Prodigy (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Lance Albert Johnson Banks, (born November 2, 1974) better known as Prodigy, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...

.

He was born to parents of Ethiopian-Jamaican decent, and is the great-great-grandson of the founder of Morehouse College
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....

. Prodigy was born with sickle cell anemia and has suffered from the disease throughout his life.

Debut album

Born in Hempstead
Hempstead
Hempstead may refer to:PlacesIn England:*Hempstead, Essex*Hempstead, Kent*Hempstead, near Holt, Norfolk*Hempstead, near Stalham, Norfolk*Hemel Hempstead, HertfordshireIn the United States:*Hempstead County, Arkansas...

, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, Prodigy became a member of the duo Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...

. He comes from a musical family—his grandfather, Budd Johnson
Budd Johnson
Not to be confused with Buddy Johnson.Budd Johnson was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who worked extensively with Ben Webster, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Earl Hines, among others.-Biography:He initially played...

, and his uncle Keg Johnson
Keg Johnson
Frederic Homer Johnson was a jazz trombonist.He was born in Dallas, Texas 19 November 1908. His father was a choir director there and also worked at a local Studebaker plant where Keg also worked for a while....

 are remembered for their contributions to the Bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...

 era of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...

. His mother, Fatima Frances Collins, sang in The Crystals
The Crystals
The Crystals are an American vocal group based in New York, considered one of the defining acts of the girl group era of the first half of the 1960s. Their 1961–1964 chart hits, including "Uptown", "He's a Rebel", "Da Doo Ron Ron " and "Then He Kissed Me", featured three successive female lead...

 and recorded such hits as “Da Doo Ron Ron
Da Doo Ron Ron
"Da Doo Ron Ron" is a 1963 hit single by The Crystals, produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector. The drummer was Hal Blaine....

” and “Then He Kissed Me
Then He Kissed Me
"Then He Kissed Me" is a song written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. The song was released as a single in September 1963 by The Crystals. It is a narrative of a young woman's encounter, romance, and eventual marriage with a fellow youth. The single is one of The Crystals' most...

”. Propelled to awareness partially by fellow rapper Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...

, who took a similar approach lyrically on his Illmatic
Illmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...

 album from 1994, as well as with the aid of a successful single, "Shook Ones Pt. 2," Mobb Deep released The Infamous
The Infamous
Upon its release, The Infamous earned critical acclaim and was widely considered to be a cornerstone album of New York hardcore rap. Rolling Stone magazine originally rated the album 3½ out of 5 stars, and called it "a darkly nihilistic masterpiece". It, however, gave it a 5 out of 5 star rating in...

. A year later, in 1996, Prodigy and Havoc released Hell on Earth; debuting at number six on SoundScan the album was composed with both evocative beats and cinematic rhymes that communicated the dark side of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

's urban landscape. Due to a grim video for "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" and theatrical Scarface
Scarface (1983 film)
Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, produced by Martin Bregman and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...

-like photos inside the CD booklet picturing the duo with guns and a mound of cocaine, Mobb Deep had created an elaborate image for themselves that took hardcore
Hardcore hip hop
Hardcore hip hop, also referred to as hardcore rap, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that developed through the East Coast hip hop scene in the 1980s. Pioneered by such artists as Schoolly D, Spoonie Gee, Boogie Down Productions, and Kool G Rap, it is generally characterized by anger, aggression and...

 gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...

 to a new level for East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...

. Its next release, Murda Muzik, was heavily bootlegged while still in its demo stage, leaking, onto the streets and over the internet, rough versions of the nearly 30 songs the duo had recorded ..

Recent events

In December 2000 Prodigy was robbed of jewelry with a value of 343,000 dollars. This happened in his old neighborhood while shooting a video in Queens NY.
He completed work on his third solo album H.N.I.C. Part 2, which was previewed on his official mixtape The Return of the Mac on the independent label Koch Records
Koch Records
E1 Music , the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe under the name E1 Universal...

. The mixtape single and mixtape video are called "Mac 10 Handle,". H.N.I.C. Pt. 2
H.N.I.C. Pt. 2
-Collector's Edition:...

 was released through Voxonic Inc., of which Prodigy is an equity
Stock
The capital stock of a business entity represents the original capital paid into or invested in the business by its founders. It serves as a security for the creditors of a business since it cannot be withdrawn to the detriment of the creditors...

 holder. In late 2009, Mobb Deep was released from its contract with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...

's G-Unit
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...

 label. He recently served a three-year sentence in Mid-State
Mid-State Correctional Facility
Mid-State Correctional Facility is located between the cities of Rome and Utica in New York State.Before Mid-State was a prison, it was a hospital for both the mentally ill and mentally handicapped. There was a so called “25-year building spree” in the prison system, when the number of prisoners...

 medium-security prison, following a plea agreement stemming from a gun-possession charge. He was officially released on March 7, 2011.

