Prodigy

Born 1974-11-02 · Hempstead, New York, U.S.

Died 2017-06-20

Albert Johnson, better known as “Prodigy,” was a member of the rapping duo ‘Mobb Deep.’ He belonged to a family of musicians and studied art and design in Manhattan, where he met Kejuan Muchita. The duo started performing as the ‘Poetical Prophets’ and later became famous as ‘Mobb Deep.’ His friend adopted the stage name “Havoc.” Their studio album, ‘The Infamous,’ was certified “gold,” which was closely followed by the hit albums ‘Hell on Earth’ and ‘Murda Muzik.’ Their music, which portrayed the dark side of New York’s urban landscape, became popular as hardcore gangsta rap. His first solo album, ‘H.N.I.C.,’ was equally popular. Prodigy faced several criminal charges during his career and served a three-and-a-half-year prison term on charges of illegal gun possession. ‘Mobb Deep’ temporarily split during his prison sentence but reunited when Prodigy was released. He suffered from a blood disorder called sickle-cell anemia since birth, and that caused him extreme bouts of pain that he expressed in his number ‘You Can Never Feel My Pain.’ He married Ikesha Dudley, with whom he lived for a short duration. He was hospitalized while performing in Las Vegas due to complications from sickle-cell anemia and died at the age of 42. In his short-lived career, Prodigy proved to be a legend of rap.