Mobb Deep Celebrates 25th Anniversary of “The Infamous” with Expanded Edition
Certified Classics, Legacy Recordings’ division for the celebration of Sony Music’s Hip Hop and R&B catalog, is commemorating the 25th anniversary of Mobb Deep’s The Infamous with a digital only expanded edition of the groundbreaking East Coast rap masterpiece.
The Infamous – 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition includes bonus tracks “Shook One, Part I” (Original Version) and Infamous Sessions Mixes of “The Money (Version 2)” and “Lifestyles Of The Infamous,” now available digitally for the first time.
A deluxe 12“ vinyl 25th anniversary edition of The Infamous will be available later this year featuring the original album in its entirety and a variety of rare mixes, alternate takes and unreleased tracks recorded in 1994 during the making of The Infamous.
Mobb Deep’s roots lie in Queensbridge, Queens, New York where hardcore rappers Havoc and Prodigy began performing as a duo in 1991. Originally released April 25, 1995 through RCA/Loud Records, The Infamous, Mobb Deep’s second studio album, signified an important new sound and direction for East Coast hip-hop. Featuring contributions from illuminary guest artists including Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Q-Tip, The Infamous marked Havoc and Prodigy’s evolution from Queensbridge underground phenomenon to one of the most influential and successful duos in hip-hop, selling more than three million records. An immediate urban/pop crossover success, The Infamous entered the Billboard 200 at #15 and the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #3 the week of its release. The album generated four hit singles–“Shook Ones Pt. II,” “Survival of the Fittest,” “Temperature’s Rising“ and “Give Up the Goods (Just Step)“–and was certified RIAA gold in June 1995.
The groundbreaking sound and attitude of The Infamous is characterized by deeply-layered soundscapes, unblinking narratives dealing directly with inner city crime and poverty, unforgettable melodies, chilling beats and street sophistication. The album earned critical recognition alongside its commercial success and perfected a signature production style that continues to resonant with hip-hop artists and aficionados.
Prodigy died on June 20, 2017 after a lifelong battle with sickle-cell anemia, but the music he made with Havoc lives on in The Infamous.
“I’m often asked out of the Mobb Deep albums I made, which one’s my favorite… and I tell them The Infamous every time. Without its existence, I probably wouldn’t even be giving you this quote!”- Havoc, Mobb Deep
QUOTES FROM HAVOC’S INTERVIEW ON VEVO’S :
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
Mobb Deep / The Infamous – 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition tracklist
1-16 are from The Infamous (released April 25, 1995)
1. The Start of Your Ending (41st Side)
2. (The Infamous Prelude)
3. Survival of the Fittest
4. Eye for a Eye (Your Beef Is Mines)
5. (Just Step Prelude)
6. Give Up the Goods (Just Step)
7. Temperature’s Rising
8. Up North Trip
9. Trife Life
10. Q.U. – Hectic
11. Right Back at You
12. (The Grave Prelude)
13. Cradle to the Grave
14. Drink Away the Pain (Situations)
15. Shook Ones, Pt. II
16. Party Over
Bonus Tracks
17. Shook Ones, Part I (Original Version)
18. The Money (Version 2) (Infamous Sessions Mix)
19. Lifestyles Of The Infamous (Infamous Sessions Mix)
20. Shook Ones, Pt. I (Instrumental)
21. Shook Ones, Pt. II (Instrumental)
Fusicology Interviews MOBB DEEP – 2015
