Search - Mobb Deep :: Blood Money

Mobb Deep took 50 Cent's "Blood Money", so don't expect "The

J. Highsmith | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 05/06/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If anyone has listened to any form of hip hop or rap music as long as I have you know that Mobb Deep's career jump started once "Shook Ones Part 2" was released. "The Infamous" is and will always be Mobb Deep's best CD with classic tracks like "Survival Of The Fittest", "Give Up The Goods" w/Big Noyd, "Eye For A Eye" w/Nas & Raekwon, and "Drink Away The Pain". "Hell On Earth" was decent as well with tracks like "Drop A Gem On 'Em", "Extortion" w/Method Man and the title track. Then just when you thought Mobb Deep couldn't come anywhere close to "The Infamous" again they blessed us with "Murda Muzik". My favorite tracks ended up being "What's Ya Poison" w/Cormega, "The Realest" w/Kool G Rap, "It's Mine" w/Nas, "Where You From" w/8Ball and both versions of "Quiet Storm".



However, after one verse on Jay Z's "Takeover", Mobb Deep's career took a dive. After that, my man Prodigy has never been the same. I am not sure if the diss took something out of Mobb Deep, especially Prodigy, but they have never been the same. Don't get me wrong I have "Infamy", I even purchased the double disc "Free Agents: The Murda Mixtape". "Infamy" kept my attention for awhile with "Burn" w/Big Noyd, the classic "Get Away" and "Nothing Like Home" w/Littles but never in a million years would I have expected to see Mobb Deep on a track with 112. "Hey Luv (Anything)" while it was catchy did little to try to bring Mobb Deep back to some kind of respectability. "Amerika'z Nightmare", Mobb Deep's last CD, was definitely a step in the right direction. The 1st single "Got It Twisted" was a scorcher from The Alchemist, so was another favorite of mine, "Win Or Lose", as well as, "Throw Your Hands", produced by Kanye West and "One Of Ours" w/Jadakiss. After the second single, which was produced by Lil Jon, "Real Gangstaz" didn't go anywhere, Mobb Deep was on the grind again and then Curtis Jackson called.



When I first heard that Mobb Deep had signed to G-Unit I had mixed feelings. I was glad that Mobb Deep was signed to another deal but at the same time I was worried that they wouldn't be able to come close to their 2 greatest creations which were "The Infamous" and "Murda Muzik". The first Mobb Deep/G Unit collaboration that I heard was the remix to 50 Cent's "Outta Control" from "The Massacre". Dr. Dre slowed things down on the remix and the track was pretty good. The next collaboration was a track that featured 50 Cent, Mobb Deep and Nate Dogg on "Have A Party" which was featured on the "Get Rich And Die Trying" soundtrack. The track was acceptable but trust me it wasn't better than the "Outta Control" (Remix).



The 1st single on "Blood Money" is the Sha Money XL and Havoc produced "Put 'Em In Their Place". This track was definitely a step in the right direction but I was interested to see what the actual CD was going to sound like. Die hard Mobb Deep fans may have a hard time trying to stomach this CD. After about 3 listens you may have to invest in some Pepto Bismol or some Pepcid AC. Don't get me wrong, "Blood Money" does have its moments. My favorite track ends up being "The Infamous" which for some reason is the only track that The Alchemist produces. This is definitely the best beat on this CD and the closest that Hollywood Hav and V.I.P get to any of their best songs from the past. "Stole Something" has Havoc producing one of his best beats on the CD. Lloyd Banks comes along for the ride and the results are pretty good. Havoc also does a nice job on the production on "Creep". 50 adds his 2 cents to the track as well, but atleast the track is something that you can listen to. "Speakin' So Freely" features the Havoc that I have come to expect. Once Prodigy started to falter on "Infamy", Havoc started becoming the best lyrically, in my opinion, because some Mobb Deep fans thought Havoc was the best lyrically all along. However, on this track Prodigy does give him a run for his money. "Pearly Gates" features 50 on a tight sample and the M.O.B.B and Curtis "Interscope" Jackson have their best collaboration on the CD that 50 actually raps on. However, Prodigy takes things a little too far with his lyrics. Interscope wasn't having it and you will find alot of parts of his verse edited by the powers that be in Interscope. I respect most opinions that I hear about religion, but Prodigy might want to think before he starts writing rhymes. If you want to hear the actual verse you'll have to catch the song on a mixtape somewhere. I also like "Daydreamin" because of its dark beat and the way that Prodigy reminisces about the times that they wished they could be in the rap game. The 2nd single on this CD should be the Mary J Blige and 50 Cent featured "It's Alright". This song may take a while to grow on most Mobb Deep fans but this is the next best thing to a 2nd single on "Blood Money".



