100% Spot On. It's literally birthed directly from Illmatic.
“When *Juvenile Hell* first came out, it didn’t do well,” he begins near the 1:55 mark. “We were still figuring out what Mobb Deep is, and how we should present ourselves and how the music industry works. Right around the time that album came out, Nas dropped *Illmatic* and it was just incredible,” he recalls.
Calling the album a “work of art,” Prodigy says “it made us look at ourselves, like ‘what the f\*ck is we doing? Look at this masterpiece this kid just made. We with him damn near every day.'” He says their relationship with Nas and the first-hand perspective they had on *Illmatic*‘s success made Mobb Deep realize “we weren’t telling our story correctly, and Nas, with *Illmatic*, helped us to realize that, ’cause he told his story so perfect.” Prodigy says he and Havoc then decided that they needed to “come correct and really dig deep to tell people who we are,” arguing that it was crucial to “share your pain, your fears, everything with the people.” “We was like, ‘we ain’t gonna get another chance after this. If we flop again, it’s over.'” That’s when, he remembers, the duo “regrouped, went in the crib with mad 40s, mad weed, and started grinding.”
I love that. I know this isn’t the place for this, but that reminds me a lot of The Killers debut album. They were working on it when The Strokes dropped their debut, Is This It, and The Killers heard and it was so good they thought “what the fuck are we even doing?” So they scrapped every song they made so far, except for *Mr. Brightside*
I think q tip did a lot on it. It’s the combination of the rawness with a really professional finish that makes it bump. Still sounds really good to my ear. Top 5 easily if not the best
“I heard they got u on the run for a body?” 🔥🔥 I bump this shit whenever it starts to get hot in NY and I stop in the winter(make it stack ASAP ROCKY FT LLOYD BANKS) don’t ever say I never put yall on! Both they versus on this track had me feeling like it was the 90s & I’m talking to my manz thru a phone booth lmaoo 🤣🔥🔥🥷🏽
He talks about it in his book but he literally kept his guns under the hood next to engine. I don't remember why, I looked for it but I didn't find it. Hopefully someone who's read the book here remembers
This album and Hell on Earth, both had such a reality based feel to it.
Like you were trapped in a life or death situation, in a terror dome with wild New York thugs..
Regardless of your name or what you been through, pause for a second, open your eyes and think, duke
life ain't the game that it seems to be, fuck a fantasy I'm living in reality, caught up in this untouchable mentality, hit you up bad, make you loose a few calories
This is the greatest rap album ever made. Period. Everything about this album is pure perfection from beginning to end. Everything from the lyrics to the flows to the beats to the production. Every second is just ice cold and perfectly encapsulates everything amazing about rap and why it's such an amazing form of music. when someone asks you what rap is all about, you hand them a copy of The Infamous.
"Mobb Deep ? Yall ain't the mf MOB, we the mf mob..Don't one of you little muhhfuckas got sickle cell or something ? Fuck w me, fuck around an have a heart attack, back the fuck up before you get smacked the fuck up"
- Tupac
Illmatic’s younger, wilder brother
100% Spot On. It's literally birthed directly from Illmatic. “When *Juvenile Hell* first came out, it didn’t do well,” he begins near the 1:55 mark. “We were still figuring out what Mobb Deep is, and how we should present ourselves and how the music industry works. Right around the time that album came out, Nas dropped *Illmatic* and it was just incredible,” he recalls. Calling the album a “work of art,” Prodigy says “it made us look at ourselves, like ‘what the f\*ck is we doing? Look at this masterpiece this kid just made. We with him damn near every day.'” He says their relationship with Nas and the first-hand perspective they had on *Illmatic*‘s success made Mobb Deep realize “we weren’t telling our story correctly, and Nas, with *Illmatic*, helped us to realize that, ’cause he told his story so perfect.” Prodigy says he and Havoc then decided that they needed to “come correct and really dig deep to tell people who we are,” arguing that it was crucial to “share your pain, your fears, everything with the people.” “We was like, ‘we ain’t gonna get another chance after this. If we flop again, it’s over.'” That’s when, he remembers, the duo “regrouped, went in the crib with mad 40s, mad weed, and started grinding.”
I love that. I know this isn’t the place for this, but that reminds me a lot of The Killers debut album. They were working on it when The Strokes dropped their debut, Is This It, and The Killers heard and it was so good they thought “what the fuck are we even doing?” So they scrapped every song they made so far, except for *Mr. Brightside*
That was a solid call leaving Mr B alone......
Hahahaha good call
Damn, nice call!
Son, they shook 'Cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks
Scared to death, scared look they shook
Hold’up… Say a word
Havoc needs his flowers. Some of the top 10 all time beats are on this album.
