The Prodigy first emerged in the underground rave scene in the early 1990s and achieved popularity and worldwide recognition with UK number one singles such as "Firestarter" and "Breathe", both singles coming from their UK and US chart topping album The Fat of the Land (1997). A third single from the album, βSmack My Bitch Upβ, was also successful. They earned titles like "the premiere dance act for the alternative masses" and "the Godfathers of Rave", and remain one of the most successful electronic acts of all time. They have sold an estimated 25 million records worldwide, and won numerous music awards during their career, including two Brit Awards for Best British Dance Act, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Kerrang! Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards, and received two Grammy Award nominations.
The Prodigy were founded in Braintree, Essex, in 1990 by keyboardist and songwriter Liam Howlett. He had taken piano lessons in his youth and gained the ability to play difficult passages in just a few run-throughs. After he decided to pursue a music career, Howlett met dancer and vocalist Keith Flint in mid-1989 at a rave at which Howlett was DJing. After Flint requested Howlett make a mix tape for him, Howlett obliged, returning a cassette several days later with a collection of his own songs on the other side. Howlett had scratched the word "Prodigy" onto the cassette, the same name as the Moog Prodigy analogue synthesiser, and Howlett's moniker. The tape was well-received by Flint and keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill who developed new dance sequences to the music and suggested to Howlett they begin a group together. They were soon joined by MC and vocalist Maxim, then known as Maxim Reality, and female dancer and vocalist Sharky, a friend of Flint's. Together they became the first line-up of the Prodigy.
On 4 March 2019, Keith Flint was found dead at his home in Essex, just weeks after playing six live dates in Australia and New Zealand. On 5 March, the band announced on Twitter that "all forthcoming concerts in 2019 would be canceled, effective immediately".
Following Flint's death, fans began using the Twitter hashtag "Firestarter4Number1" on various social media platforms to get "Firestarter" to top the British singles charts again. This was done out of respect for Keith Flint and to raise awareness of suicide among men.
On 20 August 2019, one day before his 48th birthday, Liam Howlett posted on the band's official Instagram page, saying he is "back in the studio making noise [...] brand new Prodigy tunes are gonna roll", referring to his intention to keep on releasing music under the Prodigy moniker.
Along with the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s. The Prodigy, however, is not considered entirely representative of the genre as their production "often reflected the more intelligent edge of trip-hop, and rarely broke into the mindless arena of true big beat" according to AllMusic. The Prodigy are also considered alternative dance, techno, electronica, breakbeat hardcore, and rave.
Liam Howlett cited early electro as a big influence, mentioning tunes like "Clear" by American music group Cybotron and "Al Naafiysh" by Hashim. Liam Howlett also cited The Bomb Squad, Public Enemy, and Rage Against the Machine as influences.
H.N.I.C.
The Prodigy Lyrics
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It's the hottest shit on street
It move units like Shania Twain on a Mobb beat
The solar system stand still
Gods listen when I speak the world pay attention it's
Capital P, niggaz rather hang up
Ya niggaz know my handle, talkin like you straight thug
Dunn, I catch you while your shoppin for kicks
From now on, call me Columbo
Cause I come through wrinkled up, think I give a fuck?
Look at my chain, look at my anklet
But are you listenin to the words man? My shit bang kid
Nigga I run this shit, I set the trend, you get the dick
That's basically it
These rap niggaz think I'm talkin bout them, nigga please
You ain't in my leagues, follow my lead
I be the H.N.I.C.
The head nigga in charge
The boss, the Captain Crunch dog, the sarge
The M.O.B.B., the status - we large
The guns, the drama, the love, the Mobb
The H.N.I.C.
The Head Nigga in Charge
The guns, the drama, the love, the Mobb
The boss, the Captain Crunch dog, the sarge
The M.O.B.B., the status - we large
I'm all over, me and my dogs enjoy this
We pop bottles, celebrate your death blow a kiss
At your wittle bitch, wish pain on your kids
Piss on your casket kick ya tombstone and shit, dog
And I ain't even that foul type a dude
But all's fair in love and war it's whatcha hand called for
Now ya mans want to ride for your cause
But fuck it, they could get it too, simple as you
And I be God-damned if they put they hands on me
Money brings power and puts guns in parties
Sends niggaz on Amtrak with those for your body
It pays for thirty plane tickets if we got beef, huh
Hardly, you all know what that is
I grew up in the hoods and the projects wit dope fiends and crack heads
Teenage killers with Mack-10s
Best friends cut each other's throat and twist they own fan backwards
Maybe that'd live now I'm on some rap shit
Album sold out keeps me far from the big house
The hand guns from that bigger house
'Cause ain't nobody cuttin for me to enforce to hold it down like
The H.N.I.C.
The Head Nigga in Charge
The guns, the drama, the love, the Mobb
The boss, the Captain Crunch dog, the sarge
The MOBB, the status - we large
The H.N.I.C.
The Head Nigga in Charge
The boss, the Captain Crunch dog, the sarge
The MOBB, the status - we large
The guns, the drama, the love, the Mobb...
The Prodigy's song H.N.I.C. is a hard-hitting rap song, featuring verses from Prodigy, one of the founding members of hip-hop group Mobb Deep. The title of the song, H.N.I.C., stands for Head Nigga In Charge, and serves as a declaration of Prodigy's power and authority in the rap world. The lyrics speak to the violence and brutality of street life, where loyalty is key and survival is a daily struggle.
The first verse opens with Prodigy boasting about his skills as a rapper and his ability to move units. He claims to be superior to other rappers and warns them not to mess with him. He then shifts the focus to the violent nature of street life, describing how shootouts can occur spontaneously and catch people off guard. Prodigy asserts his dominance by proclaiming that he runs the game and sets the trends.
