Prodigy of Mobb Deep | Struggle With Sickle Cell, Prison, Beef With Tupac, Nas, Jay-Z & More!

American rapper Albert Johnson, better known by his stage name Prodigy, was born on November 2, 1974 in Hempstead, New York. His greatest professional successes were accomplished as one half of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep.
#Prodigy #MobbDeep
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• Prodigy of Mobb Deep I...
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• Havoc on Forming Mobb ...
• Open Space: Prodigy | ...
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ABOUT LET'S GET TO THE ROOT
Hi! I'm Genevieve and this is my second channel. I'm a lifestyle blogger who's obsessed with skincare, self love, 90's r&b music and anything chocolate! Don't forget to check out my main channel, Genuinely Genevieve!
Let's Get To The Root lives up to its name by going beyond just the surface. This channel takes a deep dive into all the interesting and shocking information about all your favourite Hollywood celebrities, entertainers, social media personalities, public figures, movies, television shows and more from back in the day to the present. You'll get all the nostalgic feels and find out what your favs have currently been up to. The answers to all your burning questions and extra juicy details you never knew before are all right here!

[@OluwaShagoon]

Fun fact Prodigy great grand father was the founder of Morehouse College

[@serterriamonet4580]

That’s Dope

[@stellabellafontay9366]

Wowww

[@ahzar4384]

Thats wassup

[@JessicaWhiteheadAKA]

AMAZING black history fact... Thanks

[@Official_Kings_Versus]

🆒!!!

[@Krystal_Clear]

I miss Prodigy. Felt like I knew him. Met him briefly one time and he was so kind. Miss his music and the lives he use to do. He had real insight to what was really going on. RIP P 🕊

[@blueprint0162]

❤️❤️❤️

[@michaelmclendon6368]

Yea we are west coast road to wrestlemaina

[@beaniegee5129]

Havoc definitely deserves more credit as a producer

[@nicolesherman8974]

The fact that Mariah Carey sampled the song Shook Ones for her single The Roof is iconic.

[@taytayrazors9033]

😮😮

[@blueprint0162]

Yup. 👍🏾

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@blueprint0162 I have it she's a fan of his former group.

[@marvingonzalez6891]

My favorite MC song in her catalog

[@sabrinapitt1466]

@@marvingonzalez6891 mine too

[@angelicfaithh2664]

Sigh I didn’t really know much about prodigy, I just knew I liked Mobb Deep’s music. His story touched me tho because I suffer from sickle cell disease as well. He surpassed a lot of feats that many of us struggle with. R.I.P. ❤️

[@dillinger445]

stay strong. you got this✌🤞

[@Msboochie2]

I felt the same, though I knew a lot about him as where he is from. That made me respect his accomplishments even more. As a young girl with SS growing up in Queens, the environment is really hard on everyone, but especially us as survivors. I always wondered how he dealt with the streets, traveling the world, and working that hard. I was terrified for him when he went to prison. I didn’t think he’d survive. Many prison fatalities are due to neglecting the medical needs of ss patients.

[@angelicfaithh2664]

@@Msboochie2 yes n a lot of doctors won’t believe us. T-Boz has sickle cell as well but she has been thriving

[@nitab5734]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@iaintmadatcha]

My woman suffers from Sickle Cell Anaemia I always tell her to drink more water and eat more fresh foods because I learnt that from Prodigy he's my favourite rapper so I studied Sickle Cell disease years ago. Is there any other stuff I can tell her to digest as your knowledge on it will be better than mines?

[@landismithCOJ]

RIP Prodigy. The Infamous is one best hip hop albums that I've ever heard.

[@slipnin2darkness121]

40 years old grew up on west coast rap, was never really a fan of east coast music but Infamous was one of the best albums of the time in my humble opinion.

[@iaintmadatcha]

All Facts !

[@beaniegee5129]

Mobb Deep's 3rd album Hell on Earth was released on the same day as Shaq's 3rd album You Can't Stop the Reign, Foxy Brown's Ill Na Na, Flesh-n-Bone's solo debut album, Dru Hill's self-titled debut album and Tony! Toni! Tone!'s 4th and final album House of Music on November 19th 1996

[@JWill951]

I would highly recommend everyone to go read his autobiography if you haven't already. It goes more in detail about his life. One of my favorite books. You won't want to put the book down b/c that's how good it is

[@beaniegee5129]

Prodigy's wife also appeared in Mobb Deep's Hey Luv (Anything) music video

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I think the other member's wife did too.

