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Mobb Deep

From Alfawiki
Mobb Deep
Company typeHip hop duo
IndustryMusic
Founded1990
Headquarters
Queens, New York
,
United States
ProductsHip hop music, albums, singles

Mobb Deep was a hip hop duo originating from Queens, New York, established in 1990. The pair, composed of rappers, producers, and songwriters Prodigy and Havoc, are widely regarded as influential pioneers within the hardcore East Coast hip-hop scene. As one of the most prominent rap duos, they have sold upwards of three million records. Their critically acclaimed albums include The Infamous (1995), Hell on Earth (1996), and Murda Muzik (1999). Among their most notable tracks are "Shook Ones, (Part II)" and "Survival of the Fittest". The duo was distinguished by their gritty, hardcore sound.

After a brief split in 2012, Mobb Deep reunited the following year. Prodigy passed away in June 2017.

Early career

Havoc and Prodigy first crossed paths while attending Manhattan's High School of Art and Design, an institution renowned for nurturing creative talents such as Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs. In 1990, they formed the group Poetical Prophets, which reflected their emphasis on conscious New York hip-hop. They employed grassroots marketing tactics, personally handing demo tapes to artists. Only Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest took notice and subsequently connected them with contacts at Def Jam Recordings.

Prodigy secured a solo demo contract with Jive Records, contributing uncredited vocals to Hi-Five's "Too Young" on their 1990 debut album and tracks from the 1991 Boyz n the Hood soundtrack. Nevertheless, Jive declined to sign Poetical Prophets as a duo.

In July 1991, they were spotlighted in The Source's "Unsigned Hype" section to promote their demo tape Flavor for the Nonbelieves. The following year, they adopted the name "Mobb Deep," influenced in part by Puff Daddy, who aimed to sign them under his new label, Bad Boy Records. According to Prodigy, the name symbolized their lifestyle: large groups ("mobs") described as "deep," with the double "b" serving an aesthetic purpose.

Signing with 4th & B'way Records in 1992, Mobb Deep released the single "Peer Pressure" ahead of their 1993 debut album Juvenile Hell, which included production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, and Public Enemy affiliate Kerwin Young. That same year, Havoc featured on Black Moon's album Enta da Stage with the track "U da Man."

Rise to success

Their breakthrough arrived with the sophomore album The Infamous (1995), which established Mobb Deep as leading figures in hardcore hip-hop. The album's somber, sample-heavy beats—mainly crafted by Havoc—depicted the harsh realities of New York City's Queensbridge Houses, Havoc's upbringing locale. The title was inspired by a local boxer named Yamit who dubbed them "The Infamous Mobb Deep." The standout single "Shook Ones Part II" earned critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2020, The Infamous was included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Their third release, Hell on Earth (1996), debuted at number six on the Billboard Album Chart, reinforcing their stature alongside East Coast legends such as The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, and Wu-Tang Clan. This album featured collaborations with Nas, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon.

In 1996, Mobb Deep took part in the Red Hot Organization's compilation America is Dying Slowly, designed to raise awareness about AIDS among African American men. They also worked with artists like Kool G Rap on Frankie Cutlass's 1997 track "Know Da Game" and teamed up with reggae artist Bounty Killer for the soundtrack of Blade. Additionally, they appeared on Mariah Carey's remix of "The Roof (Back in Time)", which incorporated elements from "Shook Ones Part II."

Their 1999 album Murda Muzik encountered delays due to extensive bootlegging but eventually reached number three on the Billboard 200 and achieved Platinum status. It featured the successful single "Quiet Storm." Subsequently, Prodigy launched his solo debut H.N.I.C, collaborating with artists such as B.G. and N.O.R.E., alongside producers including The Alchemist, Rockwilder, and Just Blaze.

East Coast vs West Coast feud

Mobb Deep became embroiled in the infamous East Coast versus West Coast hip hop rivalry that was intensified by media attention. The conflict ignited when Snoop Dogg and West Coast group Tha Dogg Pound released "New York, New York". Mobb Deep joined forces with Capone-N-Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi to respond with "L.A. L.A" on Capone-N-Noreaga's debut album The War Report. Released during Tupac Shakur’s final incarceration period, tensions escalated as members of Tupac's group, Outlawz, reportedly confronted Mobb Deep at a concert. Tupac targeted Mobb Deep in multiple tracks including "Hit 'Em Up" and "When We Ride on Our Enemies," mocking Prodigy's struggle with sickle cell disease. Further disses appeared posthumously on his album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, such as "Bomb First (My Second Reply)" and "Against All Odds". Mobb Deep responded with their diss track "Drop a Gem on 'Em" featured on their 1996 album Hell on Earth.

