you bite you be teethless
I live a vicious life, trife and real devious
I leave you outside buck naked like a hedonist
I insist, make a move flinch
Please nigga I am dying to use this
New toy I bought fresh out the plaster
Revenge fucker like I'm fresh out the bandage
Back from the dead, thought it was a wrap huh?
May lead caps hit your head like a Mac truck
I am too good
They labeled me a legend and I'm right where I should
I'm right where I'm supposed to, lampin' holding my dick
My feet up talking on the phone with my bitch
Another hundred thou', do the mathematics
Another man down, killing these rappers
Do the mathematics
Another man down, killing these rappers
The lyrics of Mobb Deep Feat. Lloyd Banks's song Get Down depict a powerful and almost invincible persona; the bad guy with a gun who can cut and gut with ease. He commands everyone to fall on their knees and surrender, with their heads down and hands up. The singer of the song seems to be the leader of a gang of “rip riders” all draped in blue. The lyrics suggest that he has been “flipping” for a long time, which could indicate that he's good at what he does or that he's been through a lot in life. The lyrics give the impression that the singer is violent and fearless, with no regard for human life.
The song speaks to themes of violence, power, and dominance. The singer exerts his power through violence, and the lyrics suggest he is willing to kill to maintain his status quo. The way he talks about taking out his enemies suggests that he enjoys the violence and bloodshed that comes with it. The song portrays the bad guy as someone not to be messed with or underestimated.
In conclusion, Mobb Deep Feat. Lloyd Banks's song Get Down celebrates violence and power. The lyrics create an image of a powerful, almost invincible protagonist who instills fear in his enemies. The song delves into the violent world of gang culture and speaks to the themes of domination, power, and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
I get you up, stick you up, cut you up
I will rob, hold up, and harm you
Gut you up, hit you up, touch you up
I will hurt you severely, physically attack you or deal with you in some way, such as robbing you or cheating you
Bust you up, fuck you up
I will severely hurt you, either physically or financially
La dada di, yeah do
Nonsense words indicating no real meaning or action being taken, just a phrase to add to the flow of the song
A million rip riders all draped in blue
Many people who claim to be gangsters or represent a gang, all wearing blue clothing
Now follow my lead, all ya'll fall on your knees
I am the leader, and everyone else follows me without question
Hands up to the sky with your head down low
Be submissive and accept your fate
Hoping and wishing I'm missin' with the chrome fo fo
I am hoping and wishing that I am not attacked with a .44 caliber gun
Praying for my enemies 'cause them not know
I hope my enemies don't find me and harm me because I am afraid of them
Oh nooo, here comes the bad guy
I am the villain in this scenario
I spit the truth like your rabbi
I am honest and genuine when I speak, like a religious leader
Ain't no witnesses the way that I been flippin' this
I have been committing crimes without being seen or caught
Now what's infinite is I'm magnificent
My greatness is infinite and undeniable
And I mob deep everywhere that I been
I have gained respect and recognition from people everywhere I go because of my gangster lifestyle
Shouts out to my homies in the motherfuckin' pen
Greetings and support to my friends who are currently in prison
Yeah, still off the juice and gin
I am still living a wild and reckless lifestyle
Twenty years later cousin and I'm at it again
Even after two decades, I am still up to my same old ways
Off top, guns pop, infamous Mobb Deep
We are notorious for gun violence and being part of a gang, and that is evident from the beginning
We get down baby, we get down
We are not afraid to take action and be violent when necessary
Off top, panties drop, honies want to roll with me
Women are attracted to me and want to be associated with my gangster lifestyle
It's going down baby, it's going down
Violence and actions are about to happen
Yeah, I hear a lot of noise in the background
I can sense trouble coming
So who I got to attack now
Who do I need to hurt or confront now?