[@kiara198923]

I have sickle cell and I'll be glad when we stop getting treated like crap in hospitals.

[@beaniegee5129]

Back when Loud Records had all of the best acts on there like Mobb Deep, Tha Alkaholiks, Mad Kap, Twista, Lil Flip, Xzibit, Cella Dwellas, Sadat X, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, Davina, Yvette Michele, dead prez, Funkmaster Flex, Three 6 Mafia, etc.!

[@fedoramcclaren4294]

Wooooow...Mad Kap!!! They were in the suuuuuper early stages of Loud Records!!!

[@taureanmay7480]

I miss Prodigy of Mobb Deep.

[@taureanmay7480]

R.I.P. Bro.

[@monicamariamclean2198]

Rest in peace mobb deep King

[@nyakadot.esq.2746]

🕊️🕊️🕊️🙏

[@chinoasesino3465]

My dude Prodigy, one of the illest ever, definitely gone too soon n still missed. I bump Mobb Deep music forever!

[@hassanburton669]

I OPENED UP FOR PRODIGY BEFORE HE WENT UP FOR THE GUN CHARGE. REMEMBERED IN PERFECTION (RIP) I LOVED PRODIGY’S FLOW..HIS STYLE WAS CALLOUS, NO SOUL.

[@andyukh1625]

Every time I hear “ Shook one’s “ it reminds me of my first trip to New York, getting into a blacked out Mercedes tour bus and doing the Hip Hop tour……….. that tune was booming out and the whole bus was rocking………… love Mobb Deep, their baselines were just something else !!

[@kacey5324]

So sad his mural was taken down,some people are just ridiculous....smdh

[@michaelhunter8399]

Why they took down Prodigy's Mural he's a Hip Hop Legend from Queens Bridge Projects

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@michaelhunter8399 people kept defacing it .

[@turiyahall7526]

Prodigy’s autobiography was really good

[@taytayrazors9033]

Yes!!! It was.

[@whatsup3436]

Prodigy is probably the most interesting rapper In hip hop history. He comes from extremely influential family on both sides. One grand parent is a jazz hall of fame recipient and taught Quincy Jones how to read music. His other grandmother owned a famous dance sfudio. His great great grandfather founded moorehouse college. His mother was a singer and had a song featured in the movie goodfellas. P was on a song at 15 on the boys in the hood soundtrack. I can’t recommend his auto biography enough

[@lifewithri2970]

Do the life & death of the singer Traci Braxton!

[@monicamariamclean2198]

Yes because Tracy Braxton Tony Braxton sister and Tamar Braxton sister just passed away she had some kind of throat cancer

[@JessicaWhiteheadAKA]

@@monicamariamclean2198 and Trina Braxton is a sister also

[@GrxndDxD]

I love his autobiography. Very deep and informative.

[@JWill951]

One of my favorite books.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@JWill951 I still want to read it.

[@Jayloyalslifestyle]

R. I. P king 🕊🕊

[@TaiwoWilliams]

In hindsight - I was in university when the East Coast vs the West Coast Rap tensions were happening - the fighting and tension was all about egos and media getting involved to stir it up. Prodigy was my favorite, and his tone was stellar for rapping. Its so sad what they did to his mural though. He was a deep man. May he continue to SIP...

[@lexkanyima2195]

Why it is about egos

[@iaintmadatcha]

@@lexkanyima2195 because when u give alot of money to a people who's been enfranchised for so long it's bound to be a recipe for disaster without the right guidance

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@iaintmadatcha and ?

