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, “Smack My Bitch Up”, 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.
Infamous Minded
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah old school part one feel it
The realest, Who be the realest
Them niggaz stay
Infamous minded
you've been blinded
Cut on your face
They are the victims
We be the victors
Sometime a nigga gotta step up
And bring war, Spray ks
And go out in a blaze
Young guns learn to duck
So they won't catch strays
won't shoot to be frontin'
Or to waste shots for nothin
If I'm pulling out my torch
I'm gonn hit somethin', Whatever
Slugs through your avirex leather
I close one lid
So I could aim a little better
I stop firing
And de-cock the hammer
You need triads
I need to get up outta here
don't really think It's cool to let another man
[Havoc]
"Let me buck that nigga son"
[Prodigy]
I hold my own cannon and shoot just as fast
Move with select few
don't fuck with lil dude
Or little pistols
Strictly the big are you's
'Cause deuce-deuce its only good for hiding
I need big firepower when I'm riding
52 shot clips
You pop lips, Silence
And i don't stop dumping till i hear sirens
I'm not a boyz n the hood addict
Menace fanatic
I live the street life for real
So i can brag it
Pop gave me gun lesson back when i was a kid
Now i fire more arms than he ever did
that's why
I keep things in proper prospective
And every album point why'all niggas in the right direction
There's no protection, when I'm on the mike
You couldn't fold me
If you trained all your life
You's a chump, I'm a champ
You broke, I'm top dollar
Niggaz gotta whole lotta mouth
that's no problem
Fake thugs lay down
Real killers don't yell it
Bring it don't sing it nigga
Use intelligence
Its evident you not, murder material
When you all alone, you pose guns in the mirror yo
Chinky, Rapper Noyd, Hav, G part 3, my nigga Bino and Nitty
Y'all feel me
Let me get deeper in the subject
'Cause its gets me hard
Every nigga holding
don't mean he gonn arc
Any nigga that show it
Need to disown it
Or get it tooken by another who deserve it
Listen, this is what it takes to survive today
Use your eyes, to my niggaz that's ride with me
And you see that nigga P, be the storm quiet
I'm holding, so ease back
I stay infamous minded
[Noyd]
Yeah yeah nigga, shit is real
You know
[Prodigy]
Infamous minded
[Noyd]
Yo, this niggaz outhere
We moving blindly dun, its all about survival though
They don't know
You the top dawg for the rest to follow
[Prodigy]
Infamous minded
[Noyd]
You know how we do it killer
The Qb way, my way or no way
Queensbrige to our death day
[Prodigy]
Infamous minded
[Noyd]
Shit, why you think they call us infamous nigga
We earned the title nigga
Not cause it sounds tough dumb fuck
[Prodigy]
Infamous minded
[Chorus]
[Prodigy]
When the bridge start rocking
The bridge, It keep rocking
When the bridge start rocking
The mobb'll keep rocking
When the bridge start rocking
Queens still be rocking
When the bridge start rocking
My niggaz keep popping
[Repeat Chorus]
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song "Infamous Minded" convey a sense of street toughness and survival. The opening lines suggest the idea of being the realest and not being swayed by others' opinions. The phrase "Infamous minded" implies a mindset of being part of the Infamous Mobb, a street gang. The lyrics touch on themes of violence and retaliation, with references to using guns for protection and going out in a blaze. The artists assert their dominance, stating that they are the victors while others become victims.
Later in the song, the lyrics reflect on the influence of upbringing and the legacy of violence passed down through generations. The singer describes being taught gun lessons by his father and having more firepower than his dad ever did. The lyrics also address the issue of fake toughness and the need to "disown" guns that are only for show. The chorus emphasizes the loyalty and unity within the Queensbridge community, as they continue to rock together in the face of challenges.
