The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP

The Infamous Mobb Deep member, Prodigy, has not wasted any of his valuable time since being released from a prison sentence. His dedication to his music and his fans is as persistent as ever. He's released a new EP titled "The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson Story EP".

Since being incarcerated for three years on gun possession, the Queens, New York emcee has been working hard in the studio. Since his recent release, he's announced a book tour for "My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy", he's released some tracks, including a shocking one featuring Nas, and he's been in the studio with associates since as early as the first day of his release.

Who exactly is Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson?

Born on October 31, 1905 and died on July 7, 1968, Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson, was a mob boss and bookmaker in New York City's Harlem neighborhood. The main Harlem associate of the Genovese crime family, Johnson's criminal career has inspired films and television. Bumpy was the toast of Harlem, and became friends with many Harlem luminaries such as Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Sugar Ray Robinson. He also became sort of an unofficial crime boss of Harlem; no one could conduct criminal activities in his section of New York without first going through him.

Powered by Complex, the 7-track offering features a guest appearance from Havoc and production from Alchemist, Sid Roams, and King Benny.

The tracklist for Prodigy's "Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson Story EP" is listed below. DOWNLOAD HERE

1. The One & Only (Produced By Sid Roams)
2. Go Off (Produced By Sid Roams)
3. Black Devil (Produced By Sid Roams)
4. Twilight (Feat. Havoc) (Produced By Sid Roams)
5. For One Night Only (Produced By Alchemist)
6. Strong (Produced By King Benny)
7. Told Ya'll (Produced By Sid Roams) (Bonus)

UPDATE

Coodie travels with Lord Nez (Creative Control) to Queens, NY to visit Prodigy. The clip features appearances by Tony Yayo and snippets from "The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP". Quotes stuck on the walls full of motivation really display the enthusiasm, seriousness and dedication to the music.


WELCOME from Creative Control on Vimeo.

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.