Mobb Deep
Background information
Also known as	The Infamous Mobb Deep
Origin	New York City, New York, USA
Genre(s)	Hip hop
Years active	1992 – present
Label(s)	4th & Broadway, Loud, Sony, Landspeed, Jive, G-Unit/Interscope
Associated acts	Big Noyd, Infamous Mobb, 50 Cent, G-Unit, Nas, The Alchemist
Members
Prodigy Havoc

Mobb Deep are a hip hop duo which consists of rappers Havoc and Prodigy. They are perhaps most famous for their landmark 1995 album The Infamous, and for their hit single, "Shook Ones Pt. II". They are currently signed to G-Unit Records. Although the group hasn't seen a large amount of commercial success, the majority of their albums have been met with critical acclaim, in particular for The Infamous, which is considered an East Coast Classic, in the same league as Nas' Illmatic, and Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die. If you hold the copyright to an image (e. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article is about the state. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Fourth And Broadway is a subsidiary of Island Records. ... Loud Records is a subsidiary of Arista Records See also List of record labels Categories: Record label stubs | Record labels ... Sony Records is a record label courtesy of Columbia, Epic and American Recordings. ... Jive Records is an American record label, owned by Sony BMG, and operates as a quarter of the Zomba Label Group. ... G-Unit Records is a record label founded by 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. After the debut of the album Get Rich or Die Tryin, 50 Cent was granted his own label. ... Interscope Records is a record label currently owned by the Universal Music Group. ... Big Noyd (born TaJuan Perry on May 7, 1975) is a rapper from Queensbridge, New York City. ... Infamous Mobb is a hip-hop group hailing from Queensbridge in Queens, New York. ... 50 cents may refer to 50 subunits of currencies where the subunit is called a cent. ... G-Unit is a rap group which consists of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, (The) Game, R & B singer Olivia and, most recently, Spider Loc. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Alan Daniel Maman, better known as The Alchemist, is one of hip hops leading producers. ... Albert Johnson (born November 2, 1974), better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one-half of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep with Havoc. ... This article is about the artist. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... This article is about the artist. ... Albert Johnson (born November 2, 1974), better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one-half of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep with Havoc. ... The Infamous is Mobb Deeps breakthrough album, perhaps one of the most influential hip hop albums of the East Coast hardcore rap genre. ... Shook Ones Pt. ... G-Unit Records is a record label founded by 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. After the debut of the album Get Rich or Die Tryin, 50 Cent was granted his own label. ... For other uses, see Nas (disambiguation). ... Illmatic is the debut album by rapper Nas, released on April 19, 1994 through Columbia Records, and featuring production from Large Professor (of Main Source), Pete Rock (of Pete Rock & CL Smooth), Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) and DJ Premier (of Gang Starr), as well as a guest... Christopher Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997), also known as Biggie Smalls (after a stylish gangster in the 1975 comedy, Lets Do it Again), but best known as The Notorious B.I.G. (Business Instead of Game). ... For other uses, see Ready to Die (disambiguation). ...

Biography

Origins

Havoc and Prodigy started rapping in the late 1980s when the two met at the High School of Art and Design in New York City. Havoc took on the role of producer, while Prodigy assumed the position of primary rapper. Originally dubbing themselves the Poetical Profits, they later changed their name to Mobb Deep in order to "reflect their reputation on the streets." In their early career, they released the single "Cop Hell". The High School of Art and Design is a Career and Technical Education high school located at 1075 Second Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets in Manhattan, New York City, New York. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

While both members of the duo were only 17, they released their debut album Juvenile Hell, which was led by the single "Peer Pressure". The album sold very poorly and was met with harsh reviews that wrote the duo off as just another hardcore group with little to distinguish them from the rest of the rap world. However, a few songs from Juvenile Hell gained a little recognition, such as "Hit It from the Back", "Locked in Spofford," and "Me & My Crew". Also in 1993, Havoc had a guest appearance in the critically acclaimed Black Moon album Enta Da Stage, on a song called "U Da Man". Juvenile Hell is Mobb Deeps debut album released in 1993. ... Peer Pressure is the first single from Mobb Deeps Juvenile Hell album, as well as their first ever single. ... Hit It From The Back is the second and final single from Mobb Deeps Juvenile Hell album. ... Black Moon is an American hardcore hip hop group, consisting of members Buckshot, 5ft and DJ Evil Dee (of Da Beatminerz). ... Enta Da Stage is the debut album of American East Coast hip hop group Black Moon, released October 19, 1993 on Nervous Records. ...