Overall, "Infamous Minded" showcases The Prodigy's raw and unapologetic attitude towards street life, while also shedding light on the consequences and struggles associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah old school part one feel it
Feel the vibes of the old school, the authentic and genuine style
The realest, Who be the realest
Questioning who can truly claim the title of being the most authentic
Them niggaz stay
Those individuals remain in their false reality
Infamous minded
Adopting the mindset of the infamous, staying aware and street smart
you've been blinded
You have been deceived or fooled
Cut on your face
End up with a scar as a consequence of your actions
Fucking with these mobb giants
Engaging with powerful and dangerous individuals from the mob
They are the victims
They become the targets of our dominance
We be the victors
We emerge as the winners in this battle
Sometime a nigga gotta step up
At times, one must take a bold move or action
And bring war, Spray ks
Initiate conflict and fire shots
And go out in a blaze
Be willing to sacrifice everything for the cause
Young guns learn to duck
Inexperienced individuals understand the importance of avoiding danger
So they won't catch strays
To avoid getting hit by random bullets
won't shoot to be frontin'
Won't shoot just to show off or appear tough
Or to waste shots for nothin
Or to shoot without purpose or reason
If I'm pulling out my torch
If I'm reaching for my weapon
I'm gonn hit somethin', Whatever
I'm going to hit my target, no matter what
Slugs through your avirex leather
Bullets penetrating through your leather jacket
I close one lid
I close one eye, focusing with precision
So I could aim a little better
To improve my aim and accuracy
I stop firing
I cease shooting
And de-cock the hammer
And release the tension on the weapon's hammer
You need triads
You require a group to support and protect you
I need to get up outta here
I need to leave this place
don't really think It's cool to let another man
I don't believe it's acceptable to allow another man
Let me buck that nigga son
Allow me to shoot that man, son
I hold my own cannon and shoot just as fast
I possess my own firearm and can shoot with great speed
Move with select few
Associate and trust only a few chosen people
don't fuck with lil dude
Don't mess with young and inexperienced individuals
Or little pistols
Or individuals with weak firepower
Strictly the big are you's
Strictly aligning with powerful and significant figures
'Cause deuce-deuce its only good for hiding
Because smaller caliber firearms are only useful for concealment
I need big firepower when I'm riding
I require heavy and impressive firepower when I'm out and about
52 shot clips
Magazines with 52 rounds of ammunition
You pop lips, Silence
If you talk too much, you'll face the consequences
And i don't stop dumping till i hear sirens
I will continue to shoot until I hear the sound of police sirens
I'm not a boyz n the hood addict
I'm not someone obsessed with the gangster lifestyle portrayed in the movie 'Boyz n the Hood'
Menace fanatic
I'm more of a fan of the movie 'Menace II Society'
I live the street life for real
I truly experience and embrace the life of the streets
So i can brag it
So I can boast about it confidently
Pop gave me gun lesson back when i was a kid
My father taught me about guns when I was young
Now i fire more arms than he ever did
Now, I possess and use more firearms than my father ever did
that's why
That's the reason why
I keep things in proper prospective
I maintain a proper perspective on things
And every album point why'all niggas in the right direction
Through every album, I guide and lead you all in the correct direction
There's no protection, when I'm on the mike
There's no defense or safety against my lyrical prowess
You couldn't fold me
You couldn't defeat or break me
If you trained all your life
Even if you trained diligently throughout your entire life
You's a chump, I'm a champ
You're a weak and insignificant person, while I'm a champion
You broke, I'm top dollar
You're poor, while I'm wealthy and highly valuable
Niggaz gotta whole lotta mouth
Many individuals talk too much and boast excessively
that's no problem
But that doesn't bother me
Fake thugs lay down
Fake gangsters surrender or give up easily
Real killers don't yell it
True criminals don't need to announce their actions or prowess
Bring it don't sing it nigga
Take action instead of just talking about it
Use intelligence
Employ strategic thinking and intellect
Its evident you not, murder material
It's obvious that you do not possess the qualities of a murderer
When you all alone, you pose guns in the mirror yo
When you're alone, you pretend to hold guns in front of the mirror
Chinky, Rapper Noyd, Hav, G part 3, my nigga Bino and Nitty
Referring to various individuals affiliated with the artist: Chinky, Rapper Noyd, Hav, G part 3, Bino, and Nitty
Y'all feel me
Do you guys understand and resonate with my message?
Let me get deeper in the subject
Allow me to delve further into the topic
'Cause its gets me hard
Because it excites me and arouses my passion
Every nigga holding
Every individual is carrying a weapon
don't mean he gonn arc
But that doesn't necessarily mean they will use it or engage in violence
Any nigga that show it
Any person who reveals their weapon
Need to disown it
Should distance themselves from it or get rid of it
Or get it tooken by another who deserve it
Or have it taken by someone more deserving or worthy
Listen, this is what it takes to survive today
Pay attention, this is what is necessary to endure in the present time
Use your eyes, to my niggaz that's ride with me
Observe your surroundings, to all my comrades who are loyal to me
And you see that nigga P, be the storm quiet
And when you see me, Prodigy, I am calm and silent like the calm before a storm
I'm holding, so ease back
I have a weapon, so everyone should back off
I stay infamous minded
I remain constantly aware and street smart
Yeah yeah nigga, shit is real
Yes, indeed, my friend, the situation is serious
You know
You understand
You the top dawg for the rest to follow
You are the leader whom everyone else should emulate or admire
You know how we do it killer
You are aware of our methods, my friend
The Qb way, my way or no way
The Queensbridge way, it's either my approach or no approach at all
Queensbrige to our death day
Queensbridge until the day we die
Shit, why you think they call us infamous nigga
Why do you think they refer to us as the infamous, my friend?
We earned the title nigga
We obtained the title, my friend
Not cause it sounds tough dumb fuck
Not because it sounds tough, you idiot
When the bridge start rocking
When Queensbridge becomes active or energetic
The bridge, It keep rocking
Queensbridge continues to be vibrant and lively
Queens still be rocking
The neighborhood of Queens continues to thrive
My niggaz keep popping
My comrades continue to engage in violence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Missing Link Music
Written by: ALBERT JOHNSON, R. KIRKLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind