PRODIGY - "THE REAL H.N.I.C. Mixtape (Vol. 1)" [2000]

I and The Lost Tapes was missing in action when the devastating news of Prodigy's passing hit us all like an atom bomb. He was a guy that did so much for Hip Hop, always spoke his mind, but always with the respect he estimated his opponent to be deserving of and being a smart man he understood that there was so much more to life than petty hood beef that never gets anywhere constuctive for anyone. In the end it wasn't a violent confrontation by some disgruntled low-life thinking he owed them something (often despite helping them, giving handouts and power up to a point). But are we not all men, P wasn't put here to hold your hand through your careers, the fact that he gave you a helping hand at all speaks volumes of his character. Y'all kow who I'm talking about, but fuck them, this isn't about them, 

Together with his rhyme and production patner in Havoc they created 3 classics or at least damn near classis for Loud Recods before P's health and writer's block got the better of him for a while, all while the Hip Hip landscape was shaping up differently around them. But those three albums right tere, "The Infamous....", "Helll On Earth" and "Murda Muzik" will go down in history as some of the best music the '90s had to offer both musically and lyrically. At this time they were clearly on a roll, and despite the unreleased "Murda Muzik: The Movie" being pretty damn unwatchable they did record an unreleased soundtrack for the album - granted some of the songs found other outlets later, some of them being on this very mixtape although some are only snippets to get you hyped for the actual album with WHOO KID quipping "COMING ON INFAMOUS RECORDS THAT MURDA MUZIK: THE SOUNDTRACK". Well I'm am going to bring as complete Murda Muzik Soundtrack album that is humanly possible so stay tuned for that.

But one man doesn't make Mobb Deep, but one man sure as hell made "H.N.I.C." which is in fact a better album than later Mobb Deep albums like "Infamy", "Blood Money" and "Amerika's Nightmare" (I did dig the last joint they put out as a team though). Just titling his solo "Head Nigga in Charge" was bold as hell, but his rhymes, songs, bars and personal statements and struggles on there sure as hell backed it up. You got "You Can Never Feel My Pain" (perhap the realest shit 'P' ever wrote), you got "Keep It Thoro", you had "Three", you had "Veteran's Memorial", the "Trials and Tribulations", the obligatory Mobb Deep cuts. Yes, this was everything a Mobb Deep head was wanting to hear at the time but from Prodigy's side of the spectrum and over the years it has only grown in status.

But this is not only a little mini-review of "H.N.I.C." but also a thank you to Albert Johnson for helping to shape Hip Hop as a whole and as such my own adolenscene. This is also about the official DJ Whoo Kid mixtape "H.N.I.C. Mixtape Part One" that dopped in 2000. To my knolwedge there was never a second part ever made but this mx is dope enough to rewind at least a couple of times. I've noticed that there's been floaing around a lot of fake mixtapes with this title on YouTube, basically Prodigy compilation of YT users favorite tracks. But this is the real deal. As DJ Whoo Kid shouts out "This is the best of P" several times, the tape had a few objectives to lay out. Showcase Prodigy as one of the best emcees out there and one who could do it on the solo tip, but also to promote Infamous Records with the upcoming Bars-n-Hooks (why do you think Bars N Hooks get the 5 minute opener),and the "Murda Musik: The Soundtrack" and film. There's some really sick exclusives here so press play and enjoy.

Matter of fact I was going to upload and do the Mp3 thing, but thanks to DJ Whoo Kid himself he has uploaded it to his AudioMack account. Last but not least: Rest in power Albert Johnson a.k.a. Prodigy, you were one of the truly greats and we won't let you be forgotten! 

[Future Flavas Throwback] PRODIGY & BIG NOYD

I've been going through a lot of classic moments from Pete Rock and Marley Marl's legendary Future Flavaz show in the late '90s and might very well post one of my favorites every now and then. First out is this absolutely mindblowing Prodigy and Big Noyd killing it over an unreleased Pete Rock or Marley Marl instrumental. This was most likely recorded in early '99 as P's first verse would later turn up on "Murda Muzik", the real gems here are the superb Noyd verse and especially the final Prodigy verse where he heartfelt touches on his sickle cell disease. To my knowledge none of these verses have never been released on anything before or since despite themd definitely needing to be heard. A big shout out and major thanks to my man Brandon aka Crates of Jr. for the upload, be sure to visit his excellent blog Collector's Item as well!

DJ Jean Maron Ft. Mobb Deep & Big Noyd - "Itinierary"

The second single from France's DJ Jean Maron, following the M.O.P. joint below, features the talents of Mobb Deep and Big Noyd is definitely a very stellar cut. Judging by the two tracks we've heard so far and the announced guest features, Jean Maron's "True School" album is undoubtedly one to be checking for (grab it via the iTunes link in the M.O.P. post right below)!

