Honoring the life and legacy of fallen rapper Prodigy, Q-Tip played nonstop classics by Mobb Deep for two hours straight on his Abstract Radio show on Beats 1. The A Tribe Called Quest rapper started the show with some kind words for his longtime friend.
“We lost a big one. I’m about to take y’all through the zone…you know what it is,” the Abstract rapper said. “Prodigy from Mobb Deep. Rest in peace. Rest in power to the brother…his whole family. The whole Johnson Family and all that. Celebrating the life and the legacy of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy. We love you, baby.”
Tip’s friendship with both Prodigy and Havoc goes a long way back. Q-Tip produced two songs from Mobb Deep’s sophomore album, The Infamous: “Temperature’s Rising” and “Drink Away the Pain (Situations).”
Prodigy, real name Albert Johnson, was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead. In a statement sent to XXL, the rapper’s publicist revealed that Prodigy was hospitalized earlier this week after a show in Las Vegas.
“It is with extreme sadness and disbelief that we confirm the death of our dear friend Albert Johnson, better known to millions of fans as Prodigy of legendary NY rap duo Mobb Deep. Prodigy was hospitalized a few days ago in Vegas after a Mobb Deep performance for complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis. As most of his fans know, Prodigy battled the disease since birth. The exact causes of death have yet to be determined. We would like to thank everyone for respecting the family’s privacy at this time.”
Prodigy formed Mobb Deep with Havoc in the early ’90s, releasing their debut album, Juvenile Hell, in 1993. Their 1995 sophomore album, The Infamous, is labeled as one of the most classic and influential albums in Hip-Hop birthing the hit records “Survival of the Fittest”, “Temperature’s Rising”, and “Shook Ones.”
