Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is a gangsta rap and boom-bap group from Queensbridge, Queens, New York.
Queensbridge duo of Prodigy and Havoc whose dark, grimy The Infamous defined '90s New York street rap.
Who are Mobb Deep?
Mobb Deep is a duo from Queensbridge, New York: Prodigy (Albert Johnson) and Havoc (Kejuan Muchita). They met as teenagers at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. Prodigy died in 2017.
Known for
Their second album The Infamous (1995), with "Shook Ones (Part II)" and "Survival of the Fittest", is one of the defining records of East Coast hardcore rap. Hell on Earth (1996) and Murda Muzik (1999) continued the run, and "Shook Ones (Part II)" became one of the most famous rap songs ever, from battle rap to the final battle in 8 Mile.
Style
Dark, cold and claustrophobic. Havoc produced most of their beats: eerie piano loops, minimal samples and heavy drums. Over that, Prodigy and Havoc tell bleak, cinematic stories about life in the Queensbridge projects, without any glamour.
Impact
Mobb Deep set the standard for gritty New York street rap. Their sound and imagery influenced generations of rappers and producers, from 50 Cent to the Griselda crew.
Mobb Deep: quick answers
What genre is Mobb Deep?
Mobb Deep’s music falls under Gangsta Rap and Boom-Bap. Mobb Deep is part of East Coast hip-hop, with the most important work in the 1990s and 2000s.
Where do Mobb Deep come from?
Mobb Deep comes from Queensbridge, Queens, New York.
When did Mobb Deep start?
Mobb Deep has been active since 1991.
Which artists are similar to Mobb Deep?
Artists in the same genre as Mobb Deep: Raekwon, DMX, Foxy Brown, Kool G Rap and 50 Cent.
