Artist: Mobb Deep
Interviewer: MetroGnome

SoundSlam recently had the opportunity to get up with Prodigy of the "Infamous" Queensbridge duo, Mobb Deep. Touted as creating one of the illest albums of the mid 90s and the "Golden Era", Prodigy and Havoc have done what many rap groups have difficulty doing: appealing to listeners that revel in both mainstream and underground circles. And at a point when many heads deemed Deep down and out, the Mobb joined the G-Unit massive. Prodigy gives SoundSlam some serious insight into how the group is both sticking to its guns as well as reinventing itself with some major business moves, not to mention his thoughts on the Nas-Jay Z union. Prodigy says they ain't done yet, dun! Check it.

SoundSlam: So you guys have created a hardcore fan base over the last 12, 13 years with all of your releases. What's the recipe, in your mind, for maintaining a stronghold with your listeners?

Mobb Deep: Just stickin' to what we do. Stickin' to our formula. We create our own sound, so we just stick to that. We don't try to change for nobody.

SoundSlam: Do you guys have a kind of formula that you've agreed upon [over the years] or is it just non-verbal and you just know [what to do]?

Mobb Deep: Yeah, it's just natural, man. I mean, from the beginning we just created our own sound and we just stuck to it.

SoundSlam: Yeah. Now, I'm curious, do you ever have fans step to you in public and tell you what they do or don't like about your records or the moves you've made?

Mobb Deep: Yeah, of course. You got people that say their opinions about sh*t. That's cool.

SoundSlam: It doesn't bother you?

Mobb Deep: Naw, everyone got their own opinions about everything.

SoundSlam: Right, right. Now, you guys made the G-Unit move which was surprising to some people and others kind of anticipated it. Now that you're getting on the grind with them, are you pleased with the position you are in?

Mobb Deep: Yeah, definitely, because any real fan of Mobb Deep is gonna be happy for us right now because Mobb Deep is gonna be bigger and better now. We're getting more TV exposure, more radio exposure, more touring. And, we're working with Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Eminem, Havoc and all these artists and producers working together... it's incredible.

SoundSlam: Yeah, same with M.O.P. really. Now, with this next question, it's related, in a sense. What do you think about the Nas-Jay Z union they have going on now.

Mobb Deep: I think, you know, that they did it only because of what happened with us and G-Unit. I think that was the only real reason why they did it.

SoundSlam: You think Mobb Deep was really a motivating factor for someone like Nas to make that move?

Mobb Deep: Definitely. They might have been thinking about it before, but I think that the reason why they actually did it was because of what happened with our situation... it was like a counter-move.

SoundSlam: Do you ever speak to any of them at all?

Mobb Deep: Naw, it really ain't no relationship [with them]. We respect what they do and it's all good. Those are the artists that we looked up to when we were coming up, so it's all good.

SoundSlam: So you're just gonna keep it moving?

Mobb Deep: Yeah, it's our turn now!

SoundSlam: Word. So, I grew up listening to all your guys' sh*t and in the mid 90s, you guys came up on Loud Records, which at that time was kind of the ideal position for an East coast cat to be in. Now, being on G-Unit, which appears to be to be more of an extended family, how do the labels or relationships between Loud and G-Unit compare?

Mobb Deep: Umm, it's like a totally different planet really. Loud was cool... we built Loud from the ground up... us and Wu-Tang. And we was kids coming up and, you know, Loud did what they could do. They were the best at street promotions and all that... actually, they really wasn't the best, they started street promotions and the street teams... Steve Rifkind started the street teams. Before him there was none. But, there was a lot of groundbreaking stuff happenin' over there and we was glad to be a part of it, definitely. But G-Unit and Interscope is a whole 'nother planet because you're dealing with way bigger budgets and you dealin' with a way bigger machine to get your music out there to the whole planet instead of just regional or national.

SoundSlam: Yeah, definitely... I got you. Is Mobb Deep on their own doing any sort of promotions... do you guys have any promotional companies on the side?

Mobb Deep: We definitely gonna get started with all of that as the relationship progresses with G-Unit. We definitely gonna take more of the executive positions and signin' acts and puttin' our expertise and skills into the marketing and promotions of all that.

SoundSlam: No doubt. Now you guys have this new album, Blood Money, coming out. The title is interesting to me because you guys have been able to make a dope living with clean money... at least I suspect it's clean money (laughing)...

Mobb Deep: (laughing) Yeah.

SoundSlam: ... So what does the name mean to y'all?

Mobb Deep: I mean, to us, Blood Money... well, number one, we always choose a title that's shocking when you hear it... you know, where you want to read into it when you first hear it. But, you know, what we really mean is that all money is "blood money" and the whole world was built off of "blood money" and there ain't nothin' good about it... it's the root of all evil. That's basically what we're trying to say.

SoundSlam: If money is the root of all evil, is there anything positive that can come out of it, instead of everybody just hunting each other over it?

Mobb Deep: Of course, I mean, it is what it is. That's just how life is... you can do good with it or do bad, but the bottom line is that the roots of it all are evil. You just have to make the best of it, know what I'm sayin'?