Rise to success

When Havoc was 17, his girlfriend at the time gave birth to triplets, therefore stalling his music work. When he was ready to get back in the studio, the first song he made was called " Muh Babay gurls is gonna b big fo real." The song recieved moderate success and was voted as the number 9 best Mobb Deep song of all time, by Qb Muzik Magazine. The song has since received negative reviews due to fowl language and violent imagery. Bill Clinton calls this track his " Favorite Hip Hop song of the early 90's."Still at a young age, the duo powered themselves to the top of the hardcore rap scene through their straightforward narration of street life. As with their first lyrical production, Mobb Deep portrayed the struggles of living in New York City's Queensbridge Houses. Following its release, The Infamous became one of the most influential hip hop albums of the East Coast hardcore rap genre ever. Their production also was noticed as the beats were often hard hitting and direct, a testament to Havoc, who produced the duos' tracks almost exclusively throughout their careers ^[1]. Furthermore, the smash hit single "Shook Ones Pt. II", received critical acclaim and was well-received within the hip hop community. Their third album, Hell on Earth was released in 1996, debuting at number six on the Billboard album chart. The album continued their portrayal of a harsh street life, while further pushing them to the forefront of the hardcore rap scene, along with contemporary East Coast rappers such as The Notorious B.I.G., the Wu-Tang Clan collective, Jay-Z, and fellow Queensbridge associate Nas. Queensbridge Houses is the largest public housing development in the United States. ... The Infamous is Mobb Deeps breakthrough album, perhaps one of the most influential hip hop albums of the East Coast hardcore rap genre. ... Shook Ones Pt. ... Hell on Earth is a 1996 album by hip-hop group Mobb Deep. ... On January 4, 1936, Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade and on July 20, 1940 the first Music Popularity Chart was calculated. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Wu-Tang redirects here. ... Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... For other uses, see Nas (disambiguation). ...

In 1999, the duo released the highly anticipated Murda Muzik album. Despite extensive bootlegging (nearly thirty songs of unreleased material leaked onto the internet) and countless delays, the album debuted at number three on Billboard and quickly went platinum — further highlighted by the popular single, "Quiet Storm." Shortly afterwards, Prodigy released his long awaited solo album H.N.I.C., in which the rapper collaborated with other artists (B.G., N.O.R.E.) and producers (including The Alchemist, Rockwilder, and Just Blaze). Murda Muzik is Mobb Deeps fourth album released in 1999. ... The Cathach of St. ... In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. ... Quiet Storm is the first single from Mobb Deeps Murda Muzik album. ... For other uses, see H.N.I.C. (disambiguation). ... Christopher Dorsey, better known as B.G. (born September 3, 1980 in New Orleans,Louisiana) is an American rapper. ... For other people with a similar name, see Noriega. ... Alan Daniel Maman, better known as The Alchemist, is one of hip hops leading producers. ... Rockwilder (born Dana Stinson) is an American hip hop and R&B record producer. ... Justin Smith (born in Paterson, New Jersey on January 14, 1978), better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer. ...

Shortly after the release of Murda Muzik, rapper Jay-Z spoke out against the duo, leading to an increase in publicity. Rumor has it that Prodigy took issue with two Jay-Z lines, which he felt were subliminal shots at Mobb Deep. One line from Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter states, "How dare you look at Jigga like I'm shook like boo", which he interpreted as a reference to "Shook Ones Pt. II". These remarks were compounded with a line from another one of Jay-Z's albums, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life: "What the deal is? (huh?)/Its like New York's been soft/Ever since Snoop came through and crushed the buildings," which Prodigy felt referenced Mobb Deep's beef with Tupac, Snoop, and Death Row Records. Later, at the Hot 97 Summer Jam show of 2001, Jay-Z performed "Takeover", which attacked Prodigy and which he later re-recorded for his album The Blueprint. He also revealed photographs of a young Prodigy dressed up like Michael Jackson in 1983, although Jay-Z claimed it was 1988. Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... Singles from Released: July 20, 1999 Released: October 18, 1999 Released: December 14, 1999 Released: February 15, 2000 Released: September 12, 2000 Vol. ... Shook Ones Pt. ... Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. ... Tupac may refer to the following: Tupac Shakur, an American rapper, actor, poet, and social activist Tupac Inca Yupanqui, the tenth Sapanoso Inca of the Incan Empire Túpac Amaru, the last indigenous leader of the Inca people in Peru Túpac Amaru II, a descendant of the Inca chief... Death Row Records is a record label that was founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre and Suge Knight, and was once home to some of raps biggest names, including Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound (Kurupt and Daz Dillinger). ... WQHT also known as Hot 97 is a New York based radio station. ... Summer Jam is the annual concert held at Giants Stadium and sponsored by New York based radio station Hot 97FM. Normally held in June, the concert features the most popular acts that hip-hop and R&B have to offer. ... Takeover is an album track recorded by Jay-Z for his 2001 hip hop album The Blueprint. ... For other uses, see Blueprint (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Photograph (disambiguation). ...

