Veteran’s Memorial: A Playlist In Tribute To Prodigy Of Mobb Deep

“Bandana P, Banana Clip P E’rybody move back, it’s ‘bout to get ugly….”

Scarred by constant exposure to death and violence and numbed by opioids prescribed to muffle sickle cell anemia’s periodic screams, we could never, truly, feel Prodigy’s pain. The “permanent physical suffering,” as he described it, was as much a part of the Queens MC’s life as the music that became his savior and source of infamy. That suffering, unfortunately, also took his life when he succumbed to the last of a lifetime of sickle cell crises on June 20.

Since the days of Poetical Prophets, Prodigy was hip-hop’s child rebel soldier. The horrors he endured at a young age made his warm heart turn cold. Because of that, he was able to deliver some of the most violent and chilling lines in hip-hop history as casually as most people order a pizza. The diminutive Queens native found the beauty in pain. He was a virtuoso of violence. He was a writer without peer, and one of the most unique voices to every breathe on a microphone. If you can think of New York City, and not hear “I got you stuck off the realness” echo in your mind, then I feel so sorry for you.

In honor of the late, great, Prodigy, we present Veteran’s Memorial — a collection of some of Rapper P’s classic verses, hit singles, and below the radar gems. Rest In Peace.

We’ve got your daily listening with our Spotify playlists under our username, StillCrew. Check for us.