1) rapper from Mobb Deep
2) group fronted by Todd Duane and Lale Larsen
3) 90s teenage rapper
4) 70s powerpop from Minnesota
5) US progressive/power metal
6) lounge jazz, alias of Miki Litvak
7) 90s US metal
8) US rapper in The Dominion
1) Albert Johnson (born November 2, 1974 in Bradford, Brooklyn, New York and died on June 20, 2017 in Las Vegas), better known by his stage name Prodigy, was a member of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep. Prodigy worked as a solo artist since the early 2000s. He was born to parents of Ethiopian and Jamaican descent. Prodigy was born with sickle cell anemia and suffered from the disease throughout his life. Propelled to awareness partially by fellow Queens, New York rapper Nas, who took a similar approach lyrically on his championed "Illmatic" album from 1994, as well as with the aid of a successful single, "Shook Ones Pt. 2," Mobb Deep suddenly found themselves developing a quickly growing cult. A year later, in 1996, Prodigy and Havoc released "Hell on Earth"; debuting at number six on SoundScan, the album found them fully realizing their approach, dropping both evocative beats and cinematic rhymes that communicated the dark side of New York's urban landscape. Thanks to a grim video for "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" and theatrical Scarface-like photos inside the CD booklet picturing the duo with guns and a mound of cocaine, Mobb Deep had created an elaborate image for themselves that took hardcore gangsta rap to a new level for East Coast hip hop. Their next release, "Murda Muzik", was heavily bootlegged while still in its demo stage, leaking rough versions of the nearly 30 songs the duo had recorded onto the streets and over the internet.
Months after the bootlegs leaked and after several pushed-back street dates, "Murda Muzik" was formally released, debuting at number three on the Billboard charts and quickly going platinum on the strength of "Quiet Storm," a song that epitomized the Mobb Deep style. The album was welcomed by critics, who again lauded the group's lucid cinematics, driven primarily by Havoc's production. In late 2000, Prodigy finally released his long-rumoured solo album, "H.N.I.C.", which saw the more lyrically gifted member of the group collaborating with outside producers such as The Alchemist and Rockwilder on tracks that didn't depart far from the trademark sullen Mobb Deep style. Their follow-up, "Infamy", was the duo’s last album for Loud, distributed by Columbia Records and was, for some, a disappointment lyrically and musically, while others praised it as amongst the best rap albums of the year. Loud was absorbed by its new distributor shortly afterwards.
Mobb Deep then signed with Jive, under a unique deal that gave the duo its own imprint, Infamous Records, and released "Amerika'z Nightmare", a very uneven effort, which featured production by The Alchemist and Lil' Jon. However, despite a successful single that featured a Thomas Dolby sample. The duo was not happy with Jive, and were let go at its request. The duo took a hiatus afterwards and came back in 2006, signing to 50 Cent’s Interscope/Universal-distributed G-Unit imprint. Their well-hyped "Blood Money" was a failure from the money side when compared to fellow label mates like 50 Cent, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks. Some accused the duo of selling out, with their beats and rhymes not up-to-par with previous efforts on Loud.
He completed work on his third solo album "H.N.I.C. Part 2", which was previewed on his official mixtape "The Return of the Mac" on the independent label Koch Records. The mixtape single and mixtape video are called "Mac 10 Handle," and it shows Prodigy once again reverting to his trademark braids that he had prior to the release of Mobb Deep's 2004 "Amerika'z Nightmare" album; different from the short fade he had from 2004 to 2006. "H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 was released through Voxonic Inc., of which Prodigy is an equity holder.
www.hnic2.com/
Bang on 'Em
Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang
Ayo, my hood broke my heart into pieces
Dunn the streets took my dreams and shattered them
And turn me into a preacher
Minds to money got me not givin' a fuck
All I care about is muzik and who I gotta cut
With the Mac, uzi, .47, pick a weapon
Six million ways to die, my .25 endin'
When I pop him in the gut, I drop him where they stunt
I try keepin' it peace but that shit's for chumps
Projects fucked me up, made me strong as ox
Made the nigga cold blooded, ain't no friends on the block
This the comrades and coldies, the crooked ass police
Playin' cracks in the pocket send you up in creek
Look don't ask me why Queensbridge can't stick together
If you don't know the answer then you don't know the ghetto
Everybody don't get along and that's what it is
We either shootin' when we shoot them niggaz or we gon' get hit
Bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang
Ayo, my own niggaz turned on me, B.I.G wasn't lyin'
When he said, the ones who smoke blunts with you be conversant
They was plottin' on my demise, they wanted my seed
At the head of the table but I'm permanently chief
I don't care how many bodies you got on your gun
You either submit or go and start your own gang son
Everybody wants to be boss, it ain't enough soldiers
Everybody wants to call shots, it ain't enough shooter
And it really hurts my soul that we can't click
But whatever it'll never be the same again
And when I see you niggaz, you already know what it is
And if you don't, you gon' find out the hard way kid
Tried to make it work, but now I'm on some other shit
I'm greedy with that limelight now you ain't gettin' none of it
Bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
I'ma bang
The lyrics to Prodigy (Mobb Deep)'s song Bang On 'Em is a representation of his life living in the streets of Queensbridge. The opening lines of the song "Here we go, you know what it is, click-clack, Bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em" is a call to arms, a warning to his enemies that he is armed and ready to take them down. The chorus "I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em, Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em" reiterates this, emphasizing that he will not hesitate to use violence to protect himself and his crew.
