Mobb Deep facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mobb Deep
|
|
|---|---|
Mobb Deep performing in 2015
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Poetical Prophets |
| Origin | Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991–2017 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Past members | Havoc Prodigy |
Mobb Deep was an American hip hop group from Queens, New York. It started in 1991. The group had two rappers, Prodigy and Havoc. They were also songwriters and music producers.
Mobb Deep was very important in creating a style of hip hop called hardcore East Coast hip hop. They became one of the most successful rap groups ever, selling over three million records. Their most famous albums include The Infamous (1995), Hell on Earth (1996), and Murda Muzik (1999). Their popular songs were "Shook Ones (Part II)" and "Survival of the Fittest."
The group split up in 2012 but got back together the next year. Sadly, Prodigy passed away in June 2017. As of 2023, Havoc is working on a new Mobb Deep album.
Contents
The Story of Mobb Deep
Starting Out
Havoc and Prodigy met at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. This school was known for its creative students. In 1991, they formed a group called Poetical Prophets. This name showed their interest in a thoughtful style of New York hip hop.
The duo made a demo tape. They used a special way to promote themselves, like "guerrilla marketing." This means they used unusual and direct ways to get attention. They would find addresses of music companies on album covers. Then, they would bring a cassette player and ask artists they saw to listen to their music.
Only one artist, Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, stopped to listen. Prodigy remembered that Q-Tip introduced them to important people at Def Jam Recordings. Soon after, Prodigy signed a solo deal with Jive Records. He was also featured on a song for the Boyz n the Hood movie soundtrack. However, Jive Records decided not to sign them as a duo.
In July 1991, they were featured in The Source magazine. This helped promote their demo, Flavor for the Nonbelievers. The magazine called them a "dynamic duo." The next year, they changed their name to "Mobb Deep." This name came from Puff Daddy's suggestion. Prodigy explained that "Mobb Deep" described how they lived. When they hung out, there would be many of them, like a "mob." The word "deep" was slang for a large group.
In 1992, Mobb Deep signed with 4th & B'way Records. They released their first song, "Peer Pressure." Their first album, Juvenile Hell, came out in 1993. Famous producers like DJ Premier worked on it.
Becoming Famous
The group became very successful with their second album, The Infamous, released in 1995. Mobb Deep became leaders in hardcore hip hop. They told stories about life in the Queensbridge Houses in New York City, where Havoc grew up. After this album, Mobb Deep became very active artists on the East Coast.
The album's name came from a friend of Havoc's. This friend had "The Most Infamous" tattooed on his arm. Havoc produced most of the music for this album. The songs had a dark and sample-based sound. The popular song "Shook Ones Part II" was highly praised. In 2020, The Infamous was named one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Mobb Deep's third album, Hell on Earth, came out in 1996. It reached number six on the Billboard Album Chart. The album continued to show the tough street life. It helped them become even more famous in hip hop, along with other East Coast rappers like The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Nas.
In 1996, they appeared on a special CD called America is Dying Slowly. This CD was made to help people learn about the AIDS problem among African American men. In 1998, Mobb Deep worked with reggae artist Bounty Killer on a song for the Blade movie soundtrack. They also worked with Mariah Carey on a remix of her song "The Roof (Back in Time)."
In 1999, they released the Murda Muzik album. Many of its songs were leaked online before the album came out. This caused delays as the group had to record new songs. When the album was finally released, it reached number three on the Billboard 200. It quickly sold enough copies to be certified Platinum. The popular song "Quiet Storm" helped promote it. Soon after, Prodigy released his solo album, H.N.I.C.
From 2000 to 2010
Mobb Deep released Infamy in 2001. Some thought the song "Burn" was a response to another rapper's song. This album showed a change in their music style. They moved from a raw sound to a more commercial, friendly sound. This led to some people saying they were "selling out."
In 2003, the group left Loud Records. They released Free Agents: The Murda Mixtape. In this mixtape, Havoc and Prodigy said they were "free agents" looking for a new music company. Jive Records signed them later that year. Mobb Deep then released Amerikaz Nightmare in 2004. This album did not sell well, and they left the label. Today, many of Mobb Deep's albums from 1995 to 2004 are owned by Sony Music Entertainment.
Joining G-Unit Records
In June 2005, Mobb Deep announced they had signed with G-Unit Records. This company was started by rapper 50 Cent, who was from Queens like them. Havoc also produced music for other G-Unit artists. Mobb Deep released their seventh album, Blood Money, in 2006. It featured G-Unit members and other artists like Mary J. Blige. In 2006, Mobb Deep became the first American hip hop group to perform in India. In late 2009, Mobb Deep left G-Unit.
Break-up, Reunion, and Prodigy's Passing (2011–2017)
On April 4, 2011, Mobb Deep released a new song called "Dog ...," featuring rapper Nas. It was produced by Havoc and The Alchemist.
On July 27, 2012, Havoc said in an interview that the group was taking a break. There was a disagreement between Havoc and Prodigy. Havoc had posted angry messages about Prodigy on Twitter. At first, Havoc said his account was hacked, but later he admitted it was him.
However, in January 2013, Prodigy said he was sure he would make music with Havoc again. Mobb Deep appeared on Papoose's album The Nacirema Dream. They later got back together and performed on March 30, 2013. They also went on a world tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary. On March 22, 2013, the group officially reunited. They explained that music was most important to them and their friendship was too strong to break.
Around May 2013, Havoc released his solo album, 13. He announced that he and Prodigy had been working on their eighth Mobb Deep album. He said it was already "halfway done" and that he would produce the whole album.
On April 1, 2014, the group released their eighth album, The Infamous Mobb Deep. It was a double album. One CD had new music, and the other had unreleased songs from the The Infamous recording sessions.
On June 20, 2017, Prodigy passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada. He died from accidental choking while in the hospital for problems caused by sickle cell anemia.
Mobb Deep's Impact
Mobb Deep helped make a 1990s slang called the "Dunn language" popular. This term was first heard in their 1999 song "Quiet Storm." In the song, Prodigy raps about speaking the "Dunn Language."
The word "dunn" supposedly came from a friend of Prodigy's who lived in the Queensbridge housing projects. This friend had trouble saying the letter "S," so "son" sounded like "dun." Mobb Deep tried to claim this slang as their own. They even planned to release an album called The Dunn Language in 2002, but it was never released.
On September 15, 2018, Havoc said he was working on a new Mobb Deep album. This would be the group's last album. He is also working on another project with The Alchemist.
In December 2019, Havoc went on a "Murda Muzik 20th Anniversary Tour" with Big Noyd and L.E.S..
Video Games
Mobb Deep appear as playable characters in the video game Def Jam: Fight For NY.
Albums
Studio Albums
- Juvenile Hell (1993)
- The Infamous (1995)
- Hell on Earth (1996)
- Murda Muzik (1999)
- Infamy (2001)
- Amerikaz Nightmare (2004)
- Blood Money (2006)
- The Infamous Mobb Deep (2014)
Images for kids
-
Mobb Deep performing in 2015
-
Mobb Deep in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Mobb Deep para niños
