Over the years The Infamous have built a strong, die-hard fan base for their gritty street music, and these fans have been waiting a good minute for Prodigy and Havoc to give them a taste of something new as a team. While this 5 track EP doesn't give them all that they'd wished for, it has still created enough hype to keep their hopes up and leave them anticipating what's to come.
Dead Man Shoes [PROD BY BEAT BUTCHA] An unexpected track choice for a Mobb intro. This one is a little more hype than what we have heard them open with over the years… from the the delivery of the lyrics, down to the Bounty Killer feature. Simple beat, but Beat Butcha delivers that hard, solid backdrop that P & Hav need to talk their shit. The production gets the job done and sets the tone for Amerikaz Nightmares to bring that Murda Muzik back.
Black Cocaine [PROD BY ALCHEMIST] Feels good to hear something that brings us back to past QB anthems from the duo with a twist, and teaming up with Alc again to try and bring that classic sound back is only right. Gritty pianos and dark heavy bass drive the track. Although some of the piano chords seem to give the beat a happy feel at times, their vocal tones and grimy verses take over- letting u know… there's nothing nice here, Dun.
Read the rest after the Jump!
Conquer [PROD BY HAVOC] Off rip u know this one is a problem. Even with the same sample chop repeating throughout, Hav does the beat justice with the bass line, switching it up here and there just enough to keep it moving. Mobb boasts about maintaining their top spot, while the brass gives the track that epic, triumphant sound.
Get It Forever [PROD BY ALCHEMIST] Something a lot of 90s hip hop heads have been waiting for for a minute. Production might sound redundant in comparison to more recent trends, but is undoubtedly reminiscent of the era that Mobb and Nas played a key role in defining and perfect for these 3 QB emcees to do what they do best. Sample and perfectly clashing drums are on point for this type of joint. Couldn't ask for more.
Last Days [PROD BY FREAK BEATS] Piano and a mean guitar make this probably the most standout cut on the EP. This one should catch the ear of the younger generation and the new class of producers on the come up. The instrumentation paired with an undeniable flow makes you wish you could hear M-O-B-B like this more often and was catered perfect to the Queensbridge natives.
Although music has evolved a lot since the 90's Mobb era where their simple braggadocios rhymes, and their to the point depictions of violence and hood life reigned supreme- I think the duo have proved with this that they can still hold their own. What they have shown with this EP is that they can still be the classic Mobb Deep we love to hear, and make a newer twist work for them without straying too far out of their lane. That throwback sound was what loyal mob fans were missing with their last release under G-Unit, that created doubt in their future. I'm not sure that they can ever replicate that exact feeling we got when we listened straight through classic Mobb Deep albums back in the day… but they can still keep our attention, and def know how to leave the fans wanting more! Hopefully we will see a full length album release from them sooner than later. Overall, I give it a 3.5 out of 5
**Track by Track Review written by me for istandardproducers.com
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