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/
Can't Complain
Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello... hello...
Yo what up, man!?!
Who the fuck is this?
Who the fuck it sound like, man?
What the fuck you calling so early for, man!?!
What the fuck time is it!?!
... shit, my bad son.
Please, man, come get me man, before I choke this bitch, man!
Hurry up son, man it's like 90 man, let's get some hoes or something.
What up, dun!?!
Same ol' shit.
No doubt, ain't nothing new... .
Let's take a little spin, dun, word up.
Yo... open my wings to a new day spread my lungs
Get laced, jump in the whip, stash the guns
Twist the key, shifted to D then flee
Before anything, get the daily dose of choke
We got the Benzo flooded with smoke on the float
My eye's burnin' from the dope killin' my throat
Lean my seat a taste, lumbar support
On the belt doin' 90 or more
debatin' on the latest rhyme wars
Where units don't count
But your rap pay add up to large amounts
Get my thrills puttin' other nigga's skills to sleep
Catch chills off'a infamous beats
Swing the trees doin' one-handed you'ees
Blowin' on the ouwee ?cause we can't have the medicine canoein'
There go the boys to the right, no days and nights like that
Ay yo dun, hold that down and turn it around
Dirty as fuck, thugs drugs and guns, d's and fatigues
T n T hopin' out of MPV's
Surprise all'a fuck out of me
Got rubber Glocks pointed at me
Ay yo twin, what the fuck... ..
[Twin]
They had us laid out on the ground holdin' us down
With gats to back of our heads was goin' down
?It wasn't us that held up that bitch you got.
Where's the proof, man!? Let me speak to my attorney.?
I know the routine, don't try to throw me
I been gettin' knocked since 12 and my moms tried to scold me
... but all that told me to get in more shit
ay yo P', (what up) you my co-d, we both get knocked
What you did with that half'a tree? (right in my sock.)
Yo, I hope these fuckin' dicks won't find the stash spot
Dun, you know how I get down!?!
Yo I'm ready to bounce
Do the 100 yard-dash and tear ass
If my other half was alive we woulda got killt
?'cause dun woulda went for the guns and got ill
Plus I gots cracks on me, they foundt the cracks on me
Looked at'em, gave'em back to me
I could swore they was takin' us in
Then the lady in the car said, ?..that's not them.?
Picked us up, told me I could keep the drugs
They didn't give a fuck, they was only lookin' for guns
An' you ain't gotta tell us twice
We hopped in the car and slid off
On our way up-town for more of that funk
P' lit the tree back up
Got off the Tri-burrough, hit the Henry Huds'
?Fuckit, let's slide through the Rutgers.?
Roll the windows down 'cause infamous mobb bumpers...
[Prodigy]
... Skip To My Lou had the crowd jumpin'
Took a walk through the park frontin'
Didn't even have to hurt nuttin'
Man I love it, ain't nothin' like summer in New York
Hear Infamous Thoughts, then the Dream Team music starts
Damn, we young black entrepreneurs
New York Pricks and Dicks can't stop our floss
We like organized crime, the fuckin' Mobb
I'm only twenty-six playin' wit' serious cards
Dead serious cash, luxurious labs
Learn to balance fame with pain, you CAN'T COMPLAIN
[Chinky sings X]
Jus' another day livin' in the hood...
Jus' another day around the way... .
Feelin' good today... oh no we can't complain
Jus' another day... livin' in New York... .
Dealin' with the jakes and the snakes... ..
Feelin' good today... .we hit'em up 'cause we here to stay...
The song "Can't Complain" by Prodigy of Mobb Deep begins with a phone call where one person is asking the other person to come and pick him up. The rest of the song talks about their day that includes smoking marijuana, driving in a Mercedes-Benz, contemplating on their strengths and weaknesses as rappers, and then finally getting pulled over by the police. The song portrays their nonchalant attitude towards the police and their willingness to risk getting into more trouble.
The lyrics of the song show the harsh reality of life in the hood and the struggles of young black entrepreneurs who are trying to make a living. The duo talks about how they can't complain despite living in a neighborhood that is plagued with crime and poverty. They choose to focus on the positives, such as the support they get from their community and the love they have for their city.
The chorus of the song, sung by Chinky, further emphasizes the concept of not complaining and feeling thankful for what they have. The song highlights the friendship and camaraderie between the two rappers and their struggle to survive in the harsh world.
Line by Line Meaning
{telephone ringing}
Phone rings
Hello... hello...
