Yesterday afternoon I was informed that Prodigy of Mobb Deep born Albert Johnson died from complications of sickle cell anemia at the age of 42. The news was shocking and heartbreaking because growing up I felt like I was an unofficial member of the Mobb like Big Noyd.
My first encounter with Mobb Deep came around the release of ‘The Infamous’ album. Later I found out that they had an album before that called ‘Juvenile hell’. This was my favorite group and Prodigy was my favorite. I played their tape daily and would force anyone who would listen to me, to give them a try.
My most memorable Mobb Deep story took place in the small town of Aliceville, Alabama. My older cousin had a black Ford Mustang that at the time had one of the loudest sound systems I ever heard. We became close and he would take me everywhere with him. I inserted ‘The Infamous’ tape in his deck and it never came out. Every trip across town or up the street we would bump this tape. During this time period in the south, Mobb Deep wasn’t popular like 8Ball & MJG, 3-6 Mafia, UGK, and guys like Tela. But I believed in Mobb Deep so much I could convince anyone that they were super dope. My cousin was my first and most important converted Mobb Deep fan.
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder that turns the hemoglobin into a sickle shape. The sickle shaped cells cause blockage that slows or stops blood flow. This causes a disturbance of oxygen to tissue, that cause severe pain known as crises. This disease hits home to me as my wife has been diagnosed with the disease her entire life. I witness her try to live a normal life but she is usually in some form of pain at any given time. Temperature changes, something we may not pay much attention to has drastic effects on her health. The sudden change in temperature if not properly regulated starts off mild but gradually becomes unbearable. I have to make sure to close the bathroom door when she showers or to keep her away from sudden changes in climate. Something so simple that we take for granted, can mean life or death to someone with the sickle cell disease.
Prodigy was hospitalized early this week after having a sickle cell pain crises after a show in Las Vegas with temperatures over 110 degrees. Prodigy battled this disease his entire life and lived life to the fullest doing what he loved. He knew his life expectancy wasn’t as long as a normal human but he worked hard at beating the odds. One of my favorite MC’s is gone physically but his music lives on for generations to come.
