Everyone wants to know how the riff between the Jiggaman and the Infamous ones will continue, but when asked how tired they are of answering the same old questions about Jay-Z, Mobb Deep offered subtle smirks and an acknowledging chuckle. Prodigy, lyricist extraordinaire, and Havoc, emcee and creator of beats, have more on their minds than mudslinging, and they want you to know it. Infamy, their fourth album, hits stores on December 11.
Coming out of Queensbridge, building a worldwide fan base, remaining true to their genre, and experimenting with subject and acoustic material for over a decade has propelled their success, and garnered widespread, well-earned respect for the two man team. Although they admit the realism of their music is created by the authentic perspective of firsthand observation, as well as active participation in the harder side of life, according to Havoc, “what would really surprise people most about us is that we’re laid back guys.”
Mobb Deep can afford to be a little laid back, having survived experiences in both the complex worlds of street life and the music business. They demonstrate staying power on the strength of their past albums. When asked what the remarkably young vets of the industry want to be different about the business, Prodigy quickly answered, “I would say the money we get paid for our albums being sold… They need to make a law about that, like how they did that back in the days with kids acting in film. They need to make a new law about niggas’ royalties and s***. Niggas is gettin’ nothin.’ They need to bring that up.” Havoc agrees, emphasizing his disgust with payola. However, these drawbacks appear to be outweighed by the perks of being recognized for their work.
In the early 90’s, the “Stretch Armstrong / Bobbito Show,” on Columbia University’s WKCR, first introduced Mobb Deep to the world. They subsequently, maintained a substantial following with an unwavering underground and college radio base they respect to this day. Havoc explains, “I love underground radio. It gives people a chance. They don’t discriminate.” Havoc remains displeased with the politics of commercial radio because artists become too influenced. “(Artists) catering to commercial radio is not a good thing, ’cause they’re depriving themselves of being themselves…They’re chasing the dough. That’s not what rap’s all about. You got to be in this for the love.”
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Mobb Deep’s following extends as far as England, France, and Germany, where they’ve been warmly received at concerts, and recognized on the streets. Rap connoisseurs from as far as Korea are feelin’ Mobb Deep. “We was in the soundtrack studio (in New York) one day, and I was coming out of the elevator with one of them (a member of a Korean rap group),” explains Prodigy. “He told me he was around the corner and he wanted me to do a song. So I was like, ‘aight, cool.’ His manager came to kick it with me, and they gave me some paper right there, and I just did it.”
Despite their many years in the music industry, Mobb Deep truly appreciate fans here and abroad. However, their international fans surprise them when they show love at concerts. Prodigy affirms, “Them niggas is just the serious fans. They got shirts from ’92. They got the stickers you never seen…Some of ’em, a lot of times they know the words and they can’t speak English. They could say every word of our song though”. Havoc adds, “We ain’t really never hooked up no international rappers to do music, so we definitely gonna do that in the future.” Havoc also keeps an open ear for sampling foreign music.
Although Mobb Deep enjoy performing at major venues like Madison Square Garden and The Apollo, Havoc describes the cozy appeal of smaller clubs. “It feels more personal. It makes me feel good to know that we’re shown that much love. No matter how big they try to say we get, we doin’ these little venues. We showin’ love back, ’cause without the fans, there wouldn’t be no us.”
Their love for the fans is cool because the Infamous Mobb remember when they were on the other side of the stage. Back in the day, the Juice Crew and Run-DMC were among their favorites. Somewhere between then and now, collaboration with Nas and Run came to fruition with the song “Queen’s Day.” “I seen Run on Jamaica Avenue one day,” Prodigy reminisces. “He’s like, ‘Y’all come into the studio and get on this song real quick.’ I was like, ‘Hell yeah.’ I went right up there and did that s***.”
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Before they were Mobb Deep, Havoc, a.k.a. Kejuan Muchita, and Prodigy, a.k.a. Albert Johnson, met in the High School of Art and Design. “I still draw here and there,” confesses Havoc. Both men have input in the cover art and package design of their albums. On Prodigy’s solo release, H.N.I.C., he chose the Graffiti Hall of Fame, in Spanish Harlem, for his cover. “Soon as I seen that park, I was like, ‘That’s where I’m taking my picture at, right there.’ I wanted some colorful s*** like that behind me, so it’ll stand out in the store.”
Even though Mobb Deep is now seen and heard like never before, having success has definitely taught them as much as earning it. Prodigy’s advice to kids who may be where he and Havoc were, growing up in the projects, is no joke. “Just be smart. Everybody is not your friend… You’re in life to take care of your future, man, for yourself. Friends are hard to come by and they’re few.” Havoc’s advice is equally true. “Hold your head in any situation. Always try to remember right from wrong. Be your own person. Make your own decisions. Make that bed. You have to lay in it. Whatever you plan on doin’, just don’t forget about that.”
Havoc and Prodigy, although both 27, sound like men with twice as many years behind them. Still, they’re not preachy, simply as honest as their music. Prodigy describes why he chose to show a very personal part of his life on “You Can Never Feel My Pain,” off the album H.N.I.C. “At the time, a lot of songs comin’ out were sayin’ pain. A lot of people were sayin’ pain in songs, man, and I was listening to them. I was just like, ‘Let me express my kind of pain on a song real quick.” Fortunately, Prodigy keeps his health in check.
“Hey Luv (Anything),” Mobb Deep’s first single off their new album Infamy, deals with the lighter subject of relationships. “It’s definitely dedicated to that special lady,” offers Prodigy, with a smile. With successful careers, their own families, and a new album dropping before Christmas, Mobb Deep have a lot to smile about.