The second verse of the song talks about the betrayal he experienced from his own people, how they turned on him and tried to take him down. He acknowledges that the streets made him strong and cold-blooded, and that there are no friends on the block. The chorus "Bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em" is repeated, emphasizing that he will always be ready to take down anyone who comes against him.
Overall, Prodigy's lyrics in Bang On 'Em are a stark depiction of life in the streets, the violence, the betrayal, and the need to always be ready to defend oneself. It's a sobering reminder that life in the ghetto is not easy, and the people who live there often have to deal with unimaginable hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go, you know what it is, click-clack
I'm ready for action with my weapon
Bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
Shoot at them with guns
Drop a nigga frontin', get 'em if I want 'em
Eliminate anyone who disrespects or opposes me
I'ma bang on 'em, pop them thangs on 'em
I will use force and weapons to protect myself
Ayo, my hood broke my heart into pieces
Growing up in my neighborhood has left me emotionally wounded
Dunn the streets took my dreams and shattered them
Living in the streets destroyed the aspirations I once had
And turn me into a preacher
Now all I'm concerned about is making music and using it to preach my message
Minds to money got me not givin' a fuck
I prioritize making money over all else, and don't care about consequences
All I care about is muzik and who I gotta cut
My music is my main priority, but I am willing to harm my enemies to protect that priority
With the Mac, uzi, .47, pick a weapon
I have an arsenal of weapons and am ready to use any of them
Six million ways to die, my .25 endin'
There are many possible ways for a person to meet their demise, and my weapon of choice is a .25 caliber gun
When I pop him in the gut, I drop him where they stunt
If I shoot, I aim for their stomach and they won't be able to continue their criminal activity
I try keepin' it peace but that shit's for chumps
I will defend myself if attacked, and won't bother trying to make peace with anyone
Projects fucked me up, made me strong as ox
Growing up in the projects has made me a strong and resilient person
Made the nigga cold blooded, ain't no friends on the block
My experiences have made me uncaring and distrusting, there are no true friends in the streets
This the comrades and coldies, the crooked ass police
The people in my hood are my only true allies but even they can be untrustworthy, and the police are corrupt
Playin' cracks in the pocket send you up in creek
Getting caught with drugs can lead to serious consequences
Look don't ask me why Queensbridge can't stick together
I don't know why people in this neighborhood can't unite and support each other
If you don't know the answer then you don't know the ghetto
The problems and struggles of the ghetto are complex and difficult to understand if you haven't gone through it
Everybody don't get along and that's what it is
Not everyone will be able to coexist peacefully, and that's just how it is
We either shootin' when we shoot them niggaz or we gon' get hit
When there is a conflict, we either fight back or become a target ourselves
Ayo, my own niggaz turned on me, B.I.G wasn't lyin'
Even my own friends have betrayed me, as noted in a Biggie Smalls song
They was plottin' on my demise, they wanted my seed
My former friends were planning to kill me and take over my power and influence
At the head of the table but I'm permanently chief
I may have lost friends and allies along the way, but I am still the leader and in control
I don't care how many bodies you got on your gun
I don't care how powerful or threatening you may seem
You either submit or go and start your own gang son
You can either join my gang or form your own, but either way I won't tolerate disrespect
Everybody wants to be boss, it ain't enough soldiers
Everyone wants to have power and control, but there are not enough people willing to do the dirty work
And it really hurts my soul that we can't click
It pains me that we can't come together as a community in this violent and turbulent environment
But whatever it'll never be the same again
Things have changed and we can never go back to the way it used to be
And when I see you niggaz, you already know what it is
If I see my enemies, they already know that I am ready and willing to fight
And if you don't, you gon' find out the hard way kid
If my enemies don't know what's coming, they will soon find out with violent consequences
Tried to make it work, but now I'm on some other shit
I have tried to make peace and unity happen, but now I have lost hope and have a new attitude
I'm greedy with that limelight now you ain't gettin' none of it
I am focused on my own success and won't share the spotlight with anyone else
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN MAMAN, ALBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FinallyRes
return of the mac is the most underrated album in the history of the hop hop. I love this album
wot i di
this song changed my view on rap music and what levels of creativity could be reached through it. rest in peace P
Steve T
Alchemist is one of the best beat makers of all time
Joshua 'CHUBBZ' Gardler
real talk. all his shit is top tier, next level while sticking to traditional hip-hop standards. live duke word
Danny Mac
he's the GOAT imo
Bench Warmerss
Indeed ..... I like how him and Scott storch came in and made their lanes ...
Adam Gordon
Steve T : Yessir 🔥🔥
john douglas
For certain. What a career he has had.
Larry Burks
Damn this beat is bananas. Been listening to this for years.
waynewilli49
Larry Burks shit got me freestylin dolo cypher cuz im trifer like a knife swipe that lef a nice size nike slice type swoosh on the side of ya mic ight