Mobb Deep
8 vinyl records found
Mobb Deep was a Queens-based hip-hop duo formed in 1990 by Prodigy and Havoc, central figures in East Coast rap throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Their dark, sample-heavy production and street-focused lyrics defined a era of hip-hop, with releases like The Infamous and Hell on Earth becoming touchstones for collectors interested in mid-90s East Coast rap.
About Mobb Deep
Havoc and Prodigy met at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan and initially recorded as Poetical Prophets before adopting the Mobb Deep name. An appearance in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column in 1991 helped establish them locally, and Q-Tip's endorsement opened doors to industry connections. They signed with 4th & B'way Records in 1992 and released their debut Juvenile Hell in 1993, featuring production from DJ Premier and Large Professor.
The duo achieved substantial commercial success with The Infamous in 1995, an album built around Havoc's production that focused on life in Queensbridge and included the standout track Shook Ones, Part II. Hell on Earth followed in 1996 with guest spots from Nas and Wu-Tang Clan members, positioning Mobb Deep as key voices during the East Coast-West Coast rivalry. They continued releasing albums through the 2000s, including Murda Muzik in 1999 and later work on G-Unit Records, while developing a recognizable presence in hip-hop culture through appearances in Def Jam: Fight for NY and the popularization of the slang term dunn through Quiet Storm. Prodigy passed away in 2017, and Havoc has since continued working with producers and collaborators, most recently on the 2025 album Infinite with The Alchemist and Nas.
The Groove Hunter currently tracks 7 editions across Mobb Deep's discography, including The Infamous, Hell On Earth, and Juvenile Hell, providing collectors multiple entry points into the group's catalog.
