By J.R. Gamble
The Shadow League
Rapper Prodigy of the Infamous Mobb Deep died in Las Vegas today. The Hip-Hop world has lost another titan, as Prodigy is the second Queens-affiliated rap god to pass away in the last year, following A Tribe Called Quest OG Phife Dawg. His publicist says he was hospitalized “a few days ago in Vegas after a Mobb Deep performance for complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis, but the cause of death has not been confirmed.
Prodigy was in Vegas over the weekend doing what he does best; performing with the Art of Rap tour alongside fellow legendary rap gods Ghostface Killah, Onyx, KRS-One and Ice-T to name a few. Mobb Deep performed Saturday night. Little did we know it would be Prodigy’s last time gracing the world with his undeniable star power, deep and forceful voice, obnoxiously-conceited demeanor and street flavor. He had just rocked the Summer Jam stage on June 11 in New Jersey. He was still that dude. Just an OG now and an undisputed King in this highly competitive and cutthroat rap sh*t.
Prodigy has often painted vivid lyrical pictures of his struggles with sickle cell anemia ever since he was a child. The lyrical assassin who was the word-wilding co-pilot of the legendary group, along with his partner Havoc, overcame a first album flop, the wicked and violent projects, the vultures of New York City and the lure of drugs, women, fame and fortune to carve out a two-decade career in the constantly revolving door known as Hip-Hop.
These cats grew up in the game. They went through it all. P tells you in “Quiet Storm.”
The brave-hearted duo rose to mythical heights as trendsetters of the East Coast’s version of gangsta rap presented in a package of gritty, dark, eloquent, powerful and masterfully musical mental illustrations.
As the landscape of Hip-Hop changed over the years, Mobb Deep was a constant, if not in album presence than in memory and respect. And their music never left the clubs, regardless of the era or the taste buds of millennials.
A four-year prison sentence on a gun charge couldn’t even stop Prodigy, but at the age of 42 he has finally succumbed to the disease that has hovered over his life like a cloud, allowing him a few moments of sunshine but many moments of pain. Just enough time to build a musical dynasty and make an impact on the entertainment world that will not soon be forgotten.
When I think of Mobb Deep, I think of my high school years and pounding that city pavement. New York was like a maze back then, and you had to try to succeed and aim high while avoiding stickup kids, carjackers, jealous heat-holders, set-up girls, project wars, police and dirty detectives.
Of course you think of Queensbridge, the Housing Projects that birthed a culture of rap phenomenons including Mc Shan and Nas.
It was also the breeding ground for the experiences that Prodigy, who was from nearby Hempstead, Long Island, would make come to life for his audience with his unique way of using words and his aggressive, violent, yet thug intellectual approach.
To this day, when “Shook Ones” drops in a club, someone inevitably spazzes out off Havoc’s beats and Prodigy’s words, and the raw, real energy that is emitted when these born MC’s stepped into any arena or stage. It was the hit that put them on the map and their most memorable anthem, even featured in the final battle scene in “8 Mile,” the cult-classic film starring a young Eminem.
Once they figured out the formula for making hits, The Infamous Mobb Deep never stopped, and they were able to maintain their dignity, respect and high standing in the game by refusing to compromise their rugged musical personality in order to sell records or fit into a rap game that was going increasingly commercial by the day.
They had more beef than a slaughter house, did solo projects, had public disputes, lost friends to gun violence and tragic car accidents, and even went blow for blow with Tupac back in the knockin’ ’90s.
In this age of romper room rap in a watered down Hip-Hop culture, Mobb Deep still gets worldwide respect for delivering a tailor made, household sound that will reverberate for decades to come, with endless Hip-Hop quotables from a monster and Godfather in the game.
R.I.P. Prodigy.
