CULTURE
RIP PRODIGY OF MOBB DEEP, ONE OF THE GREATEST RAPPERS OF ALL TIME
BY CORMEGA ON 6/25/17 AT 10:10 AM
Prodigy of the rap group Mobb Deep died on June 20th in Las Vegas.REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON
CULTUREPRODIGYMOBB DEEP
On June 20, I received a text from a friend asking me if Prodigy was dead. I looked at my phone with disgust, assuming it was baseless gossip. But just to make sure, I searched online. I found nothing. Then I got another text asking the same thing. I thought this was all a tasteless joke until more texts came and someone sent me a screenshot of TMZ saying Prodigy had died. By then I was in my car and felt so terrible I thought I might crash. I pulled over and let my daughter go into a store as a plethora of thoughts went through my mind. To the world, Prodigy, one of the greatest rappers of all time, had passed away at the age of 42. But I lost someone I knew, someone I had shared stages with. He would never say “what up thun” as he did when we saw each other. News of his death left me uneasy, but also made me grateful for the time we spent together and the music we made.
I met Prodigy in the early '90s when he was a teenage rapper eager to make a name for himself. He lived in Long Island but would come to Queensbridge to see Havoc—his eventual partner in the group Mobb Deep. We were all trying to succeed it in the rap game, but they worked harder than I did. They were doing everything they could to ensure their success.
I admired their determination. But I was caught up in the street life that would inevitably send me on an up north trip to Midstate. During my years away, Mobb Deep developed into a formidable duo. One day, while I was in prison and watching television, I caught a video of “Shook One’s,” the hit single of Mobb Deep’s The Infamous LP. I felt proud to know them, proud that the seeds they had planted had blossomed into something wild and exciting. It was also amazing to see so many familiar faces in the video, which was filmed on the same streets we represented. Mobb Deep had made it. They was “on” as we would say when someone succeeds.
When I came home, Prodigy and Havoc were in their prime and P invited me to one of their shows in Orchard Beach. The crowd was insane. I couldn’t believe the effect they had on people, and soon after I noticed everyone in New York was bumping their music. The Infamous, helped solidify Queensbridge as the epicenter of hip-hop.
Not long after the show, I joined P in the studio while he and Havoc worked on their next album, Hell on Earth. Their first record was a classic, but I could tell they were setting an even higher standard on this project.
The song that stands out most to me as an MC is “Apostle’s Warning.” Prodigy’s lyrics on the track are some of the best I've ever heard. Period. If anyone doubted he could rhyme, they didn’t anymore. His words were punctuated by Havoc’s production, which established him as one of the most talented beat makers in the game.
Over the next few years, the group continued to grow, and I was happy to see Prodigy succeed—not only as a rapper but as a man. Sometimes we care more about what a person can do than who they actually are. Beyond music, P was a dreamer, a dedicated father and an inquisitive mind who always questioned convention. He was prepared for death before any of us—perhaps because of his illness, sickle cell anemia. As a consequence, he knew he might not have long on this earth. And his demeanor and drive reflected the determination of a man who not only valued time, but was also unwilling to take it for granted. His quest for greatness was not a fruitless journey and he was eager to share what he accomplished with his people.
In 1999, when Mobb Deep was working on the album Murda Muzik in Miami, P and Havoc gave me the opportunity to appear on a track. At the time I was disillusioned with the music industry. I gave in to the allure of a life I thought I had sworn off. This was my chance to escape that lifestyle, once and for all. I knew I had to kill it. The song was called "What's Your Poison," and I recorded my verse, hoping the track would eventually make the album.
It did, and I was proud. As artists, we’re often competitive, but we’re also fans of each other and I was honored to appear with Havoc and P. “Murda Muzik” went on to become Mobb Deep’s biggest selling record and I got my first platinum plaque as a result.
Later, Prodigy called me to say he was trying to work with Priority Records. The label said if he could get Cormega signed, they would give him his own imprint, Infamous Records. So P asked me and I said “Let’s do it. Just make sure i get a nice car.” The deal never came to fruition, because Priority went through restructuring, but I was there for Prodigy when he needed me as he was with me.
In 2001, I released my first album, The Realness, independently, and Prodigy appeared on two tracks, one solo and one with Havoc. The album gained critical acclaim, and from there, my career took off.
Over the years, Prodigy and I had valleys and peaks, but I can say this sincerely—with God as my witness—I loved him. And I’ll always feel honored that we made music together and be grateful for the things he did for me.
Born and raised in New York City, Cormega (@iamcormega) is a hip-hop artist who has released five albums, including his latest Mega Philosophy. His first book,Understanding the True Meaning, comes out on July 7.
The rapper Cormega reflects on Prodigy of Mobb Deep, one of the greatest of all time
RIP PRODIGY OF MOBB DEEP, ONE OF THE GREATEST RAPPERS OF ALL TIME
BY CORMEGA ON 6/25/17 AT 10:10 AM
Prodigy of the rap group Mobb Deep died on June 20th in Las Vegas.REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON
CULTUREPRODIGYMOBB DEEP
On June 20, I received a text from a friend asking me if Prodigy was dead. I looked at my phone with disgust, assuming it was baseless gossip. But just to make sure, I searched online. I found nothing. Then I got another text asking the same thing. I thought this was all a tasteless joke until more texts came and someone sent me a screenshot of TMZ saying Prodigy had died. By then I was in my car and felt so terrible I thought I might crash. I pulled over and let my daughter go into a store as a plethora of thoughts went through my mind. To the world, Prodigy, one of the greatest rappers of all time, had passed away at the age of 42. But I lost someone I knew, someone I had shared stages with. He would never say “what up thun” as he did when we saw each other. News of his death left me uneasy, but also made me grateful for the time we spent together and the music we made.