Big Twinz Ft. Big Noyd - "Hood On The Map"

Big Twinz has one of the most distinctive and ruffest voice in hip-hop, and coupled with the hardcore street music he constantly bring out quality music worth listening to. He recently released another digital album called "Cop on the Grill"; with a project full of of that vintage QB stylee, there's even a joint with Big Noyd called "Hood On The Map" that's really knocking. Thanks to Robbie over @ UNKUT, we can hear a Soundcloud stream of the joint below.

DJ Skizz Ft. H. Stax, Big Noyd & Panchi - "Triboro Thoro"

DJ Skizz, who's a member of the World Famous "Halftime Radio Show", is releasing his debut album as a producer on June 23. Titled "B.Q.E. (Brooklyn-Queens Experience)" the LP will serve up dope platters with some of New York's finest, including legends like OC, AG, Roc Marciano, Cormega, Masta Ace, Craig G, Havoc, Psycho Les, Ill Bill, Lil' Fame, Tragedy, General Steele, Rah Digga, and FT to name a few. For the second single of the project, Skizz arranges a crazy fat trio track with underground emcees of the highest caliber; Gang Starr affiliates Hannibal Stax and Panchi (NYGz), as well as Big Noyd.

Large Pro x Kool G Rap x Big Noyd - "Naturally Born"

Three of Queen's finest emcees line up for this knock out jam called "Naturally Born", wonderfully laced by Ayatollah. This is another single from the upcoming Coalmine Records compilation that will be out sometime early this year. I believe this is the third single and so far everything has been absolutely ridiciolous.

[Mixtape] DJ Skizz - "Kings From Queens"

DJ Skizz hits us with his latest mixtape, "Kings From Queens", showcasing a lot of talent from Queens; in particular The Bridge. The tape is hosted by Big Noyd whose also featured on more than half of the songs. All tracks are produced by Skizz and features artists such as the late great Killa Sha, Big Twinz, Meyhem Lauren, Nutso, Timeless Truth and more. "Kings From Queens" serves as the prequel to Skizz's album "B.Q.E. (Boston Queens Equation)" coming soon. I haven't had the chance to listen yet but the tracklist looks super official! Link taken from DJ Skizz's site.

01. "Queens Chronicle Intro" (Ft. Big Noyd)
02. "Santo Remedio" (Ft. Timeless Truth & Nutso)
03. "The Foulness" (Ft. Killa Sha & Big Twin)
04. "I Rap Like" (Ft. Big Noyd & KrumbSnatcha)
05. "Dreams" (Ft. Big Noyd)
06. "Lo Lifes" (Ft. Timeless Truth)
07. "The Rules" (Ft. Big Noyd)
08. "Hardbody" (Ft. Illa Ghee & Big Noyd)
09. "Security Deposit" (Ft. Big Twinz, Big Noyd & Lil' Dap)
10. "Super Official" (Ft. Meyhem Lauren)
11. "Pokerface" (Ft. Big Noyd & Ty Nitti)
12. "Sleep" (Ft. Big Noyd & Dog of ACD)
13. "Closer" [DJ Skizz Remix] (Ft. Capone -N- Noreaga)

DJ SKIZZ - "KINGS FROM QUEENS"

The Mobb Deep Fam - "Keep Gettin' That Paper"

"The Infamous Team" is a five tracks EP that was released digitally to sites like iTunes back in November. I remember checking out the tracklist and thinking it looked like a sick project, but then kinda forgot about it. A few hours ago though, Audible Doctor uploaded his featured remix of the song "Keep Getting That Paper"; a really dope cut featuring Mobb Deep, Infamous Mobb and Big Noyd. These three legendary QB acts are also the featured artists on the remaining three tracks (and original version of this song) so this extended play should definitely be well worth to listen to. Pick up "Infamous Team" @ iTunes now.

M-Phazes + Big Noyd & Strong Arm Steady

Australian producer M-Phazes has really begun making moves and making a name for himself over the last few years with sick placements on albums by the likes of M.O.P., J-Live, Pharoahe Monch and Edo G. Now, Coalmine Records are preparing a mixtape for January release which will include various tracks from their catalouge remixed by M-Phazes while the actual tape will be hosted and mixed by DJ Rhettmatic. The first single from that project has arrived, as M takes on "All Out" by Big Noyd featuring Strong Arm Steady (Krondon and Phil The Agony). Banging shit! Spotted @ KevinNottingham, thx.

Big Noyd feat. Phil The Agony & Krondon - "All Out" (M-Phazes Remix) by Diamond Media 360