In the second verse, Prodigy continues to speak on the harsh realities of street life. He describes how he and his crew celebrate when someone they don't like dies, and wishes pain on their children. He emphasizes how money brings power and the ability to hire hitmen, and describes the ruthless nature of those who have grown up in the projects. The chorus throughout the song repeats the phrase "The H.N.I.C." as a testament to Prodigy's power and dominance.
Overall, the lyrics of H.N.I.C. offer a raw and unapologetic portrayal of life on the streets, with Prodigy serving as an authoritative figure in that world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, if this no better than this
Even if there's nothing better than this, it's still the hottest thing on the street.
It's the hottest shit on street
This is the most popular and talked-about thing happening in the streets right now.
It move units like Shania Twain on a Mobb beat
This sells as many records as a popular country music singer, but with the added edge of Mobb Deep's signature beats.
The solar system stand still
The world stops and takes notice when this artist speaks or releases a new track.
Gods listen when I speak the world pay attention it's
This artist's voice is so influential that even the gods would take notice.
Capital P, niggaz rather hang up
People fear speaking to this artist, or maybe even hanging up the phone when they hear that it's them calling.
Ya niggaz know my handle, talkin like you straight thug
People know who this artist is, and even pretend to be tough when talking to them.
Dunn, I catch you while your shoppin for kicks
This artist can even catch their enemies by surprise while they're out shopping for shoes.
Surprise bitch, shoot outs is spontaneous and, oh
This artist isn't afraid to use violence to settle disputes, and may catch their enemies off guard with a surprise attack.
From now on, call me Columbo
This artist reveals that they are cunning and calculated, and should be referred to as the iconic TV detective Columbo.
Cause I come through wrinkled up, think I give a fuck?
This artist doesn't care about their appearance, and is still able to intimidate people regardless.
Look at my chain, look at my anklet
Even though this artist isn't concerned with fashion, they still have expensive jewelry to show off.
But are you listenin to the words man? My shit bang kid
This artist wants people to listen to their lyrics as well, not just focus on their exterior appearance or prevalent beats.
Nigga I run this shit, I set the trend, you get the dick
This artist believes they are at the top of the game, setting trends and making others follow their lead.
That's basically it
In summary, this artist is the leader of the pack and doesn't need to prove it any further.
These rap niggaz think I'm talkin bout them, nigga please
Other rap artists may believe that this verse is directed at them, but this artist knows they're not even on the same level.
You ain't in my leagues, follow my lead
Other artists are not as talented or influential as this artist, and should try to learn from them instead.
I'm all over, me and my dogs enjoy this
This artist has widespread success and is able to enjoy it with their closest friends and associates.
We pop bottles, celebrate your death blow a kiss
This artist revels in their enemies' downfall and enjoys celebrating with drinks and kisses of good riddance.
At your wittle bitch, wish pain on your kids
This artist isn't afraid to take things too far, and may even wish harm on their enemies' innocent children.
Piss on your casket kick ya tombstone and shit, dog
This artist has no respect for their enemies after death, and might even urinate on their casket or deface their grave marker.
And I ain't even that foul type a dude
While some of the artist's actions may seem extreme, they still believe they're not as bad as they could be.
But all's fair in love and war it's whatcha hand called for
This artist believes that anything goes in a battle or competition, and that they are simply playing the game as it was meant to be played.
Now ya mans want to ride for your cause
This artist notes that some people may try to ally with their enemy out of loyalty, but it won't make a difference in the end.
But fuck it, they could get it too, simple as you
This artist doesn't discriminate and is willing to take down anyone who gets in their way, no matter how close they are.
And I be God-damned if they put they hands on me
This artist will not stand for physical violence against them and will defend themselves at all costs.
Money brings power and puts guns in parties
This artist notes the corrupting influence of money and the fact that it can lead to people acquiring weapons and using them recklessly.
Sends niggaz on Amtrak with those for your body
This artist implies they have connections and can have their enemies killed by hired guns on a train.
It pays for thirty plane tickets if we got beef, huh
This artist can afford to pay for multiple people to travel to engage in violent conflict if necessary.
Hardly, you all know what that is
Others may know what it means to be involved in violence and conflict, but this artist is on another level entirely.
I grew up in the hoods and the projects wit dope fiends and crack heads
This artist had a rough upbringing in areas with drug addiction and poverty, perhaps influencing their mentality and behavior today.
Teenage killers with Mack-10s
This artist grew up in an environment where firearms were prevalent and even used by young people to commit murder.
Best friends cut each other's throat and twist they own fan backwards
This artist highlights the extreme violence and betrayal that can take place even between close friends.
Maybe that'd live now I'm on some rap shit
This artist reflects on the violence they grew up with and how it might have changed the course of their life path.
Album sold out keeps me far from the big house
This artist's success in the music industry has kept them from ending up in prison or another type of institution.
The hand guns from that bigger house
While the artist may have avoided prison, they still have access to weapons and may engage in violent behavior if necessary.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Caliz Carbonell
I get chills on my spine when I bump this
Miggz
One of the best albums of the 2000s
Ticallian Stallion
Ever homie!
JetBlackDreamz
One of best albums EVER. Timeless classic masterpiece.π―π
King Gill
Not even up for debateπͺπΎ
Ricky Hodgson
Gets no better than this
Wayne Silverman
Fuck always thought it was late 90s. 2001 my cousin used get smoked up to it while i was drinking southern comfort fucked
Pharaoh League
This album is a classic!!!
Don Ciotti
π
Ruben Muniz
FUCK YEAH!!!!