Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep was an American hip-hop duo formed in 1990 in Queens, New York. The group consisted of rappers, songwriters, and record producers Prodigy and Havoc. They were associated with East Coast hip-hop and are known for their influence within the genre. The duo sold over three million records and released several… Read moreShow less
Mobb Deep was an American hip-hop duo formed in 1990 in Queens, New York. The group consisted of rappers, songwriters, and record producers Prodigy and Havoc. They were associated with East Coast hip-hop and are known for their influence within the genre. The duo sold over three million records and released several successful albums, including "The Infamous" (1995), "Hell on Earth" (1996), and "Murda Muzik" (1999). Their best-known songs include "Shook Ones, Part II" and "Survival of the Fittest". Their music was noted for its dark production style and lyrical themes depicting urban life. Havoc and Prodigy met while attending the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. In 1990 they formed a duo under the name Poetical Prophets and began recording demo material. They promoted their music independently and eventually attracted the attention of Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, who introduced them to music industry figures including Chris Lighty. During this period Prodigy also recorded an uncredited appearance on the song "Too Young" by Hi-Five. In 1991, Poetical Prophets were featured in The Source magazine’s "Unsigned Hype" column, which helped raise their profile. The duo later changed their name to Mobb Deep. In 1992, Mobb Deep signed with 4th & B’way Records. They released the single "Peer Pressure" ahead of their debut album "Juvenile Hell", which was released in 1993 and included production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, and Kerwin Young. The following year Havoc appeared on the album "Enta da Stage" by Black Moon on the track "U da Man". The duo achieved wider recognition with their second album, "The Infamous", released in 1995. The album featured production primarily by Havoc with contributions from Q-Tip and included the single "Shook Ones, Part II". The album’s themes focused on life in the Queensbridge Houses, where Havoc grew up, and it later appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Mobb Deep released their third album, "Hell on Earth", in 1996, which debuted at number six on the Billboard album chart. The album included guest appearances by Nas and members of Wu-Tang Clan, including Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon. During the mid-1990s the duo was involved in the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry, responding to the song "New York, New York" by Tha Dogg Pound with the track "L.A. L.A." alongside Capone-N-Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi. Rapper Tupac Shakur later referred to Mobb Deep in several diss tracks, including "Hit 'Em Up" and "Against All Odds". Mobb Deep responded with the song "Drop a Gem on 'Em" from "Hell on Earth". In 1999, the duo released "Murda Muzik". The album’s release was delayed after several tracks were leaked through bootlegging, requiring additional recording. When officially released, the album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum. It included the single "Quiet Storm". In 2001, Mobb Deep released the album "Infamy". The single "Burn", featuring Vita, was interpreted by some commentators as a response to the song "Takeover" by Jay-Z. In 2003 the duo left Loud Records and released the mixtape "Free Agents: The Murda Mixtape". Later that year they signed with Jive Records and released the album "Amerikaz Nightmare" in 2004. In 2005, Mobb Deep signed with G-Unit Records. Their seventh studio album, "Blood Money", was released in 2006 and featured appearances by 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, Mary J. Blige, and Nate Dogg. That same year they became the first American hip-hop duo to perform in India as part of the VH1 event "Hip Hop Hustle". They left G-Unit in 2009. In 2011, the duo released the single "Dog Shit", featuring Nas. In 2012, Mobb Deep announced an indefinite hiatus following a public dispute between the members. The group reunited in 2013 and undertook a 20th anniversary tour. In 2014 they released their eighth studio album, "The Infamous Mobb Deep", a double album consisting of new material and previously unreleased recordings from the "The Infamous" sessions. Prodigy died on 20 June 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada, after choking while hospitalized for complications related to sickle cell anemia. In 2025, producer The Alchemist confirmed that he and Havoc were working on a new album titled "Infinite", with contributions from Nas. The album was released on 10 October 2025 and featured guest appearances by Clipse, Big Noyd, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Nas, Jorja Smith, and H.E.R. Mobb Deep have been associated with the popularization of the slang term "dunn", which appeared in the 1999 single "Quiet Storm". The duo also appeared as playable characters in the video game "Def Jam: Fight for NY", released in 2004. In 2019, Havoc undertook a "Murda Muzik 20th Anniversary Tour" with Big Noyd and L.E.S. in support of the album’s anniversary. 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) Infinite (2025)
