Deen’s first child will be conceived to an “Eye for an Eye.”
Given the fuckshit that transpired between Hav and P a little while ago, most Mobb Deep diehards have been more than a little wary about any new output from the group. I think I speak for the entire Standom when I state that we aren’t sure if we want more material or if we’d rather just see them ride off into the sunset in order to spare us any potential embarrassment. After all, the Mobb’s commercial heyday is long gone and their brand of music isn’t getting the most comfortable reception in 2014. Add in the drama between the fellas and the first sensation I get whenever I read the words ‘mobb’ and ‘deep’ together is unease.
So it’s safe to say that I wasn’t exactly excited about the news that they’d be dropping a new album this year. I mean, that shit was expected anyway. It’s the 20 year anniversary of the album most folks consider their magnum opus: The Infamous. I happen to prefer Hell On Earth by a rat’s pussy hair, but that’s a discussion for some other time. It would be the height of fiscal irresponsibility for Hav and P to let the 20 year anniversary go by without taking advantage via whatever the fuck the folks with money are willing to pay them to do. And I guess an album is part of the package. Sigh.
I got even less excited when I saw the tracklist with the the accompanying producers. I strongly believe that Havoc and especially Prodigy need to stick to rapping over production from two sources and two sources ONLY: Havoc and The Alchemist. Anything else, no matter how well executed, tends to fall on the ‘meh’ side for this pair of ears. I’m not claiming that I’m right on this, I’m just stating how I feel. Can’t stand hearing my favorites over random ass beats. Shit pops off every so often, but it’s fuck that shit for the most part.
The first single from the project, “Taking You Off Here,” adhered to my wishes. Hav and P talking that murder shit over a Havoc beat – even if said beat was missing the ice cold snares I grew up loving so much. You know what? I’ll admit that it was a tad underwhelming, but it got my attention.
On the other hand, this new shit? This Say Something shit? Maaaaaaaaane, I fuck with this heavy. Between the eerie keys and the Mahogany-recalling drums alternating with more contemporary bass and snares, I’m sold on the production. And that’s kinda surprising given my previously stated aversion to Mobb Deep rapping over any non-Hav/ALC shit. I have to admit that Illmind really put his foot in this shit. But the best part is the second verse where the fellas go back and forth and double their vocals. They haven’t done that shit in forever – as a matter of fact, I don’t remember Mobb Deep ever doing that shit – maybe my Stan bonafides have slipped a bit more than I thought. It’s more Lox territory than Queensbridge shit. I wonder what took them so long?
This effort ain’t gon make anyone think of any classic Mobb Deep singles, but it’s certainly good for what it is in 2014. I’m still not excited about the new project – or at least the new half of it (half the project is outtakes from the original ‘The Infamous’ sessions and the other half is new material), but I suppose I can pledge to purchase it right now. It’s the least I can do. I never actually bought The Infamous or Hell On Earth and I’ve gotten enough utility outta that pair of albums to last a lifetime.