Prodigy released an autobiography during spring 2011 entitled My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy. It was co-written with Laura Checkoway and was published by Touchstone Books.

Prodigy was recently featured in the 2011 documentary Rhyme and Punishment a film that documents Hip-Hop artists who have been incarcerated. The film documents Prodigy's trial and his last days before starting his prison sentence.

During 2011, Prodigy released a free EP called The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP which is his first project since being released from prison.

On April 21, a song titled "The Type", with Curren$y
Currensy
Shante Scott Franklin, born April 4, 1981, better known by his stage name Curren$y, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana.-Early career:...

, was released on Curren$y's free album, entitled Covert Coup.

2Pac

In 1993 to 1997, the media-fueled "East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry
East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry
The East Coast–West Coast Hip Hop Rivalry was a feud in the 1990s between artists and fans of the Eastcoast and Westcoast hip-hop scenes. Seeming focal points of the feud were East Coast-based rapper The Notorious B.I.G...

" was occurring. This "beef" started when Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound is a rap group made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success. The group made their 1992 rap debut on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, on various songs. They also appeared on Snoop Dogg's debut album...

 released "New York, New York," to which Mobb Deep took offense as, in addition to the lyrics, the song's music video portrayed New York buildings being stomped on by Dogg Pound members. In response, Mobb Deep with Capone-N-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga was an American hip hop duo that consisted of Capone and Noreaga.-History:In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column...

 and Tragedy Khadafi
Tragedy Khadafi
Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,...

 released "LA, LA". 2Pac
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...

 "dissed" Mobb Deep (along with The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...

) in "Hit 'Em Up
Hit 'Em Up
"Hit 'Em Up" is a diss song by rap artist 2Pac , featuring his group the Outlawz. It is the B-side to the single "How Do U Want It", released on June 4, 1996, from the album All Eyez on Me. The song’s lyrics contain vicious insults to several East Coast rappers, chiefly among them, Shakur's former...

" where, in the outro of the song, he made a remark in clear reference to Prodigy's ailment in having sickle cell anemia: "Oh yeah, Mobb Deep, you wanna fuck with us?/You little young ass motherfuckers/Don't one of you niggas got sickle cell or something?/You're fucking with me nigga/You fuck around and catch a seizure or heart-attack/You better back the fuck up before you get smacked the fuck up". Mobb Deep responded in a track called "Drop A Gem On 'Em
Drop a Gem on 'em
"Drop a Gem on 'em" was a promotional single for Mobb Deep's Hell on Earth album. The song contains a sample from "Can't Help but Love You" by The Whispers....

" which was released as a single after 2Pac was murdered, although the song came out before his death. 2Pac also dissed Mobb Deep on the song "Against All Odds
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the fifth and final studio album by Tupac Shakur, under the new stage name Makaveli, finished before his death and his first studio album to be posthumously released...

" which was released after his death. But Prodigy later sampled 2Pac's voice from a freestyle for the chorus on the song "Return of the Mac" (a.k.a. "New York Shit") on his album with the same name
Return of the Mac
Return of the Mac is the second studio album by rapper Prodigy, released on March 27, 2007 through E1 Music. The album was intended to be a mixtape serving as a prequel to Prodigy's next album, H.N.I.C. Pt. 2, but was released as a traditional album due to the unexpected level of quality of the...

. His affiliate and fellow rapper Majesty, who had made a song with 2Pac (which was never released) called "Big Time" (also featuring 2Pac's frequent collaborator Stretch
Stretch (rapper)
Randy Walker , better known by his stage name Stretch, was an American rapper.-Life and career:...

 and the late E-Moneybags) paid tribute to 2Pac on a skit called "Madge Speaks," on the same album.

Keith Murray

On The Infamous, made remarks about rappers who rap about "smoking weed" and talk about "space shit". Def Squad
Def Squad
Def Squad is a rap supergroup consisting of Erick Sermon, Redman & Keith Murray. Mally G is considered an honorary member of the Def Squad. Before officially forming as a group to release an album in 1998, they had each been featured on tracks by each other...

 took offense but the feud was settled when Prodigy and Keith Murray
Keith Murray (rapper)
Keith Murray is an American rapper and a member of the rap trio Def Squad, which includes fellow rappers Redman and Erick Sermon.-Music career:...

 met at a video shoot. The feud was rekindled when Prodigy again referenced "space shit" in his appearance on LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...

's "I Shot Ya" which also featured Murray. Murray saw Prodigy at a club one night and punched him. Prodigy recalled the altercation and threatened Murray in the song "In the Long Run" on Hell on Earth. Murray released a song "Call My Name" on his Enigma album dissing Mobb Deep. The feud seemed to die down until Prodigy dissed Murray again in his 2004 song "Bad Blood." Murray has responded with numerous songs since.

Saigon

During an interview Prodigy stated that he did not like Saigon
Saigon (rapper)
Brian Daniel Carenard, better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and occasional actor.Saigon is currently signed to Suburban Noize Records and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label. After years of delay due to former record label interference, his album The Greatest...