Changes

Mobb Deep subsequently released Infamy in 2001. The song "Burn" (featuring Vita) was perceived as a response to Jay-Z's diss on The Blueprint. The album marked a major stylistic change that saw the duo move away from the raw, minimalist, stripped-down beats of their hardcore roots, towards a more commercial fare with such songs as "Hey Luv (Anything)". This transition fostered accusations of "selling out" — upsetting many long-time fans who did not wish to see them veer away from their original style.^{[citation needed]} Infamy is hip-hop duo Mobb Deeps fifth album. ... Burn is a hit single from Ushers 2004 album Confessions. ... LaVita G. Raynor born on September 26, 1981, from Plainfield, New Jersey is an African American female rapper known simply as Vita. She first got a real life look into being a rapper when her older sister, Kima, joined Bad Boy Entertainments R&B trio, Total. ... For other uses, see Blueprint (disambiguation). ... Hey Luv is the second single from Mobb Deeps Infamy album. ... Selling out refers to the compromising of ones integrity, morality and principles in exchange for money, success or other personal gain. ...

Although these stylistic adjustments opened up Mobb's audience to a wider variety, many critics and fans credit Prodigy's feud with Jay-Z as damaging to Mobb Deep's gangster image and record sales (most evident when comparing the platinum-selling Murda Muzik to Infamy which struggled to attain the gold record status). There were no retaliation diss records back from these rappers. For other uses, see Gangster (disambiguation). ...

In 2003, the group split with Loud Records and released Free Agents: The Murda Mix Tape in which they proclaimed themselves as "free agents", addressing the group's split with Loud and search for a new label. Jive Records signed the duo later in the year and subsequently released Amerikaz Nightmare in 2004, which was seen by the general rap audience as a weaker release by the two, resulting in poor sales and the subsequent dropping of the duo from Jive.^[2] In sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has run out and is now free to sign with another team. ... Jive Records is an American record label, owned by Sony BMG, and operates as a quarter of the Zomba Label Group. ... Amerikaz Nightmare is a 2004 rap album by Hip-Hop duo Mobb Deep. ...

G-Unit Records

Infamous Records was a record label started by Mobb Deep in the late 1990s, but it did not get an imprint deal until 2004. It is now a subsidiary of G-Unit Records. In June 2005, Prodigy and Havoc surprised fans when they announced that they had inked a deal with 50 Cent's label G-Unit Records. The move was seen as surprising because 50 Cent had included an indirect diss to the group in his song "Piggy Bank". 50 Cent had a connection to the duo, as he grew up in nearby Golflinks Estate, Greenford and also had used Havoc as a producer for several different beats for G-Unit's Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo. The relationship strengthened as Mobb Deep and 50 Cent each received tattoos to pledge their loyalty to each other. Prodigy has the words "G-Unit" tattooed on his right hand and 50 Cent has "Mobb Deep" tattooed on his wrist. Upon signing to G-Unit, both Prodigy and Havoc were given new Porsches, a gift for two artists who had received very little monetary compensation in the past. G-Unit Records is a record label founded by 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. After the debut of the album Get Rich or Die Tryin, 50 Cent was granted his own label. ... 50 cents may refer to 50 subunits of currencies where the subunit is called a cent. ... G-Unit Records is a record label founded by 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. After the debut of the album Get Rich or Die Tryin, 50 Cent was granted his own label. ... Piggy Bank is a song from 50 Cents second album, The Massacre. ... G-Unit is a rap group which consists of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, (The) Game, R & B singer Olivia and, most recently, Spider Loc. ... Christopher Charles Lloyd (born April 30, 1982 in Baltimore, Maryland), better known as Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and is a member of G-Unit. ... Tony Yayo (born Marvin Bernard on March 31, 1978 in Port of Prince, Haiti)[1] is an American hip-hop artist who is signed to the G-Unit Records label. ... For other uses, see Tattoo (disambiguation). ... For the municipality in Germany, see Wrist, Germany. ... G-Unit is a rap group which consists of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, (The) Game, R & B singer Olivia and, most recently, Spider Loc. ... This article is about the auto company. ...

