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/
The Dough
Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't talk to me about songs 'cause i embarrass you
24-carat gold plaques in my living room
Same-Character watch. Know the fucking time
I wrap circles around niggas. On my grind
I draw circles around these roaches with the chalk
Get your body outlined in the Streets of New York
By the King from Queens ?, Long Island
Look at me now, ? up
I turned out to be a Legend in my own time
They say, General Bars; He stalks through the night
You can hear him in the ghetto
Where it's dark cuz the light's all
Shot out, Shout out to niggas, put the pot out
When the boys coming for D, it's getting hot out
We hit the hideout couple hours and we back
Too much money out here to be anything less than paid
You know me, I keep the dough pildin'
Nice and neat, low key, I'm lounging
We turned up in the Street you get found in
Same spot you was tryna wild out in
Big Hammer to waist
That's how I gotta move
If it ain't a three-fifty
It's an eye for a tooth
Niggas thinking they smooth
What am I supposed to do?
I attack motherfuckers who stink
It's not cool. Kids, don't try this at home
It's nothin' to play with
Enjoy your young life
Don't fuck with them gauges
Cuz these shits blow off tops
Destroy families. See, niggas get shot ayday b
It's ?. Don't fuck with plated numbers
Ever play me, get your money
My pockets is real cakey
My life is real crazy
But I wouldn't trade it
Na, you couldn't make me
Get this paper, it's the only way
You gon' eat food, have a place to stay
You tell me 'How the fuck is you gon' make it?!'
If you starve, then you're cold and your ass is butt-naked
You see
You know me, I keep the dough pildin'
Nice and neat, low key, I'm lounging
We turned up in the Street you get found in
Same spot you was tryna wild out in
In "The Dough," Prodigy boldly advocates for the accumulation of wealth while cautioning against the dangers and harsh realities of street life. He begins by boasting about his own success-- presenting his 24-carat gold plaques as evidence of his skill and dedication to the rap game. He compares himself to a king, one who can silence even the noisiest of roaches. For Prodigy, there is no room for gang activity or recklessness in the quest for wealth-- a lesson reinforced by his proclamation that his pockets are "real cakey." He acknowledges the dangers and potential harm caused by guns, emphasizing that one mistake could ruin a life, destroy a family, or end up in jail. Despite these risks, Prodigy insists that money is the only way to succeed and survive in life.
Through his lyrics, Prodigy paints a vivid picture of the struggles of living in the ghetto. No matter how successful one may become, they will always remember where they came from. They will always hear the legend of the "General Bars" stalking through the night, while the streets around them are plunged into darkness. Prodigy reinforces the idea that it is impossible to change this reality and that the only option is to seize every opportunity to get paid. Ultimately, the song is an unapologetic celebration of financial independence and a grim reminder of the dangers and inevitability of violence lurking in every corner of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen
Pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Don't talk to me about songs 'cause i embarrass you
You can't compete with my success in the music industry.
24-carat gold plaques in my living room
I have achieved great success as an artist.
Same-Character watch. Know the fucking time
I am wealthy and have expensive accessories.
I wrap circles around niggas. On my grind
I'm an unstoppable force, always grinding and circling around my competition.
I draw circles around these roaches with the chalk
I leave my mark on my enemies, marking them as inferior.
Get your body outlined in the Streets of New York
I am powerful and have the ability to take out my enemies.
By the King from Queens ?, Long Island
I am a respected and feared figure in the music industry, known for my success and power.
Hempstead too to your head, you stop wildin'
People listen and obey me, otherwise they will face consequences.
Look at me now, ? up
I have come a long way and am now successful.
I turned out to be a Legend in my own time
I have achieved legendary status.
They say, General Bars; He stalks through the night
People speak of me with reverence and fear.
You can hear him in the ghetto
My reputation and music is heard and respected in all areas of the city.
Where it's dark cuz the light's all
I embrace the darkness and the grittiness of the streets to find success.
Shot out, Shout out to niggas, put the pot out
Shout out to those who participate in illegal activities, but be cautious to avoid getting caught.
When the boys coming for D, it's getting hot out
Be careful and take cover when the police come, as it can get dangerous.
We hit the hideout couple hours and we back
I have a team and we know how to evade the law.
Too much money out here to be anything less than paid
I am motivated by the money and success that comes with my career.
You know me, I keep the dough pildin'
I am known for accumulating large amounts of money.
Nice and neat, low key, I'm lounging
I enjoy my success and wealth in a quiet and understated manner.
We turned up in the Street you get found in
I am successful and respected in the streets.
Same spot you was tryna wild out in
I have achieved success in the same places where others have tried and failed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALAN MAMAN, ALBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Nelly
Rip P
STR8Fightah
I’m 16 and I bring back P’s style in my raps.
Jay H
prodigy is one of the greatest period.
Reckless Ralph from Queens
His recent shit is 100x better than Nas or Jay-Z if you compare from anytime after ‘04”.
Slim
No question
Katrina Fox
I agree
evertontalk
*is
RobertLove
Prodigy is literally my adolescent teenage years... his music made them memorable riding the subway to school daily blasting the Mobb... soundtrack to my teenage youth
GREEKNEEK
Smooth ass beat hav, alchemist, sid roams, all did they thing. Big twins verse on click clack one of my favourite of all time shit so raw "When you look in to my eyes, ALL YOU SEE IS HATE DUN!!" WHOLE OF #HNIC2 IS CLASIC #RIPPRODIGY #BANDANNAP