I met Prodigy in the early '90s when he was a teenage rapper eager to make a name for himself. He lived in Long Island but would come to Queensbridge to see Havoc—his eventual partner in the group Mobb Deep. We were all trying to succeed it in the rap game, but they worked harder than I did. They were doing everything they could to ensure their success.
I admired their determination. But I was caught up in the street life that would inevitably send me on an up north trip to Midstate. During my years away, Mobb Deep developed into a formidable duo. One day, while I was in prison and watching television, I caught a video of “Shook One’s,” the hit single of Mobb Deep’s The Infamous LP. I felt proud to know them, proud that the seeds they had planted had blossomed into something wild and exciting. It was also amazing to see so many familiar faces in the video, which was filmed on the same streets we represented. Mobb Deep had made it. They was “on” as we would say when someone succeeds.
When I came home, Prodigy and Havoc were in their prime and P invited me to one of their shows in Orchard Beach. The crowd was insane. I couldn’t believe the effect they had on people, and soon after I noticed everyone in New York was bumping their music. The Infamous, helped solidify Queensbridge as the epicenter of hip-hop.
Not long after the show, I joined P in the studio while he and Havoc worked on their next album, Hell on Earth. Their first record was a classic, but I could tell they were setting an even higher standard on this project.
The song that stands out most to me as an MC is “Apostle’s Warning.” Prodigy’s lyrics on the track are some of the best I've ever heard. Period. If anyone doubted he could rhyme, they didn’t anymore. His words were punctuated by Havoc’s production, which established him as one of the most talented beat makers in the game.
Over the next few years, the group continued to grow, and I was happy to see Prodigy succeed—not only as a rapper but as a man. Sometimes we care more about what a person can do than who they actually are. Beyond music, P was a dreamer, a dedicated father and an inquisitive mind who always questioned convention. He was prepared for death before any of us—perhaps because of his illness, sickle cell anemia. As a consequence, he knew he might not have long on this earth. And his demeanor and drive reflected the determination of a man who not only valued time, but was also unwilling to take it for granted. His quest for greatness was not a fruitless journey and he was eager to share what he accomplished with his people.
In 1999, when Mobb Deep was working on the album Murda Muzik in Miami, P and Havoc gave me the opportunity to appear on a track. At the time I was disillusioned with the music industry. I gave in to the allure of a life I thought I had sworn off. This was my chance to escape that lifestyle, once and for all. I knew I had to kill it. The song was called "What's Your Poison," and I recorded my verse, hoping the track would eventually make the album.
It did, and I was proud. As artists, we’re often competitive, but we’re also fans of each other and I was honored to appear with Havoc and P. “Murda Muzik” went on to become Mobb Deep’s biggest selling record and I got my first platinum plaque as a result.
Later, Prodigy called me to say he was trying to work with Priority Records. The label said if he could get Cormega signed, they would give him his own imprint, Infamous Records. So P asked me and I said “Let’s do it. Just make sure i get a nice car.” The deal never came to fruition, because Priority went through restructuring, but I was there for Prodigy when he needed me as he was with me.
In 2001, I released my first album, The Realness, independently, and Prodigy appeared on two tracks, one solo and one with Havoc. The album gained critical acclaim, and from there, my career took off.
Over the years, Prodigy and I had valleys and peaks, but I can say this sincerely—with God as my witness—I loved him. And I’ll always feel honored that we made music together and be grateful for the things he did for me.
Born and raised in New York City, Cormega (@iamcormega) is a hip-hop artist who has released five albums, including his latest Mega Philosophy. His first book,Understanding the True Meaning, comes out on July 7.
The rapper Cormega reflects on Prodigy of Mobb Deep, one of the greatest of all time
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I plan to smash a TV on somebody crazy in memory of P.
Got damn his daughters IG POST
The daughter a true hip hop fan. She even likes MF DOOM
James Dean
All Star
People can be so insensitive sometimes especially on social media. "Why didn't they perform, where's Quiet Storm". The man died 5 days ago, clearly Hav is still in mourning, The last thing they are thinking about is performing. When MJ died, Janet came to the BET awards and gave a statement. People did the same thing then, "Why isn't she doing Scream".
Can we understand that Life is much more important than some last minute performance or your personal entertainment? Let them mourn. Yes everyone would of loved to hear "Quiet Storm" but this isn't the time. Hav just lost his brother that he's been with almost 3 decades. Also shout to K Dot for turning his speech to a Prodigy tribute. I feel horrible for Hav, He's going to have to find a way to keep pushing and keep Mobb's legacy going.
Well said. Havoc did not crack one smile up there, hes still hurting. Dude was in no shape to perform and he shouldn't have. It pissed me off seeing all the people bytching about no Tribute.
WaveMolecules
Superstar
When is the funeral?? Gotta pay respects to the HNIC.
Figaro
Superstar
I seen a picture earlier, maybe a few days ago because i was seriously bent up this weekend on Henny.
It was Prodigy with the words 'Illuminati want my mind soul & body, secret society trying to keep their eye on me"
Seemed like it was spray painted, shyt was dope....anybody got it?
It was Prodigy with the words 'Illuminati want my mind soul & body, secret society trying to keep their eye on me"
Seemed like it was spray painted, shyt was dope....anybody got it?
InfamousThoro
All Star
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Figaro
Superstar
You mean this one?
Nah bruh, it was on a instagram post & it seemed like he was done by spray paint, shyt was dope.