Mobb Deep: Deep in Hip Hop
Something about being born in poverty and living in crime-ridden streets that turns an individual to want success passionately and is willing to work to achieve it. Poverty seems to fuel the desire for achievement and that’s exactly what happened to Mobb Deep, a duo named Havoc and Prodigy. They started out in Queensbridge, New York, and that’s where their famous album, “The Infamous” was created, along with their hit song, “Shock Ones Pt. II.”
Havoc and Prodigy met while they were in Manhattan’s Art and Design School. In 1993, the team released their debut album, Juvenile Hell, which mirrored the hardships of New York in the late 80s and early 90s. They were very young at the time the album was released, and while critics did not really give it enthusiastic support, Juvenile Hell established their raw talent; it was clear that the potential for success was there. They were scooped by Loud Records and two years later, the duo started working on their second album, The Infamous. This was the album that firmly rooted Mobb Deep in the true grit hip hop milieu.
Mobb Deep’s rise to fame was evident in the years 1995 to 2000, and the duo’s songs continued to relate the painful struggles of street life. In 1996, the duo released their third album, Hell on Earth and landed in # 6 position on the Billboard album chart. The long-awaited Murda Muzik album was produced, grabbing # 3 position, and immediately earning platinum status, with the song “Quiet Storm”.
The period 2001-2004 was a controversial one. First, rapper Jay-Z criticized the duo, going as far as revealing photographs of Prodigy wearing a dance outfit back in 1988. Then in 2001, the duo came out with their next album, Infamy, which did not sit well with their loyal fans because they felt that the album was a deviation from the real hardcore hip hop that they have come to expect from Havoc and Prodigy. Even if the album appealed to a much wider audience, fans felt betrayed by the change in style.
The duo separated from Loud Records and produced The Murda Mixtape which had the “free agents” label on it. Jive Records signed the duo eventually and came out with Amerikaz Nightmare in 2004.
In a 2005 development, the duo teamed up with 50 Cent’s label, G-Unit Records and released “Blood Money” in May 2006. The duo staged a concert in Australia, and was warmly received.