Free At Last And Back In The Lab: Prodigy's Return

Ever since Prodigy, Grammy Award winning rapper and member of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep which also consists of Havoc, entered the industry, he took it by storm. Countless classic albums by Mobb Deep and Prodigy alone have solidified the Queensbridge duo as hip hop legends.

Havoc and Prodigy started rhyming in 1986, then later they both attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City. Havoc took the role of producer and secondary MC, while Prodigy assumed the position of primary MC. Originally dubbing themselves the Poetical Profits, the duo later changed its name to Mobb Deep in order to "reflect their reputation on the streets." To this fan, Mobb Deep is perhaps one of the greatest hard-core East Coast hip-hop groups of all times. Prodigy and Havoc are best known for their dark and hardcore delivery, gritty instrumentals and their never-ending vivid exploitation of the harsh realities in today's ghetto neighbourhoods. Below are two of my favourite Mobb Deep videos; Shook Ones Part II and Quiet Storm. Quiet Storm is probably in my top 5 videos of all time.

Mobb Deep as a group have released 9 albums: Juvenile Hell (1993), The Infamous (1995), Hell on Earth (1996), Murda Muzik (1999), Infamy (2001), Amerikaz Nightmare (2004), Blood Money (2006), The Infamous Archives (2007), The Safe Is Cracked (2009).


Recently, Prodigy served a three-year prison sentence in a midstate correctional facility. He was officially released on March 7, 2011.

Prodigy comes from a musical family—his grandfather, Budd Johnson, and his uncle Keg Johnson are remembered for their contributions to the Bebop era of jazz. In the year 2000, Prodigy took a temporary break from the group and released his first solo effort. "H.N.I.C." which stands as an acronym for "Head N**** In Charge". Prodigy enlisted a number of producers for the album, including The Alchemist, EZ Elpee, Rockwilder, Just Blaze and his Mobb Deep partner Havoc. The single "Keep It Thoro" (embedded below) received moderate video and radio rotation. A sequel, H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 was released April 22, 2008.



Since his release from prison, Prodigy has been locked up inside the studio with Havoc, close affiliate The Alchemist, a hip hop producer, DJ and rapper from Beverly Hills, California. I stumbled upon a UStream of Prodigy in the booth and the excitement became a constant build up until I saw Prodigy enter the recording booth and start reciting these rhymes that had me reminiscing the old Prodigy. A new song has been released titled, "Dog Shit" which features previous affiliate turned enemy and now friend, Nas.



It feels like it's the return of the late 90's. Keep your eyes out for new music by Mobb Deep and Prodigy.

Cormega: Born And Raised

New York is known for producing some of the greatest lyricist to ever grace the crust of a struggle-filled planet full of soul and charisma, Hip Hop. Filled with artists putting together tongue twisting figurative language, with unforgettable style and tales filled with emotion, character, heart breaks and the mind of poverty.


Havoc of Mobb Deep (left) & Cormega (Right)

Enter Cormega, a Hip Hop artist, born in Bedford-Stuyvesant but grew up in the Queensbridge Housing Projects in Long Island City, Queens. Growing up he formed childhood friendships with future artists such as future nemesis Nas, the legendary duo of Mobb Deep, Nature and duo of Capone-N-Noreaga. When he was 4, Cormega witnessed his mother being murdered. Jail sentences and other unfortunate events put a hold to his ambitions of pursuing a rapping career. Nas directed a great amount of awareness towards Cormega in his song "One Love".


Nas - One Love

A later collaboration with Nas led to the creation of the rap group, The Firm, which also consisted of Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown. Disagreements with Steve Stoute led to Cormega being ousted of the group and replaced by Nature. A fallout quickly happened and friendships were ruined. Since then Nas and Cormega have reunited and settled their difference. The Firm went to release one album titled "The Album" that revolved around mafioso rap-themes, and featured notable production work from Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters.


Nas, AZ, Cormega and Foxy Brown (The Firm) - Affirmative Action

Cormega is one of those underrated artists from the golden era who was never able to break through and capitalize like his childhood friends. He is a lyrical magician with an incredible story to tell. Born and Raised is the fifth studio album he's released. It was released on October 20, 2009, after suffering several delays; the album was originally titled Urban Legend but was changed to Born and Raised after rapper T.I. used the original title for his 2004 release. The album has been met with mostly positive reviews from both fans and critics so far.

He has recently released a cool video for one of my favourite songs on the album, Rapture. The songs features Cormega vividly painting on a canvas of experiences and attitude. A story of nothing to something.


Cormega "Rapture" from Q-Butta on Vimeo.

