Revisiting "The Infamous": Mobb Deep's Best Album Has Stood The Test Of Time

Formidable duo Mobb Deep released their album The Infamous, in 1995. Both Mc's, Havoc and Prodigy, dive into the difficult topics of race, poverty, and the overall struggle of being a young African-American in Queens, New York.

The raw and gritty nature of Mobb Deep's delivery is what initially got me hooked. As a listener, I can feel and hear the pain in their voices which makes their stories even more captivating. Storytelling is an essential part of hip-hop, especially during the early '90s. Both Havoc and Prodigy seem to have mastered the art of storytelling through their schematic rhymes sprinkled all throughout this album.

The Infamous is widely considered the duo's best work and there's an excellent reason for that. Mobb Deep's audacious tales of triumph and tragedy resonate with listeners everywhere. The rawness paired with fantastical elements makes each track feel like a grandiose tale which encapsulates the listener.

My words do not even do this album justice for how amazing it is. It is the definition of a must-listen. When an artist has that rare talent to reel listeners in through words that paint a realistic and vivid picture, that artist has struck gold. Mobb deep finds that excellent pairing between realism and entertainment value. A lot of artists may know how to tell a realistic story through music, but not know how to make it widely entertaining for a variety of demographics.

Havoc is pictured on the left with Prodigy on the right.

With Mobb Deep's pedigree, you would think that they would only be able to resonate with listeners of the same background. But, they have mastered the art of navigating a variety of listeners and appealing to all.

While Queens has a rich history of hip-hop culture, Mobb Deep helped bring that culture to the mainstream. At the time, the east coast vs. west coast was at the forefront of rap culture. This album was an important milestone in that cultural battle and even almost two decades since, the album remains a testament to such an exciting and vibrant time in hip-hop.