My problems with this CD are 1) 50 Cent is on this CD entirely too much. If you include the bonus tracks, 50 raps on the "Outta Control" (Remix), "Have A Party", "Creep", "Pearly Gates" and "It's Alright". He is also featured on the chorus of "Backstage Pass" and "The Infamous". If I really want to hear 50 on that many songs I will pull out "Guess Who's Back" or "Get Rich Or Die Trying". Why not have M.O.P. on atleast one track. If 50 can be on 7 tracks, then I need M.O.P. to be atleast on one track, if they are still in G-Unit. 2) There are too many songs where Mobb Deep is talking about how much money they made, are making or how much money they stand to make being in G Unit. Mobb Deep if you have dropped 7 CDs you should have some money. Please don't waste your time or my time telling us how much money you have or how rich you are and 3) I need someone to sit Prodigy down and play "The Infamous" and "Murda Muzik" atleast 3 times and to ask him where did the old Prodigy go and to please go find him. There are too many times on "Blood Money" where Prodigy's rhymes don't come close to matching Havoc's. I am not sure if he is taking a lazy approach to rhyming because of his newfound money, but he needs to take a long look at himself. Some tracks you will find totally ridiculous. On "Capital P, Capital H" hear is Prodigy: Capital P, Bandana P, VIP, MVP, RSVP or R.I.P, VSOP, ASAP, PCP.... Now I have never claimed to be a rapper and I never will but Prodigy even mentioning this in any shape or form demonstrates how much he has lost his skills. You won't even want to listen to "Give It To Me" featuring Young Buck a second time. That track will definitely get the skip button EVERYTIME. That's how bad it is. This may be the worst Mobb Deep song ever made. "Backstage Pass" is in a close running for second. The beat is catchy but you won't be listening to this track too many times. Just as reviewer, Constant, stated I don't need to hear them talking about groupies.



In closing, if you are a fan of "The Infamous" and "Murda Muzik" like I am and you have supported Mobb Deep as much as I have, you may not like "Blood Money". The CD does have its moments but the rating of this CD is inbetween a 2.5 and a 3. I am being as brutally honest as I can be. I know that is a harsh rating for a Mobb Deep CD, but if you don't trust me you can buy the CD and listen for yourself. On "Click Click", Tony Yayo outshines Mobb Deep on a Havoc produced track. As much as I like the energy that Tony Yayo brings to G-Unit, real Mobb Deep fans know that's not supposed to happen.

Somehow, someway Mobb Deep has to "Get Away", from the "50isms". "50isms" in so many words means that just because you have money, that doesn't mean that you have to take the easy way out and just put out a CD. There was a reason why Eminem didn't want 50 to release a CD this year. If you don't believe me listen to "The Massacre". If Mobb Deep can get back to being hungry like they were on "The Infamous" then they stand a chance, if not, the future isn't looking too bright for the M.O.B.B.



P.S. R.I.P. Proof



James' Top 5



1) The Infamous w/50 Cent

2) Speakin' So Freely

3) Pearly Gates w/ 50 Cent

4) It's Alright w/Mary J. Blige & 50 Cent

5) Daydreamin'

"

This hurts me.

