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Haven’t had a chance to check this one out yet (just been made available today, so give me a chance!) but I’m sure quality wise it does the job. Production credits goes towards the likes of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Havoc, with features from French Montana, Cory Gunz and more. Download below.
A dark, intense production signals an immediate return to the classic Mobb Deep sound, with bleak synths, creepy organ samples and crashing percussion combining for a hard-hitting beat that feels both familiar and refreshing simultaneously. The raps are aggressive enough to capitalise on the production without being too abrasive, as both Prodigy and Havoc come through sounding hungry and focused, whilst the distorted Bounty Killer vocal sample finishes things off by enhancing the eerie atmosphere on the track. It’s great to have Mobb back, and this is a welcome injection into a hip-hop scene really lacking this gritty sort of material.
Prodigy assumes hook duty, including a rather surprising ‘put your diamonds in the sky’ line given Mobb’s tumultuous history with Jay-Z, alongside a solid verse with a laidback, mellow delivery that contrasts favourably with the intense, lively production. Electronica’s verses are enjoyable too, with some strong lines showing a little more self-awareness and timestamping, with his acknowledgment of the mythical nature of his ‘upcoming’ debut album being notable, as he cleverly spins the Detox comparisons in a more favourable manner. Not quite as spectacular a track as I’d expected, but a very simple, effective slice of hip-hop that will get some plays. One thing you can’t deny about P is that the man loves to talk. Sometimes a lot of sense, sometimes a lot of nonsense. Since leaving the Pen he’s been reconnecting with old friends, releasing his book, working on the new Mobb Deep LP and doing so many interviews even bloggers such as myself struggle to keep up. I remember watching 50 Cent interviewed on ‘The View’ and watching him be interviewed by a female panel brought out a totally different, perhaps more genuine side of him. Much the same can be said about P here and it has to be said that prison seems to really have straightened him out. He talks about his diet (and his illness), doing lots of exercise and just getting his mind right. It really shows and let’s just hope he can get things right on the mic again.
Prodigy flows impeccably over Frank Ocean’s brilliant Novacane beat, the very same beat Joe Budden used to record Ordinary Love Shit Pt. 3, a beat which just so happens to fit the style of Prodigy/Mobb Deep perfectly. Up North Service is a laid back, romantic, “gangster love” song, with a pulsating, hypnotic beat and Prodigy laying his feelings bare with solid raps. MTV sit down with Nasir to talk about P’s new book, squashing the beef once P left prison and whether there are any more collaborations in the works. Don’t want to divulge too much more information as it will ruin the interview for you, but if you haven’t done so already then get your hands on that Mobb Deep/Nas’ Dog Shit joint. Nas says he’s back in the studio again too…
Mobb Deep’s Prodigy certainly can’t be accused of slacking since being released from his prison stint, and he comes through with his first official full project since that release. We’ve caught one or two tracks and videos in recent weeks, though it appears none of them (or at least none I’ve come across) were destined for this EP. Can’t really complain about that as its always nice grabbing a bunch of unheard tracks, especially from someone whose reputation is certainly benefitting from that novelty of ‘finally being home’. Download courtesy of Complex below.
Al serves up a haunting production comprised of creeping keys, intense synths and a quiet yet threatening production, all combining to set up the dark, gritty sort of backdrop that suits Mobb so well. The raps are fitting from the duo, with sombre deliveries highlighted that soft, quiet threat of the production, and Nas comes through with a short but enjoyable verse of his own. The hip-hop heads know not to question a line-up of this calibre, and it certainly delivers the kind of hip-hop I’ve not heard in quite some time. Words I did not expect to hear in this interview: “Banking system.” Here we have P’s first interview since leaving the pen where he speaks on what he’s been up to inside (reading, writing, blogging, getting healthy), Jay-Z and his illuminati connections, Obama and American politics. P comes across really well in this interview and shows he’s got much more going on upstairs than he sometimes leads people to believe. Welcome home P. We’ve seen the pictures, now here’s some footage from Havoc and his recently-released partner in crime Prodigy back in the studio tearing it up again. The real question on all Mobb Deep fan’s minds is what Mobb Deep we are going to get from now on? Before P went to jail, releases such as his anticipated H.N.I.C.2 and the unexpected Product Of The 80′s saw P returning to that signature, gutter QB sound which the Mobb pioneered. However, we all know what went before; the nightmare which was G-Unit Records and 2006′s Blood Money. Giving Raekwon a call might not be such a bad idea… Let’s hope P got that fire back in his belly after his stint in the pen! Mobb Deep’s Prodigy is finally home after a 3 year sentence for fire-arms possession. Here is the first footage from P, straight after leaving the pen. Worth checking Havoc and long-time collaborator Alchemist’s Twitters for updates. Check out the pictures of P already back in the studio! Clicky. Welcome home Prodigy.
Can’t wait for the two to get back in the booth together and expect (hope) to see a fired up Prodigy with lots of new gutter material to satisfy his loyal Mobb Deep fans. Hope H can bring the heaters on production too, with his last killer beat probably this one.
First off, apologies this week’s Hate Is The New Love is two days late. But I wanted to make sure I got this one on point because it’s an important part of hip-hop history. Now, there’s a lot to take in this week so concentrate. One of the most celebrated, controversial and contested rivalries since the West Coast / East Coast feud involved mainstream heavyweight Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and the critically acclaimed, fans favourite Nasir “Nas” Jones. → Continue Reading Hate Is The New Love: Nas vs Jay-Z
This is a track recorded by Mobb Deep’s Prodigy over the phone, whilst still incarcerated. No matter what, that’s pretty dope and I’m not sure many other rappers would show that sort of dedication. It doesn’t really come any more legit than recording from prison, and Prodigy drops some decent rhymes on this. One for the real hip-hop heads.
Into this week’s business. What many people don’t realise is that 2Pac and Biggie’s feud wasn’t just exclusive to them. Hip-hop’s most infamous rivalry spilled into studios with artists who had never even worked with the originators, feeling their dignity had been violated and now wanted their shit on record. The beef started when Tha Dogg Pound’s New York, New York filtered over to the East Coast. Mobb Deep took offence and responded with Queensbridge counterparts Tragedy Khadafi and Capone-N-Noreaga on LA, LA. Although both tracks call out their opposite coasts to ‘come outta town’, at this point, things were still rather innocuous…
One of the very few decent tracks from his sophomore album, Rotten Apple, Banks enlisted fellow G-Unit label mates Mobb Deep on this track to great effect. The production talents of Havoc, along with Prodigy’s lyrical grittiness are a perfect compliment to Banks’ own style. Mobb Deep fans in particular should definitely get the track below, as well as those who love New York Hip Hop.
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