[@iaintmadatcha]

@@lexkanyima2195 I just answered your question what u mean and? Are you incapable of comprehending my breakdown of egos clashing in hip hop? Use what's under your skull

[@beaniegee5129]

This June will be 5 years since Prodigy died

[@Monique__91]

RIP Prodigy my birthday twin . I still bump Mobb Deep daily

[@hdetroyerAssassindestroyer]

RIP PRODIGY MY SCORPIO BROTHER WE SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY NOV 2ND

[@nataliemscrzysxycoolharris]

I was smh-ing my head a lot listening to all of the back & forth, in & out. 🙄 May God continue to rest his soul. 🙏🏾

[@mrsicklestrong9055]

My Fellow Sickle Cell Warrior... REST IN PEACE 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #Prodigy #MobbDeep

[@rasberrybombay2]

U stay strong also...my fellow sicklecell warrior

[@iaintmadatcha]

Stay Strong bredrin

[@deshonebonyrowland-ward4552]

While I don't discourage or hate on the way aspiring mc's have access to getting their music out there I do miss the element of having to work for it... I still have my source mags and unsigned hype and getting five mics were equivalent to getting Oscar's and Grammy's in our culture lol... There was nobody like Mobb Deep when it came to grimy beats.. Hood anthem hooks along with poetic and visual but sometimes harsh/real lyrics... It was sad and so sudden when Prodigy passed... Continue to rest in peace 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️❤️❤️ "Cause ain't no such thing as halfway crooks" Lol classic shit.

[@beaniegee5129]

Mobb Deep's 5th album Infamy was released on the same day as the How High soundtrack and Joe's 4th album Better Days on December 11th, 2001!!

[@beaniegee5129]

RIP Prodigy

[@michaelmatheis7551]

He was definitely up there with the best lyrically 🙏🏾

[@zayy567]

that's a fact

[@daradiant1]

Prodigy favors Nipsey Hussle a little bit. But I can say one thing he stayed in more trouble than he stayed out.

[@lonelyenchantress2172]

Yes they do favor each other may they both Rest In Peace!! 🌹🌹

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@lonelyenchantress2172 I always thought so too and even at some camera angles a lighter skinned krayzie bone.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@lonelyenchantress2172 nipsey looked like layzie bone at times when he was younger.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@lonelyenchantress2172 0:38 I see it he had the ability to look like totally different people he was so fine I loved his voice it was quite sexy hey luv ( anything) is a sexy song😍.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@lonelyenchantress2172 8:07 he looks like dj clue in this one.

[@JPEREZ401]

Just happy to be here 🙂

[@ximon4410]

He spoke about a lot of real issues starting around the release of HNIC 2. A lot of it is more relevant now than ever. IYKYK

[@shenaruiz9080]

This story definitely brought back memories! I am not from Queenbrigde but from Astoria down the street. But I still got love for the Bridge.

[@josetteskinner4200]

Same here. Lived in Astoria in my young kid years, but loved Mobb Deep.

[@nicolesherman8974]

A story on the late Traci Braxton and the rap group Digable Planets are good ones!

[@ricardored207]

He will always be one of my favorite MC’S to touch a mic and grace a stage‼️🏆👉🏽👨🏽💪🏽🎵🎶

[@davidholmes2657]

Rip Prodigy

[@wagnersilve2671]

My favorite rapper R.I.P Prodigy greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@NellieKAdaba]

😔

[@MrBeautiful2908]

He went away too soon

[@joeyjoey1154]

I'm still "Windows half-down bumpin' out mobb beatz" to this day

[@janitakirby645]

That was the funniest run of Forrest gump, lol, thank you for that laugh.

[@Deeznutz581]

Something is not sitting right with me knowing he was killed and didn't choke on a egg . And Havoc is not pressing for answers . I don't care what anybody says

[@whatsup3436]

Been looking at hav funny since he been yucking it up on drink champs with nore.

[@JWill951]

Exactly. In one of Prodigy's videos, he claimed that he hated eggs. I believe he was killed as well but no one is going to speak up about it. I'm surprised she didn't mention about him doing a play on the Illumunati. If you haven't read his autobiography, I highly recommend it. It goes into more detail about his life

[@D1Snr]

Him and Havoc actually fell out for a period. I remember being shocked and saddened hearing Havoc diss Prodigy. I got the impression Prodigy was trying to distance himself from Havoc way before they fell out. Prodigy was making a lot of solo moves and seemed to be more onside with Alchemist. It always seemed like Prodigy was never accepted by the QB natives. Something definitely wasn't right. I was appalled when his mural got desecrated twice. Why would someone do this?