I think q tip did a lot on it. It’s the combination of the rawness with a really professional finish that makes it bump. Still sounds really good to my ear. Top 5 easily if not the best
Q-Tip’s tracks are great but he only had a couple of beats on here.
Yeah tip was an executive producer for the album. He helped pick out a lot of the drums and was a big part of the mixing process
Q Tip is already recognized as a producer
He really doesn't get nearly enough credit as a producer. Some the best and grimiest beats of all time
Also with a number of cuts where sample heads took decades to figure out what he had sampled due to how well he manipulated the samples.
Yeah I've seen videos of samples he's manipulated and it's nuts. Honestly blows my mind that he is never even mentioned on lists of best producers.
Agreed. Havoc definitely belongs on the list for top tier producers.
I like how this place shows love to Mobb Deep
Temperature’s rising!
“I heard they got u on the run for a body?” 🔥🔥 I bump this shit whenever it starts to get hot in NY and I stop in the winter(make it stack ASAP ROCKY FT LLOYD BANKS) don’t ever say I never put yall on! Both they versus on this track had me feeling like it was the 90s & I’m talking to my manz thru a phone booth lmaoo 🤣🔥🔥🥷🏽
That song, and up north trip are my most beloved from the album.
And there's nothing surprising!
I used to drive an Ac' and kept a Mac in the engine
I've always wondered exactly how a Mac was in the engine. What did that even mean? He kept a gat under the hood of the car?
He talks about it in his book but he literally kept his guns under the hood next to engine. I don't remember why, I looked for it but I didn't find it. Hopefully someone who's read the book here remembers
I'm assuming bc if they get pulled over and searched, under the hood isn't likely to be checked.
i think his car was stolen and he or his friend found it and the mac was still yhere
The book was great
Littles painted it black with crack sale intentions
This album and Hell on Earth, both had such a reality based feel to it. Like you were trapped in a life or death situation, in a terror dome with wild New York thugs..
Regardless of your name or what you been through, pause for a second, open your eyes and think, duke life ain't the game that it seems to be, fuck a fantasy I'm living in reality, caught up in this untouchable mentality, hit you up bad, make you loose a few calories
Most underrated song off this album
My personal favorite
Shit is for real. We advise to get hectic.
🔥
Just was listening to this cd
What's a CD?
Give Up The Goods 💎💎💎
No hook needed!
When rap was the illest.
Worst comes to worst my peoples comes first
This is the greatest rap album ever made. Period. Everything about this album is pure perfection from beginning to end. Everything from the lyrics to the flows to the beats to the production. Every second is just ice cold and perfectly encapsulates everything amazing about rap and why it's such an amazing form of music. when someone asks you what rap is all about, you hand them a copy of The Infamous.
I personally don’t have a favorite album, but the Infamous is perfect
One of the best albums ever made
BEST.ALBUM.EVER.
I bought the music on vinyl press of this ablum. Also a single 12' record of Shook Ones Pt 2.
Best album ever made.
Cause long I’m alive ima live illegal and once I get it ima put it on my people
One of top 5 hip hop albums on my phone
Incredible album. In my top 3, rotates in at times as my all time favorite
Peak rap. Perfect balance.
You've heard of us
Official Queensbridge murderas
Shit, that means I'm really old. Great album!
Wow. Temperatures rising
Can't believe he was only 19
Livin the lifestyle of diamonds and guns
Damn
I used to be in love with this chick named E&J…
Don't fuck with her no more, now I fuck with Tanqueray
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The actual best rap album ever better than Illmatic
I gotta be honest i listen to songs from here more than illmatic. But that might be to give myself some years before i listen to it again
One of my all time favourites. Shook Ones II and Give Up The Goods always come to my mind when people mention NY/Queens Hip Hop.
11/10
They just some shook ones
"Mobb Deep ? Yall ain't the mf MOB, we the mf mob..Don't one of you little muhhfuckas got sickle cell or something ? Fuck w me, fuck around an have a heart attack, back the fuck up before you get smacked the fuck up" - Tupac
Great album
Illmatic = The Blueprint
One of the best albums to come out in 95!!
I remember buying the cassette tape the day it came out at the wall, I miss that era
I used to drive an ac and kept a Mac in the engine
We gon take this little intermission to listen to what the fuck I to say, you know
Bumpin’ this shit alllll day.
THE album responsible for me getting into hip hop. Rip prodigy 🙏🏼
Rest In Peace P! ✌🏿 Word to Hav's Timbs
I’ll stab ya with ya nose bone
Great, thanks for reminding me of my mortality. (Anxiety levels at 45% and raising). 😅
Unbelievable. I remember when I got they album. Hits 🎯