Reflecting on this period, Havoc stated, "I was happy about it... 2Pac dissing us. We about to sell some records." He also noted that Mobb Deep never personally met Tupac before his death in 1996: "I saw him from a long distance but I never met him. [I was a] fan, but didn't even know him."

2000–2010

In 2001, Mobb Deep released Infamy. The track "Burn", featuring Vita, was interpreted as a rebuttal to Jay-Z's diss "Takeover" from The Blueprint, along with "Crawlin'", where Prodigy references Jay-Z directly. This release marked a shift from their characteristic raw minimalism towards more mainstream sounds like "Hey Luv (Anything)", which led to accusations of "selling out". After parting ways with Loud Records, they issued Free Agents: The Murda Mixtape in 2003 to assert their independence while seeking new label support. Later that year they signed with Jive Records through their own imprint and released Amerikaz Nightmare in 2004; however, its commercial performance was underwhelming prompting another departure from Jive. Due to subsequent industry consolidations, all Mobb Deep albums released between 1995 and 2004 are currently under the ownership of Sony Music Entertainment.

G-Unit Records

In June 2005, Mobb Deep inked a deal with G-Unit Records, facilitated by their personal connection to 50 Cent. Havoc contributed production work for tracks by G-Unit, Lloyd Banks, The Game, and Tony Yayo. Their seventh studio album, Blood Money, dropped in 2006 featuring appearances from G-Unit members including 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck, alongside guest spots by artists such as Mary J. Blige and Nate Dogg. That year also saw them become the first American hip hop duo to perform live in India through VH1’s Hip Hop Hustle event. Their contract with G-Unit concluded by late 2009.

2011–2017: Break-up, reunion, The Infamous Mobb Deep and death of Prodigy

On April 4, 2011, Mobb Deep released "Dog Shit", featuring rapper Nas, marking their first official single since Prodigy’s release from prison. Produced by Havoc alongside the Alchemist, it signaled a short-lived comeback.

By July 27, 2012, Havoc announced an indefinite break after public disputes surfaced between him and Prodigy involving diss tracks and social media confrontations. Havoc later confirmed these conflicts were genuine but expressed interest in resolving matters privately rather than online. This tension culminated in Havoc’s solo track "Separated (Real from the Fake)" from his album 13.

In January 2013, Prodigy conveyed optimism about future collaborations. Mobb Deep appeared on Papoose’s debut album The Nacirema Dream, reunited for Paid Dues Festival on March 30, 2013, followed by an international tour celebrating their twentieth anniversary starting May that year. They officially reconciled in March 2013 emphasizing music’s significance along with their enduring friendship.

Around May 2013 coinciding with Havoc’s third solo project 13, he disclosed that they were midway through producing their eighth studio album entirely handled by him.

On April 1, 2014, they released their eighth studio effort titled The Infamous Mobb Deep, a double LP combining fresh material with previously unreleased tracks from sessions for The Infamous.

Tragically, on June 20, 2017, Prodigy passed away in Las Vegas due to accidental choking while hospitalized for complications related to sickle cell anemia.

2025: Infinite

On February 12, 2025, The Alchemist announced ongoing collaboration with Havoc on a new Mobb Deep album named Infinite, which includes participation from Nas. Released October 10, 2025, this project features guest appearances from artists such as Clipse, Big Noyd, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Jorja Smith, and H.E.R.

Legacy

Mobb Deep introduced popularization of the 'Dunn language,' a slang term first documented in their 1999 track "Quiet Storm." Originating within the Queensbridge housing projects through an acquaintance of Prodigy who had difficulty pronouncing "S," this unique vernacular became integral to their identity. They sought ownership over this slang concept and planned an album titled The Dunn Language in 2002; however it was shelved due to label complications.

Both members appear as playable characters in the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY released in 2004.

In a September 2018 interview for HipHop4Real, Havoc revealed he was developing what would be considered Mobb Deep’s final record alongside a collaborative project with producer The Alchemist announced earlier. In December 2019 he embarked on a "Murda Muzik 20th Anniversary Tour" accompanied by collaborators like Big Noyd and producer L.E.S.

Discography

Studio albums

External links

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