J.Cole: Untapping The Potential

J. Cole, is an American Hip Hop recording artists and producer, who was the first artist that was signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation, management, music publishing and entertainment company. Roc Nation has expanded it's roster and has become home to some incredible talents; Hugo, Willow Smith, Jay Electronica, Rita Ora, Bridget Kelly, Alexis Jordan, Blaze Bogatinov, Sean Garret, Nebo Uyanwah and K. Koke. The label also manages Rihanna, Wale, Melanie Fiona, No I.D, Solange Knowles and etc.

Back to the German born Fayetteville, North Carolina resider who has worked his way to becoming one of the best word-smiths in the Hip Hop community. J. Cole is often compared to Nas, despite being Jay-Z's Protege, and in fact the comparisons to the Queensbridge living legend are quite right. Cole presents a confident flow packed with witty figurative speech that leaves listeners nodding their heads, pausing and rewinding his music. He finds a way to analyze his feelings that is undeniably heartfelt and create an elemental bond with his listeners.

J. Cole is quite the prospect. He is symbolized as the one artist who will finally bring back intelligence and creativity to the Hip Hop mainstream world. He still has a long way to go. He needs to find his way into the radar of mainstream with out selling out and maintaining his unique identity. He had the perfect opportunity to and here's how he passed it up.

One of my favorite songs by J. Cole is titled "In The Morning" and recently he released a remix that features Drake. The theme of the song goes hand to hand with the vibe provided by the instrumental. This is one of those songs that when you listen to it, you imagine a video for it. You visualize yourself in this video.

The video released definitely wasn't what I expected. I was in fact greatly disappointed that two artists of their potential would release such a visually weak video. Drake has a resume of releasing uncreative videos except for "Find Your Love" (we're still waiting for the continuation). I didn't think that J. Cole was going to disappoint the same way.

Is music really as strong as it's visuals? Yes, there are times where the video completes the music. Look at Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" and understand that visuals should be as important as the actual music. I know that mentioning Michael Jackson isn't a fair comparison but J. Cole truly has the potential to be someone with a great legacy. Let's hope that his other songs such as, "Light's Please" and "Higher" receive a better treatment.



J. Cole and Drake - In The Morning Remix

I still prefer the original version of the song over the remix.


J. Cole - In The Morning

Cassettes: The Dead Culture

Jonathan Mannion, photographer and director, has captured some of today’s most influential artists to retell their experiences with making mixtapes. This gave birth to TDK Life on Record Chronicles film series. The series provide a rare look into the lives of these artists that reveals their love of music through songs and stories from their pasts.

"The Strokes – Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond, Jr., Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti – each member of the band touched on their love of music and experiences creating homemade mixtapes."


Nas, the living legend, drives down memory lane and reflects on his early life in the Queensbridge housing projects and memories of making and collecting mixtapes, plus mentions a few of his musical influences (Tribe Called Quest, MC Shan, Kurtis Blow & Queen, and etc.)

"Each one contained a story, a struggle and captured a moment in time. Each song stood for something; it was there for a reason. The mixtape had mythical powers, it could: impress a girl, make you look cool, make you look weird, keep you up at night, and it could even keep you from going to the bathroom while you waited for that one song you needed to come on the radio. Not to mention, naming the thing – the perfect name, written with the perfect pen in your imperfect handwriting…" - Jonathan Mannion

Raje Shwari: Uncredited

Raje Shwari, Indian born, is an American contemporary R&B and Indian music singer and songwriter. She has appeared on several songs by hip hop musicians. She was signed to Beat Club Records by Timbaland but is no longer with the label because she didn't renew her contract due to their differences. Actually I'd be pretty mad if I did work for some major artists and never received the recognition I should of have.

Why am I doing a post on her? It's pretty simple, let me post the songs she's laid vocals on and you should understand why.


Slum Village & Miss Jade - Disco (She makes a cameo in the video plus she's singing)


Jay-Z & Kanye West - The Bounce (Yeah, it's her again)


Nas & Pharrell - Angel The Flyest (Yes Yes)


Petey Pablo & Raje Shwari - Country Style

Of course there are probably other songs which she had laid her vocals on. I must tell you this that her voice in the background gives the songs such of an authentic vibe. I find it really cool. Also, I didn't post "Indian Flute" because it's already on this blog.

Oh to answer why I posted her it's because Slum Village, Jay-Z, Kanye, Nas & Pharrell are some of my favourite artists.

That New York Ish has a Foul Breeze

Check out as these dope MC's manhandle this Faded Lady sample performed by Soul Sensual Orchestra.




Busta Rhymes - New York ...





Nas - Foul Breeze