I'm more wilder than this rap crowd
I am more dangerous and violent than the people around me
Talking out your ass, leave you assed out
If you talk too much, I will harm or kill you
I'm mob all day nigga
I am part of a violent gang and that is my identity above all else
Front on my niggas, I let it spray nigga
If you disrespect me or my gang, I will use violence against you
Hammer on my waist know that way bigger
I am carrying a large, powerful gun on my person
Hit you anoerexic like I'm way thicker
I will strike you with such force that it will leave you emaciated or weakened
Stay in your lane son
Mind your own business and stay out of my way
That wasn't you from day one
You weren't really a part of our gang from the beginning
Out wildin' the drug money we cake from
We are engaged in reckless behavior to try and make money from illegal drug use
Out wildin' profilin' it ain't nothin'
We are constantly in danger due to our dangerous and illegal activities, but we don't care
Long story short niggas know what it is
People know what life is like for me and my gang and what we are capable of
And what it ain't, put the hammer to your ribs
If you don't understand or agree with me, I will use violence to get my point across
And there ain't nothin' bout us glitzy
We don't have a glamorous or luxurious lifestyle, but we do have power and respect from others
'Til the wheels fall of or the feds come and get me
I will never stop living this gangster lifestyle until either something drastic happens to us or the authorities catch us
New York nigga, hoodie rap, never say weak shit
I represent New York and gangster culture through my music, and I will never express vulnerability
On my worst day I get off, nigga I eat this
Even when something difficult may happen, I am still able to handle it with ease and come out victorious
Best niggas in rap that Mobb Deep shit
We are the best rappers associated with the gangster lifestyle and our group Mobb Deep
Spit a vicious verse, you bite you be teethless
My lyrics are so powerful and aggressive that if you try to come at me, you will be left without a response
I live a vicious life, trife and real devious
My lifestyle is brutal, unethical, and marked with many troubling qualities
I leave you outside buck naked like a hedonist
I will take everything from you, including your dignity and material belongings
I insist, make a move flinch
I dare you to make a move, and I will make sure you suffer the consequences
Please nigga I am dying to use this
I am ready and willing to use my weapon, and I am looking for an excuse to do so
New toy I bought fresh out the plaster
I have obtained a new gun and it is still in mint condition
Revenge fucker like I'm fresh out the bandage
I am seeking revenge on someone who has wronged me or my gang, and I am ready to take action
Back from the dead, thought it was a wrap huh?
I have come back from a situation where it seemed like it was all over for me, and I have surprised others by doing so
May lead caps hit your head like a Mac truck
I will shoot you so hard and so many times that it will feel like you were hit by a freight train
I am too good
I am too skilled and knowledgeable in my gangster lifestyle
They labeled me a legend and I'm right where I should
Others recognize me as a legend in this dangerous lifestyle, and I am exactly where I should be
I'm right where I'm supposed to, lampin' holding my dick
I am right where I am meant to be, lounging and feeling confident and in control
My feet up talking on the phone with my bitch
I am comfortable and talking to my girlfriend on the phone while others fear me
Another hundred thou', do the mathematics
I have gained another large sum of money that others may not be able to handle
Another man down, killing these rappers
I have defeated or killed another rapper who tried to cross me or my gang
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONALD BELL, CLAYDES SMITH, ROBERT MICKENS, DONALD BOYCE, RICHARD WESTFIELD, DENNIS THOMAS, ROBERT BELL, GEORGE BROWN, III, JAMES HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS, JR., FRANK L. MCAFREE, SALEEM COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T Money
Another classic 🔥
Papi Chulo
It sucks that the last Mobb Deep album is removed from Tidal and spotify aswell as the Black Cocaine EP the album is fire. Glad to see mobb and snoop squash the east/westcoast shit before P died
Q Smooth
Papi Chulo Yeah but it’s a shame that they didn’t Not Squash the beef with 2Pac before he died that would’ve been amazing they would’ve ended up working together to before Him and Prodigy passed away
Bigmark
Mobb deep already did a song with snoop that was better than this like 20 years ago 🤣🤣🤣 its called thou shall not kill ..
Bigmark
@Q Smooth pac and big was illuminati
Please
Why did it get removed
SpeaKOn It
snoop on a havoc beat dope!!
Bigmark
Look up thou shall not kill that was the first joint with snoop 20 years ago
Bench Warmerss
Still fire 🔥
ricky Pinnock
I lud dis tune coz it's got dat fresh sounding vibe.....💥🔥🧨