SoundSlam: That's true... there are a lot of people that will do someone else in for some cheese, unfortunately.

Mobb Deep: Yeah. You just gotta know what's good and what's bad, what you not s'posed to do and what you are s'posed to do, but even when you know all that, you still can't escape the fact that the root of it all is evil.

SoundSlam: Word. Well, I'm a DJ and I love the new single "Put 'Em In Their Place". Now, as far as Havoc... he is ill on the boards and has been for years, but he doesn't get talked about as much, as far as dope producers are concerned. Do you guys kind of prefer the underdog position or mentality or does it make you shi**y that you haven't gotten, aside from Infamous, the recognition consistently.

Mobb Deep: I would say that that happenin' made us who we are. That's the reason that we're so hungry and we keep going... it fuels our fire when they try to do that. Also, I think they do that because they're scared of us. Because we're heavy competition. And in reality... they don't want to admit to reality... because that would put the light on us and take the light away from them. It's all good. They can act like we don't exist. Magazines don't have to put us on their covers. And when they talk about the best in rap music, it's all good if they don't want to mention Mobb Deep because that's what fuels our fire and makes us who we are?

SoundSlam: You still as hungry as you were ten years ago?

Mobb Deep: Of course! Because we didn't accomplish our dreams and our goals yet. We did a little bit, but like I said, we was young when we first started and had our success so now we're at the point where at least 50 gave us a chance to show the world what Mobb Deep's dreams and plans and goals is so we can make it happen.

SoundSlam: I feel you. As far as "Put 'Em In Their Place" is concerned, do you ever feel public pressure to look or act or be a certain way, like people expect you to be on edge 100% of the time or having people test you?

Mobb Deep: Naw, basically ain't nothin' changed... same as it's always been. It's always 98% love, 2% hatred and it's always gonna be like that. It's like 'whatever'... nothin' out the ordinary going on now with this new situation. It's still the same in the streets and we still walk up the block and people be like "Yo, we love Mobb Deep! Keep your sh*t goin'!" But you get your little scared m*th*f*ck*s that drive by in the car and yell somethin' but if they were walkin' next to us, they wouldn't dare say it.

SoundSlam: It's like the guy that will only fight someone if all his peoples are there behind him.

Mobb Deep: Exactly. That's the 2% of hate that we get. Little scared m*th*f*ck*s doin' that corny sh*t.

SoundSlam: Word. Lastly, let's discuss the record. Do you have Alchemist or anyone else on production?

Mobb Deep: Yeah, as far as production, Havoc handles that for Mobb Deep. But we have guest producers on the album like Dr. Dre, Alchemist, Sha Money XL, a few people... but it's basically mostly Havoc.

SoundSlam: Any other MC's on board?

Mobb Deep: We just kept it Mobb Deep, really, but we have a few other G-Unit members on board. We got 50, Banks, Buck, Yayo. And we did a song with Mary J. Blige, so she's really the only person outside the camp that's on the album.

SoundSlam: Okay, okay. Do you have any other thoughts, ideas, or moves we didn't cover?

Mobb Deep: Just let everybody know that this deal we made with G-Unit is bigger than just a record deal. We are in business with 50 Cent. We got a film company, we got a book company, we got a Reebok deal, a G-Unit clothing deal, a record company. It's amazing what just went down and a lot of people don't know that. They be like, 'Oh, they just up under G-Unit' but it's not really even like that... it's more than that.

SoundSlam: So all those things you just mentioned, are those Mobb Deep exclusive or are those just the G-Unit stuff?

Mobb Deep: Naw, those are our companies that are all part of the deal that we made. It's in our contract, so it's like we'll be doin' the autobiography of Mobb Deep and then the movie to the book. And we are doin' some things with Reebok so we'll have some things goin' on with them as far as whatever clothing and merchandise. We got some things going on with Crown Royal, the liquor company. We doin' some top secret stuff with them that you'll see in a minute.

SoundSlam: Wow, I wasn't aware of all of that.

Mobb Deep: Yeah, it's a lot of stuff. I mean, music is just a small part of the deal. It's the biggest and it's what made the deal happen, but compared to everything else, it's just part of it. We like to say that we're in business together... we didn't just sign to G-Unit. I mean, we have a story to tell and we gonna do it right, know what I'm sayin'? We like that we're gonna put the book out and then the movie and just show our whole lifestyle as far as clothes and everything that we do.

SoundSlam: I got you.

Mobb Deep: And also, we got the G-Unit tats on our hand to show each other what time it is. And 50 got the Infamous Mobb Deep tat on his wrist.

SoundSlam: Does he?

Mobb Deep: Yeah, we all got that on the road when we was on the Massacre tour, so this sh*t is a serious situation and it's not what people think. For those that aren't supportin' us right now and they on some hatred sh*t, they gonna feel real stupid when the album drops because it's gonna be the only album they're playin', know what I'm sayin'? Word (laughing).

SoundSlam: (laughing) Okay, okay. And what's the official shelf date?

Mobb Deep: March... excuse me... May 2nd.

SoundSlam: That's what it is... good looks Prodigy!

Mobb Deep: No doubt. Thanks dun.