Person answers phone
Yo what up, man!?!
Person greets the caller
Who the fuck is this?
Person asks for caller's identity
Who the fuck it sound like, man?
Caller asks why the person doesn't recognize them
What the fuck you calling so early for, man!?!
Person complains about the early call
What the fuck time is it!?!
Person asks for the time
It's like 3 o'clock, man, thought you was coming to get me, man!?!
Caller apologizes and reminds person of previous plans
... shit, my bad son.
Caller apologizes again
Please, man, come get me man, before I choke this bitch, man!
Caller urgently asks person to come pick them up
Hurry up son, man it's like 90 man, let's get some hoes or something.
Caller pressures person to hurry up and go out with them
What up, dun!?!
Person greets their friend
Same ol' shit.
Friend responds negatively to the question
No doubt, ain't nothing new... .
Person agrees with their friend
Let's take a little spin, dun, word up.
Person suggests they go for a drive
Yo... open my wings to a new day spread my lungs
Person feels energetic and optimistic about the day
Get laced, jump in the whip, stash the guns
Person gets ready to go out, hiding their guns in the car
Twist the key, shifted to D then flee
Person starts the car and drives away
Before anything, get the daily dose of choke
Person smokes weed before doing anything else
We got the Benzo flooded with smoke on the float
Person and friend hotbox their car with smoke
My eye's burnin' from the dope killin' my throat
Person complains about the effects of smoking weed
Lean my seat a taste, lumbar support
Person adjusts their seat to get comfortable
On the belt doin' 90 or more
Person drives fast on the highway
Debatin' on the latest rhyme wars
Person thinks about the latest rap battles
Where units don't count
Person thinks that record sales don't matter
But your rap pay add up to large amounts
Person acknowledges that rapping can be lucrative
Get my thrills puttin' other nigga's skills to sleep
Person enjoys competing with other rappers
Catch chills off'a infamous beats
Person likes the beats that they make
Swing the trees doin' one-handed you'ees
Person smokes weed while driving with one hand
Blowin' on the ouwee ?cause we can't have the medicine canoein'
Person smokes weed because it's safer than doing harder drugs like heroin
There go the boys to the right, no days and nights like that
Person sees the police to their right and feels nervous
Ay yo dun, hold that down and turn it around
Person tells their friend to hide the evidence and go back the other way
Dirty as fuck, thugs drugs and guns, d's and fatigues
Person describes the risky and dangerous lifestyle they lead
T n T hopin' out of MPV's
Person sees their rivals getting out of their cars
Surprise all'a fuck out of me
Person is taken aback by the sudden encounter
Got rubber Glocks pointed at me
Person sees their rivals with fake guns
Ay yo twin, what the fuck... ..
Person calls their friend for help
[Twin]
Friend responds
They had us laid out on the ground holdin' us down
Person and friend are being held down by their rivals
With gats to back of our heads was goin' down
Person and friend are threatened with guns to the back of their heads
?It wasn't us that held up that bitch you got.
Person tries to deny the accusations made by the rivals
Where's the proof, man!? Let me speak to my attorney.?
Person demands proof and wants to speak to a lawyer
I know the routine, don't try to throw me
Person is familiar with how the police operate
I been gettin' knocked since 12 and my moms tried to scold me
Person has been getting in trouble with the law since they were young
... but all that told me to get in more shit
Person's upbringing hasn't stopped them from continuing their criminal activities
ay yo P', (what up) you my co-d, we both get knocked
Person tells their friend that they're in this together and will likely get arrested
What you did with that half'a tree? (right in my sock.)
Person asks their friend where they hid the drugs
Yo, I hope these fuckin' dicks won't find the stash spot
Person hopes that the police won't find their drugs
Dun, you know how I get down!?!
Person reminds their friend of how they operate
Yo I'm ready to bounce
Person is ready to leave
Do the 100 yard-dash and tear ass
Person plans to run away really fast
If my other half was alive we woulda got killt
Person wishes their deceased friend was there with them
?cause dun woulda went for the guns and got ill
Person thinks their deceased friend would have fought back with guns
Plus I gots cracks on me, they foundt the cracks on me
Person has drugs on them and is worried the police will find them
Looked at'em, gave'em back to me
Police officers didn't find the drugs or didn't care
I could swore they was takin' us in
Person thought the police were going to arrest them
Then the lady in the car said, ?..that's not them.