Mobb Deep's most recent album, titled Blood Money, was released on May 2, 2006. It features G-Unit members 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck, as well as Mary J. Blige and Nate Dogg. This marked their eighth release. Since joining G-Unit, Mobb Deep has also become involved with the G-Unit vs. The Game feud. In the "Outta Control" video, Mobb Deep are wearing T-shirts that say "G-Unit Game Over" referencing The Game's departure from G-Unit. Mobb Deep disses The Game in a 15 minute diss song with the rest of G-Unit called "300 Shots." Blood Money is an album by Tom Waits. ... is the 122nd day of the year (123rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... David Darnell Brown (born March 15, 1981), better known as Young Buck, is an American rapper who is a member of the popular rap group G-Unit. ... Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an American R&B, soul, and hip hop soul singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, record producer, actress, and hip hop icon who has sold more than 40 million records and over 10 million singles worldwide. ... Nathaniel Dawayne Hale (born August 19, 1969), commonly known by stage name Nate Dogg, is an American hip hop artist born in Long Beach, California. ... The feud between G-Unit and The Game is a hip hop rivalry that began in early 2005. ... Outta Control (Remix) is the fourth and final single from 50 Cents second album, The Massacre. ... Jayceon Terell Taylor (born November 27, 1979 in Los Angeles,[1] California), better known by his stage name The Game, is a multi-platinum American rapper signed to Interscope Records. ... Jayceon Terell Taylor (born November 27, 1979 in Los Angeles,[1] California), better known by his stage name The Game, is a multi-platinum American rapper signed to Interscope Records. ...

Many (Including Mobb's Long time fans)saw the group's movement to G-Unit as a departure from the original "Mobb Deep sound" and that had characterized their earlier releases, because Havoc himself has become less involved in the production of the group's music, not to mention that many of their original fans felt that Mobb Deep "sold out". In recent times (with G-Unit), Mobb Deep has moved away from its characteristic gritty yet soulful "New York sound" and more into a mainstream pop sound that is in sharp contrast with the lyricism-focused and simplistic hip hop of the early to mid-1990s. G-Unit is a rap group which consists of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, (The) Game, R & B singer Olivia and, most recently, Spider Loc. ...

On November 3, 2006, Mobb Deep became the first ever American rap act to perform in India, via Vh1's Hip Hop Hustle. They performed in a nightclub called Enigma from 12:30am onwards. is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994 and VH1: Music First until 2003) is an American digital television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently...

In November 2006, there were speculations of increasing tensions between 50 Cent and Havoc. Prodigy was set to release solo material with Koch Records before the end of 2007, but nothing as of yet has been released due to his imprisonment.^[3] Havoc, however, declined to sign with Koch, instead choosing to join a smaller, more independent label, Nature Sounds.^[4] 50 cents may refer to 50 subunits of currencies where the subunit is called a cent. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Nature Sounds is a record label from Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music . ...

Recent events

On October 9, 2007, Prodigy pleaded guilty to unlawful gun possession charges. Since this was his third gun conviction, he was facing a fifteen-year sentence, however, he has struck a plea bargain giving him a commuted sentence of 3 1/2 years.

Discography

Main article: Mobb Deep discography

This is a discography of hip hop duo Mobb Deep. ...

Studio albums

• 1993: Juvenile Hell
• 1995: The Infamous
• 1996: Hell on Earth
• 1999: Murda Muzik
• 2001: Infamy
• 2004: Amerikaz Nightmare
• 2006: Blood Money

Juvenile Hell is Mobb Deeps debut album released in 1993. ... The Infamous is Mobb Deeps breakthrough album, perhaps one of the most influential hip hop albums of the East Coast hardcore rap genre. ... Hell on Earth is a 1996 album by hip-hop group Mobb Deep. ... Murda Muzik is Mobb Deeps fourth album released in 1999. ... Infamy is hip-hop duo Mobb Deeps fifth album. ... Amerikaz Nightmare is a 2004 rap album by Hip-Hop duo Mobb Deep. ... Blood Money is the seventh studio album released by hip hop duo Mobb Deep on May 2, 2006. ...

Other albums

• 2003: Free Agents: The Murda Mix Tape
• 2007: The Infamous Archives

The Infamous Archives is a 30 track, double disc walk through the Mobb Deep vaults. ...

References

External links

• Mobb Deep at MySpace
• Mobb Deep Fan Site
• Interview with Prodigy - 2006
• 2007 Interview with Prodigy
• Infamous Minded Mobb Deep Fan Site
• Infamous Minded FORUM The Forum of the Infamous Minded fan site