Prodigy: The Trailblazing NY Hip-Hop Icon
The world of hip-hop mourns the death of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy
On June 20th, we lost one of the hip-hop world’s greatest legends: Albert “Prodigy” Johnson of Mobb Deep.
There were many rap icons from the 90s, especially from the New York Metro area. A lot of them died and didn’t make it out of the 90s, while others faded into the sunsets of retirement or went to greener pastures in different industries. There were only a few who maintained the hustle of the game.
“I got you stuck off the realness / we be the infamous / you heard of us / official Queensbridge murderers”
True to his name, P stood out in that handful. Despite battling sickle cell anemia from birth, a broken home in his early childhood, and depression both during and after his stint in prison, Prodigy will go down as one of the most influential heavy weights in rap history. He’s best known from his days with Havoc in the rap group Mobb Deep, and their most celebrated single “Shook Ones, Pt. II.”
P’s childhood home in the Queensbridge Houses has remained the same through the years. The compact, yet largest public housing development in North America raised and produced Prodigy, along with some of New York’s other iconic emcees — Nas, Marley Marl, MC Shan, Cormega, and even NBA champion Ron Artest, to name a few.
Prodigy is one of the greatest icons in rap history. The man’s life story was nothing short of astounding, and it influenced generations of artists who’ve attempted to emulate his lyrical intricacies and bravado. P wasn’t just a master of 90s gangsta rap. He weaved in a discernible passion in each track that resonated with his audience — and still does.
“Life is a gamble, we scramble for money/ I might crack a smile, but ain’t a damn thing funny.”
