Mobb Deep
The Infamous


5.0
classic

Review

by HipHopKid USER (40 Reviews)
September 8th, 2015 | 14 replies


Release Date: 1995 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A seminal piece of hip hop

Mobb Deep are one of the best duos (or groups in general for that matter) in hip hop. Prodigy, while overrated at times, is a fantastic MC and Havoc's production complements his rapping. Havoc raps at times too, but rapping certainly isn't the man's strongpoint. His rapping isn't bad by any means, but his production is truly what makes him great.

The Infamous, while often confused as their debut, is actually the duo's sophomore album. Their debut, Juvenile Hell, was quite amateur, and is often forgotten for good reason. However, there was potential shown on that album. The Infamous much further improves on that potential, and is an improvement in every way imaginable. Havoc's production on this is dark, menacing, and simply flawless. "Shook Ones Pt. II" is one of the greatest hip hop tracks of all time, with an infectious beat, and impressive performances from the duo. "Survival of the Fittest" is another standout. The beat is grimy, and the duo basically rap about what the song title suggest, it's survival of the fittest in the projects, every man for himself. Almost all of the beats on this album have a grimy, dark vibe, and they're quite unique for the time.

The guests on the album help, but often the guests outshine the duo. Not a problem though, as their verses help the quality of the songs. "Eye For a Eye (Your Beef is Mines)" features Nas and Raekwon, two east-coast heavyweights at the time of the release, and both have superb verses about brotherhood over the dark, grimacing instrumental. "Give Up the Goods (Just Step)", features Big Noyd, and to be quite honest, I think the song could have done without him. Still a remarkable instrumental with fantastic verses from the stars of the show. It's also worth noting that it's one of the tracks with additional help on production, as Q-Tip handles the beat. "Temperature's Rising" is one of the more upbeat instrumentals on the album, but the lyrics aren't happy on here for the most part. The hook (from Crystal Johnson) and beat are uptempo, but the rhymes are about being on the run from police. Once again, Q-Tip handles the majority of the instrumental. "Right Back At You" features Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and Big Noyd. Each of them provide great verses, over this hard hitting instrumental co-produced by Schott Free. "Drink Away the Pain (Situations)" features Q-Tip in an odd, but fantastic collaboration, with, as predicted, Q-Tip producing it. "Party Over", the final track on the album, features Big Noyd, co-produced by Matt Life, and is the perfect closure, as it captures the essence of the album.

The Infamous is as good of an album as you could ask for, lyrics? Check. Production? Double check. The lyrics are stellar, and the production is some of the best to ever be put into a hip hop album. There's a cohesive feel to the album, and not one song on here is less than marvelous, and not one that should have been cut short. The album is perfection damn near front to back. I think I've said everything that needs to be said, as most hip hop fans know (or should know) why this album is so great, but if you're new to hip hop, definitely check this album out, as it's essential listening.

Ratings:
1. The Start of Your Ending (41st Side): 4.5/5
2. The Infamous Prelude
3. Survival of the Fittest: 5/5
4. Eye for a Eye (Your Beef Is Mines) (feat. Nas and Raekwon): 5/5
5. Just Step Prelude
6. Give Up the Goods (Just Step) (feat. Big Noyd): 5/5
7. Temperature's Rising (feat. Crystal Johnson): 5/5
8. Up North Trip: 5/5
9. Trife Life: 5/5
10. Q.U.-Hectic: 5/5
11. Right Back At You (feat. Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Big Noyd): 5/5
12. The Grave Prelude
13. Cradle to the Grave: 5/5
14. Drink Away the Pain (Situations) (feat. Q-Tip): 5/5
15. Shook Ones Pt. II: 5/5
16. Party Over: 5/5

Best songs:
Shook Ones Pt. II
Survival of the Fittest
Temperature's Rising
Up North Trip
Trife Life

Weakest song: The Start of Your Endind (41st Side)

Production: 10/10
Lyrics: 10/10

Overall rating: 100/100
Grade: A+



Recent reviews by this author
Geto Boys Grip It! On That Other LevelIce-T VI Return Of The Real
Ice Cube AmeriKKKa's Most WantedKendrick Lamar Section.80
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Creepin On Ah Come UpIce-T Home Invasion
user ratings (1107)
4.4
superb
other reviews of this album
Blindguardian (4.5)
...

Hocmat (5)
The most realistic Hardcore Hip-Hop album ever made, packed with some of the most bone chilling lyri...

GeorgeNelson (4.5)
...

Typhoon24 (5)
the coldest but the realest...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Trebor.
Emeritus
September 8th 2015


60012 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

sweet



was jamming big l today

Cygnatti
September 8th 2015


36129 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

sweet [2]

Keyblade
September 8th 2015


30678 Comments


"sweet

was jamming big l today"

lmao wat

MO
September 8th 2015


24113 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

too fucking good

Havey
September 8th 2015


12273 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

1. The Start of Your Ending (41st Side): 4.5/5

10. Q.U.-Hectic: 5/5

Weakest song: Q.U.-Hectic

neg

Source
September 8th 2015


19917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Q.U.-Hectic is one of the best songs on there for sure. If there are any "weak" songs I would say Temperature's Rising or maybe Drink Away the Pain.

bloc
September 8th 2015


70683 Comments


Top gun album

TheSonomaDude
September 8th 2015


9206 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Sending this one out to my man Killa B

StarlessCore
September 8th 2015


7813 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

eye 4 an eye

cvlts
September 8th 2015


9943 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

looked forever for this thing on vinyl and found it in a fucking barnes and noble lmao



weakest song on this was temperatures rising imo

HipHopKid
September 9th 2015


54 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

@Havey Didn't catch that thanks

Ryus
September 9th 2015


37886 Comments


never dug this as much as i thought i would. should give it another try soon

DrMaximus
September 9th 2015


12842 Comments


Yo it's the r a double p! e r n o y d niggas can't fuk wit me!

ShadowRemains
September 9th 2015


28058 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

that whole rating hodgepodge at the bottom can go, also the first paragraph would be much better blended into the review itself rather than just a standalone



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy