Havoc

Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep’s Classic ‘The Infamous’ LP Released 28 Years Ago

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Much more successful than their debut, The Infamous is hailed as a New York classic. Its gritty underground style is a staple in the hardcore movement going on at this time in New York. This album helped New York Hip Hop separate itself from the mediocre backpacker style that was popular a few years prior. Havoc and Prodigy‘s production shaped a new sound that could separate them from any NYC crime rhymer at the time.

Helping to pave the way for future artists like The Diplomats or A$AP Mob, The Infamous promoted a sound a lifestyle that appealed to a side of New York that wasn’t being spoken to or about by the politically charged artists that came in the late 80s and early 90s. Much like Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Mobb Deep acted as street prophets, spitting the truths of the hood without trying to be outwardly righteous about it. Featuring artists like Ghostface Killah, Nas, and Q-Tip, this project is a titan among its peers.

The album was a commercial success debuting at #15 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts. The album was certified gold within the first month of its release, and the three singles from the project all made appearances on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, with “Shook Ones Pt. II” and Survival of the Fittest” both making it on to the Billboard Hot 100.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep’s Classic ‘The Infamous’ LP Released 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Blue Note Jazz Club Celebrates 50 Years Of Hip Hop w/ DMC, Talib Kweli, Havoc (Mobb Deep) And More

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Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City’s iconic cultural institution, has joined in on celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Last night the club showcased some of the best of the genre with the second night of Talib Kweli’s four night run. Joined by DMC and Bob James, they performed some of Run DMC’s hits like “Rock Box” and “Walk This Way.” The night also featured a stirring performance of Bob James’ “Nautilus” (the most sampled song in Hip Hop), a surprise rendition of Mobb Deep’s classic “The Learning” from Havoc (Mobb Deep) himself, and an announced sit-in from New York rapper Buckshot. Hip-hop heavyweights RZA and Smif-N-Wessun were spotted in the crowd.

The post Blue Note Jazz Club Celebrates 50 Years Of Hip Hop w/ DMC, Talib Kweli, Havoc (Mobb Deep) And More appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep Dropped Their Fourth LP ‘Murda Muzik’ 23 Years Ago

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On this day in 1999, Mobb Deep released their fourth LP, Murda Muzik. Coming after a three-year pause and numerous release date push-backs, Murda Muzik did everything but disappoint. Peaking at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart and shipping 1,000,000 copies in the year of its release prove that commercially this album was a success. The album also earned the #6 spot on the Canadian album charts.

Aside from its monetary success, the album was a hit. During a time in rap where Diddy and Master P were calling the shots, a project of this caliber came with much surprise and admiration. Havoc and Prodigy‘s stark realism and imagery depicting the darker side of the streets brought a necessary contrast to a game flooded with gold watch/diamond chain rap. Havoc’s style of production, although the majority unchanged from his previous work, was also a shift away from the norm of the ’99 to the 2000. This album has most definitely earned its respect and acclaim.

Rest in Peace to Prodigy and salute to Hav and the rest of the Mobb for this piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep Dropped Their Fourth LP ‘Murda Muzik’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep’s Classic ‘The Infamous’ LP Released 27 Years Ago

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Much more successful than their debut, The Infamous is hailed a New York classic. Its gritty underground style is a staple in the hardcore movement that was going on at this time in New York. This album helped New York Hip Hop to separate itself from the mediocre backpacker style that was popular a few years prior. Havoc and Prodigy‘s production shaped a new sound that could separate them from any NYC crime rhymer at the time.

Helping to pave a way for future artists like The Diplomats or A$AP Mob, The Infamous promoted a sound a lifestyle that appealed to a side of New York that wasn’t being spoken to or about by the politically charged artists that came in the late 80s and early 90s. Much like Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Mobb Deep acted as street prophets, spitting the truths of the hood without trying to be outwardly righteous about it. Featuring artists like Ghostface Killah, Nas, and Q-Tip, this project is a titan among it’s peers.

The album was a commercial success debuting at #15 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts. The album was certified gold within the first month of its release and the three singles from the project all made appearances on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart with “Shook Ones Pt. II” and Survival of the Fittest” both making it on to the Billboard Hot 100.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep’s Classic ‘The Infamous’ LP Released 27 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Juvenile Hell’ 29 Years Ago

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Juvenile Hell was the first album by duo Mobb Deep that paved the path for many other East Coast rappers of their genre, which only a few know preceded their most revered LP, The Infamous.

Dubbed as one of the most acclaimed East Coast rap duos of all time, MCs Havoc and Prodigy came together to release their first album, Juvenile Hell on this day, April 13, 1993. Hailing from Queensbridge Housing projects in New York City, Mobb Deep was rather young when they released their first album, at the early age of 19.

At the time of its’ release, Juvenile Hell wasn’t received on groundbreaking levels. The new sound of the duo was too hardcore for some, very street-oriented, and the album provided one major single entitled “Hit it from the Back”; which peaked at 18 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart that same year. It wouldn’t be until later that Mobb Deep would become a Hip Hop classic and household name. In time they have gained longevity with their sound inspiring practically all other east coast rappers of their caliber. Had it not been for their first album, and their street poetry over tracks produced by the likes of DJ Premier and Large Professor, the map would never have been drawn for much of the major East Coast sound.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Juvenile Hell’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Pelle Pelle and Avirex Are Back: Here’s How Hip-Hop Popularized Leather Jackets

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(Image via Complex Original/Photo by Mustafa Hussain)
  • Image via Complex Original/Photography by @armanilens and Collage by Elijah Justice.

  • Image via Complex Original/Photography by David Cabrera

  • Image via Complex Original

  • Image via Complex Original

  • Image via @Professor.Avirex

  • Leather jackets by Vanson, Pelle Pelle, Fubu and Karl Kani from Monica Morrow’s closet. (Image via Complex Original/Photography by David Cabrera)

  • Image via Complex Original/Photography by David Cabrera

  • Omaur “O Fresh” Bah with Avirex jackets at his store O Fresh. (Image via Complex Original/Photography by David Cabrera)

  • Two attendees show off their vintage Pelle Pelle jackets at Pelle Pelle Day in Chicago. (Image via @Ratchet_Professor)