Person is released by the police because they had the wrong suspect
Picked us up, told me I could keep the drugs
Person is surprised that the police allowed them to keep the drugs
They didn't give a fuck, they was only lookin' for guns
Police didn't care about the drugs, they were just after guns
An' you ain't gotta tell us twice
Person and friend are happy to leave and won't look back
We hopped in the car and slid off
Person and friend quickly get back in the car and drive away
On our way up-town for more of that funk
Person and friend plan on getting more drugs
P' lit the tree back up
Person smokes weed again
Got off the Tri-burrough, hit the Henry Huds
Person and friend take a specific highway exit
?Fuckit, let's slide through the Rutgers.
Person suggests they go to a specific neighborhood
Roll the windows down 'cause infamous mobb bumpers...
Person enjoys the loud music they're listening to while driving
[Prodigy]
Person starts rapping
... Skip To My Lou had the crowd jumpin'
Person remembers a specific event where a song got the crowd excited
Took a walk through the park frontin'
Person spent time outside enjoying the nice weather
Didn't even have to hurt nuttin'
Person had a good time without causing any harm
Man I love it, ain't nothin' like summer in New York
Person appreciates the summer season in New York
Hear Infamous Thoughts, then the Dream Team music starts
Person hears their own music and enjoys it
Damn, we young black entrepreneurs
Person considers themselves a business person
New York Pricks and Dicks can't stop our floss
Person and their friend are proud of their success and don't care about haters
We like organized crime, the fuckin' Mobb
Person compares themselves to a criminal organization
I'm only twenty-six playin' wit' serious cards
Person is only 26 but is involved in serious business
Dead serious cash, luxurious labs
Person is making a lot of money and has a nice recording studio
Learn to balance fame with pain, you CAN'T COMPLAIN
Person has learned to accept the hardships that come with success
[Chinky sings X]
Chorus begins
Jus' another day livin' in the hood...
Person describes the daily struggles of living in a poor neighborhood
Jus' another day around the way... .
Person describes the routine of their daily life
Feelin' good today... oh no we can't complain
Person is feeling positive about their life and circumstances
Jus' another day... livin' in New York... .
Person reiterates the difficulties of living in New York City
Dealin' with the jakes and the snakes... ..
Person has to deal with the police and other criminals
Feelin' good today... .we hit'em up 'cause we here to stay...
Person is ready to face their challenges head-on and is determined to succeed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARRY WHITE, ALBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@traeucity6087
This song is a movie in itself. I keep it in heavy rotation and fantasize about making an animated version of it. The dialogue between Prodigy and Twin Gambino is spectacular. Exhibit A:
"They had us laid out on the ground holdin' us down
With gats to back of our heads was goin' down
?It wasn't us that held up that bitch you got.
Where's the proof, man!? Let me speak to my attorney.?
I know the routine, don't try to throw me
I been gettin' knocked since 12 and my moms tried to scold me
... but all that told me to get in more shit
ay yo P', (what up) you my co-d, we both get knocked
What you did with that half'a tree? (right in my sock.)
Yo, I hope these fuckin' dicks won't find the stash spot
Dun, you know how I get down!?!
Yo I'm ready to bounce
Do the 100 yard-dash and tear ass
If my other half was alive we woulda got killt
?'cause dun woulda went for the guns and got ill
Plus I gots cracks on me, they foundt the cracks on me
Looked at'em, gave'em back to me
I could swore they was takin' us in
Then the lady in the car said, ?..that's not them.?
Picked us up, told me I could keep the drugs
They didn't give a fuck, they was only lookin' for guns
An' you ain't gotta tell us twice
We hopped in the car and slid off
On our way up-town for more of that funk
P' lit the tree back up
Got off the Tri-burrough, hit the Henry Huds' "
@simonforrest2522
I dont think people actually realise how dope this joint is... It doesn't get any better than this... Perfection. .R.I.P King
@johndolo9083
they do...we're here
@eklipz3467
This was my anthem backwhen the album dropped. Living right up in harlem near the Dream Team Music store on 148 in st nick. Classic times.
@bronco5828
No doubt bro 💪
@robclem6238
@@johndolo9083 played
@shawtyeatemup8660
My favorite prodigy song
@NOVMBER
Damn they should’ve done a video for this. Imagine this. Summer time in NY. The lyrics paint the visual. Nothing like it..
@ticallianstallion9328
Infamous minded
@johnfelton3477
Exactly
@johnfelton3477
Damn this dude was by far the most prolific writers in rap that ever held a Mic...