, Tru-Life
Tru-Life
Roberto Guzmán Rosado, Jr. , better known by his stage name Tru Life, is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent from New York City. He was signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. His latest release is a mixtape called Tru York, hosted by J-Love...

 or many other rappers for that matter and dissed Prodigy back in an interview.

On the night of September 19, 2007, after an impromptu performance by Saigon
Saigon (rapper)
Brian Daniel Carenard, better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and occasional actor.Saigon is currently signed to Suburban Noize Records and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label. After years of delay due to former record label interference, his album The Greatest...

 during a Mobb Deep show, words were exchanged between Saigon and Prodigy. This escalated into an argument, which resulted with Saigon punching Prodigy twice and running out the club. Two video versions of the events have since emerged. One version with slow motion footage says it shows a clear look of Saigon hiding under a table yet you can see him standing to the right of the table, while another video shows Saigon running away from the club. The feud has appearantely died down, since Saigon had expressed happiness that Prodigy was coming home, in an interview two months before the rappers release.

Crooked I

While in prison, Prodigy wrote a letter about his disillusionment with hip hop and rappers. He directly referenced Crooked I
Crooked I
Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the hip hop group, Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9. Slaughterhouse is currently signed to Shady Records / Interscope Records....

's name in the rant about vibe.com's best rapper alive 2008, specifically commenting,
Crooked I has since responded in a blog entry, challenging Prodigy to a one-on-one fight upon the rapper's release.

Albums

  • 2000 : H.N.I.C.
  • 2007 : Return of the Mac
    Return of the Mac
    Return of the Mac is the second studio album by rapper Prodigy, released on March 27, 2007 through E1 Music. The album was intended to be a mixtape serving as a prequel to Prodigy's next album, H.N.I.C. Pt. 2, but was released as a traditional album due to the unexpected level of quality of the...

  • 2008 : H.N.I.C. Part 2
  • 2012 : H.N.I.C. Part 3

Digital Release

  • 2011 : The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP
    The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP
    The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP is EP album, made by rapper Prodigy. The album is available for free download on the internet.-Track listing:...

  • 2011 : Pebble Beach (self released single)

Official Mixtape

  • 2000 : H.N.I.C Mixtape Part 1
  • 2003 : Closed Session (With Illa Ghee)
  • 2009 : Ultimate P
  • 2010 : Ultimate P Part 2

Singles

  • "Keep It Thoro" (2000)
  • "Rock Dat Shit" (2000)
  • "Y.B.E." (2000)
  • "Trials Of Love" (2001)
  • "Mac 10 Handle" (2006)
  • "New York Shit" (2006)
  • "Stuck On You" (2007)
  • "A,B,C" (2007)
  • "The Life" (2008)
  • "New Yitty" (2008)
  • "Young Veterans" (2008)
  • "I Want Out" (2008)
  • "Stop Stressin" (2008)
  • "Shed Thy Blood" (2008)
  • "Damn Daddy" (2009)
  • "My World Is Empty[With Out You]" (2011)


'

Songs since prison

  • The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP
  • Up North Service Freestyle
  • Pebble Beach (2011)
  • Curren$y- The Type (2011)
  • Mobb Deep- Love Ya'll More (2011)
  • Mobb Deep- Dogshit Feat NaS (2011)
  • Mobb Deep- Street lights (2011)
  • Mobb Deep- Dead mans Shoes Feat Bounty Killa (2011)
  • Mobb Deep- Ill Son Feat Adam LaCrate (2011)
  • Mobb Deep- Conquer (2011)
  • Tony Yayo Feat Mobb Deep- Body Bag (2011)
  • Tony Yayo Feat Prodigy- Rollercoaster (2011)
  • Godfather Part 3 Feat Prodigy, Chinky- The Fast Life (2011)
  • Boogz Boogetz- Its's a Body Feat Prodigy (2011)
  • Boogz Boogetz- Supreme Flow Feat Prodigy (2011)
  • Jay Electronica- Call Of Duty Feat Prodigy (2011)
  • Evidence- Fame feat. Roc Marciano & Prodigy (2011)
  • French Montana- Hell On Earth 2K11 (Feat. Waka Flocka, Prodigy)
  • Ox- Killa Squad Feat Prodigy (2011)
  • OX Feat Prodigy & Boogz Boogetz- Shot Caller Freestyle (2011)
  • Slim da Mobster Feat Prodigy- Marta (2011)

Filmography

  • Blackout (2007)
  • Murda Muzik (2004)
  • Full Clip
    Full Clip
    Full Clip is an action movie starring Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, Bubba Smith, Tiny Lister and Mark Boone Junior. It is directed by mink and written by Kantz.-Plot summary:...

    (2004)
  • Rhyme and Punishment (2009)

External links

  • http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=112147&page=1
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