[@lolabunny1157]

SMH! This is my first time hearing about him choking the hospital needs to be held responsible!

[@JessicaWhiteheadAKA]

Choking the hospital?

[@SweetTea742]

So proud of your channel's growth ☺️ I watch everything, even when I don't know the artiste. How about doing one on Billy Ocean?

[@amazingmonae7237]

Will you please do a video over the group rude boys, the group that has this song “ written all over your face” with Gerald Levert ! 🙌🏽💕

[@alluresearlesxxxgalaxyqueen]

Good video on prodigy he was a good person and ca great artist he is missed rip

[@123theprodigy5]

I wish hip-hop was more excepting of a persons background back then, because after summer jam, prodigy never recovered. I think he was embarrassed after what Jay Z did at summer jam.

[@sandracorley3944]

What Jay Z do at summer jam?

[@123theprodigy5]

@@sandracorley3944 you don’t know, it was pretty popular. He showed everyone a picture of prodigy dancing as a child.

[@sandracorley3944]

@@123theprodigy5 Thanks

[@tasha1985]

Still in love with this man he was just something different.. I can't explain bless his soul.

[@dirtysouthhc2936]

Very cool to hear white lady speaking on my boy prodigy kick that knowledge love. This man is one of the most underrated human beings of All times phenomenal insight and emotion artistically through this man

[@caramia4143]

Wow, that was a lot of drama and back and forth to keep track of. The epitome of "crabs in a barrel" SMH

[@kylemal1349]

Can you do heather headley

[@elgnganal3492]

Queens finest n da house. Let's not forget his potna havoc 1 ov da dopest m.c.'s/producers around💯💯🔥🔥

[@lincolnhamilton7043]

I will always miss Prodigy. Been a Mobb Deep fan since I heard Shook Ones Pt 2, and Prodigy became my favorite MC when I heard him on LL’s I Shot Ya Remix. RIP Prodigy

[@saundrabrown1873]

When you're woke 👊 they will mess with you and will take you out by goons or your Physicians. 2 chronicles 16 ch. 12 R.I.P.InHeaven Prodigy 🕊 🙌

[@monicamariamclean2198]

Why would Jay z put himself in a beef that he had nothing to do with Jay z ain't had nothing to do with that beef that was about other people in industry that was not about Jay z Jay z didn't need to put himself in that.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Why was he in beef with nas ?.

[@majestic3850]

suggestions for future episodes: sean kingston jesse mccartney jojo christina milian cherish

[@belizegal29]

I think all these artists were covered except Jesse McCartney.

[@candicemirisha912]

I’m sad he passed. I really liked Mob Deep

[@patone2184]

I clicked so fast

[@thaigei3538]

Man he had beef with everrrrrrryone lol

[@JuicyPopEntertainment]

Everyone! 😂

[@Alphaflight912]

Great Book. I can tell why ppl didn't like it......he was talking crazy........ but still...... a good read...🍇

[@JahBreed]

This Emcee was Ethereal.

[@darreylcarter370]

Yeah, Prod was my dude, I could've sworn he was writing about my lifestyle, cause I was damn sure living that life..

[@nihziahmills6963]

American nightmare was a dope ass album

[@somuchpressuresomuchpressu9257]

RIP… Don..P

[@abdijaime6029]

Rip. I didn't know that.

[@phoebebawuah6462]

May he Rest In Peace… and can we get a story on fuse odg!

[@lifeaszahara3282]

He was so fine rip 🙏🏼

[@tonyphills6075]

Man thats a lot of drama from my boy but he always in my top 10. And Hav is too as far as producers

[@holden3]

Illuminate killed him !

[@jayburnell128]

Long Live The Bandana P

[@242boy]

Amerikas nightmare and free agents mixtape were both dope

[@injesusoutreach]

JESUS IS COMING SOON !! DO WE REALLY KNOW HIM ??

[@donnelladams8362]

Yes I do because I know he is God and that he died for all of my sins. I would like to both acknowledge and confess the Lord Jesus Christ this evening.. And put out a few of my favorite scriptures John chapter 20 vs 28 and Titus chapter 2 vs 13

[@stackmosayless-1669]

Bud Johnson from the Chanters was your pops. Deep

[@blackwoman713]

It’s crazy how much he repped queens but he was from Long Island Hempstead to be exact lml

[@reggiefurlow1]

What a way to go

[@Top5DeadOrAlive]

If you haven't listened to the Prodigy- Albert Einstein album produced by Alchemist, now is the time.

[@desmickallen325]

Do one on Compton's most wanted & south Central cartel

[@banksta72]

Rest in power 👑✊🏾

[@1BRWNSKN]

😔 Yeah, my sister and niece have Sickle Cell, and ad if they don't have enough hard times as it is...hospital staff whom are supposed to be empathetic are evil and treat them as criminals.

[@leelee185]

Good afternoon Mr. or Ms let's get to the root can you do a episode on joe public, Lisa Stanfield and also group portrait? Thankyou have a great day.

[@dicedavis84]

Mobb deep the only set who could actually challenge Jay z catalogue in a versuz. Think about it

[@jeromewhite7681]

Can you do Assorted Phlavors?

[@rasberrybombay2]

I have the same ss type of sicklecell he had. as I was growing up listening to drs tell me when ima die and not be able to have kids. I begin listening to prodigy and tboz from tlc cause what they accomplished was extremely hard and could've killed them early cause of sicklecell. I looked up to them and till this day I don't believe he passed that way and I'm happy is family sued.

[@itzjdub282]

Choking on an egg????

[@JWill951]

Thats what they say but I don't believe it. Something ain't right about that story especially since he stated how he hated eggs

[@LITMOVIESCENES]

@@JWill951 noone chokes on an egg its not even possible..ever heard of anyone else? of course not...the egg is a symbol with the higher ups supposedly..i really dont know but noone chokes on a hard boiled egg lol...shits not even good and its not really even a chokeable material..one cough it would break up or come right out ..but again noones choking on a damn egg lol

[@stefansimpson7678]

💜💜💜💜

[@rayray2091]

He got 666 on his neck 😬

[@annotjoptjop8037]

Murderd

[@angelicfaithh2664]

Can you please do one on Petey Pablo???

[@Mr.Chris.P.Bacon1]

Wow. These videos are SHOCKING.. I never knew he was froma middle class well to do family and NOT from Queens Bridge like he claimed.

[@D1Snr]

He never said he was from QB. He always said he was from Lefrak.

[@Mr.Chris.P.Bacon1]

@@D1Snr "You heard of us, official QUEENS BRIDGE MURDERERS..." 🤫🤫🤫🤯😬

[@STAUNCHTV]

Did this channel used to be called something else?

[@adams8830]

You know what, I think it did have a different name. I can't remember it though.

[@louisejones5773]

I believe everything he said about them crooked pohos

[@Alphaflight912]

Alot of ngs in NY were sneak dissing Pac after the Quad scenario..... ngs be trying to act like Pac was just acting out. ...but Pac was a Gemini.... he could feel when MFs would down his name...

[@saj8]

The best way to deal with a Gemini is to tell them to look in the mirror.

[@Alphaflight912]

@@saj8 f you........ we love mirrors 🍇

[@kennymoore6308]

Prodigy wasn't much of a fighter lol

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

He wasn't a hood guy he wasn't from the hood although he got respect there .

[@queenoflogic3206]

He wasted so much of his life beefing over stupid, childish stuff and getting in trouble.

[@iulia1690]

He got suicided. They don't need people around that speak the truth and don't fear death.

[@JadedJassy21]

He was very talented but he was super messy! He hurt himself

[@saj8]

With 2pac shooting himself with his own gun, he should have been the last person to say anything about Prodigy.

[@donnelladams8362]

Pac came at prodigy being loyal to snoop.

[@monicamariamclean2198]

They was precious shit*** to lock up 50 cent that's what happens when you about that life and you on the wrong track that's what happens you either get locked up get shot at or get murdered that's what these rappers don't understand that's why when they come with these unnecessary beasts I don't understand it cuz it's unnecessary nothing is that serious to where it cost you your life life is precious and your life should mean more to you than that

[@thecloud9effect765]

Primero

[@JuicyPopEntertainment]

🥳 💃🏽 👏🏾

[@taureanmay7480]

@@JuicyPopEntertainment good.

[@blasianluvschocolate397]

My baby daddy loved mobb deep..