T. Traver | Va | 05/26/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"like any east coast rap fan mob deep is deff a part of my cd collection. from the infamous to americas nightmare. although i lost some respect when they started beefin with nas. but if ur a tru rap fan u will always hold respect for mobb deep. and its because of those rugged grimy lyrics and non comercial sound. i mean who could possible listen to shook ones and say they wernt feelin that track. it is tru after jigga dissed them it seems it took their game down a notch. but they still continued to rap with substance. i will continue to be a fan of the pre g-unit mobb deep.

now to the part that hurts me. im not dissin 50 im just stating the facts. the fact is this is no were even close to what mobb deep is all about. and i no it is part their fualt but they are rappin bout money ice and hoes. this is def 50 leadin them in the direction to make money and b comercial. the problem is the mobb cnt b comercial. they never tryed and thats y they were sick. but 50 cent is now puttin a very bad end to a great career. he is on almost every track i could have sworn havoc and prodigy were the only to member of the group. but i guess under g-unit 50 wants to be in mobb deep 2 more then half the tracks are about how g-unit gets all the groppies. and yes mobb deep is rappin about screwin chicks. hey it hurts me to say it. there are flashes of the old mobb the inafmous mobb. there is only on song produced by the alcamist and it is tight. i mean u sign him to g unit y not use him. i veiwed this cd as a chance for 50 cent to gain some respect back in the real rap game. i mean he had a blue print to make a classic raw mobb deep cd. he could have had the alchamist on every other track put m.o.p. on like 2 or 3 tracks. have buck rappin about killin ppl instead of bangin hoes and 50 himself could have not been on the album or like one or 2 tracks. then most importantly told mobb deep to rap like they used to.

its def sad to see 2 veterains in the rap game look like the new york version of ying yang twins. well dnt buy this cd download the 4 or 5 hot tracks the rest is trash. R.I.P. Mobb Deep"

Mobb Deep - Blood Money

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 05/02/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Mobb Deep's seventh album is "Blood Money" (2006). The duo of Prodigy and Havoc have released some excellent albums over the years, my own favorites being "The Infamous" & "Hell on Earth". This is also Mobb Deep's first release since they signed with 50 Cent and aligned themselves with G-Unit. I think this disturbed a lot of old time fans- and maybe with good reason. My opinion has always been it doesn't really matter where Mobb Deep is at as long as they are making quality music. Guest appearances on this release come from G-Unit's: Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, with Mary J Blige and Nate Dogg also providing contributions. After the intro Mobb Deep get things going with the single "Put Em In There Place", it's a decent track but the beat and hook are the type that I find to get repetitive real quickly. "Stole Something" and "Creep" fall under skip material for me, Lloyd Banks is especially bland on the first cut, both tracks have all parties sounding sluggish. Mobb Deep step things up a little bit for the ominous "Speakin So Freely". "Backstage Pass" is hurting, why would anyone care to hear about Mobb Deep talking to their groupies. Young Buck and Tony Yayo do little to elevate the next two cuts. The hardest hitting track on this release for me is "Pearly Gates", 50 Cent laces this cut with an impressive chorus, while Havoc lays down the first two verses and Prodigy finishes it with his own anti religious thoughts (which may piss some people off). "Daydreaming" is a sort of rags to riches joint where Mobb relish the fact they have made it, the next tracks are really the same format in that they are about getting paid. "It's Alright" has the makings of a commercial single, Mary J Blige and 50 Cent drop in on this cut, I have never really been a fan of Mobb Deep love related cuts don't feel its a genre that works for them. "Have A Party" was used on the Get Rich or Die Trying Soundtrack, not a track I like at all. The "Outta Control" (Remix) was the first 50 Cent/Mobb Deep collaborations I heard, it is a feel good track and my favorite on this release. Standouts for on this release include the remix closer and "Pearly Gates", I am not impressed by the majority of G-Unit contributions found throughout this release although 50 does help out on the standouts. Maybe a new generation who never listened to the early classic Mobb albums can pick this one up, and love it. And their will be some long time fans who will feel the same way. Personally to me, Mobb Deep seem watered down, and simply tired lyrically for the most part. That raw street hunger that I loved about them has now been replaced with the: we are getting paid, and own this etc. I am happy to see Mobb Deep is making money but I don't need to hear about it for a whole album. I heard that the Mobb will be helping produce Sam Scarfo's debut album I am looking forward to that one. I think opinions will vary a lot on "Blood Money", this is one of those rare cases where I recommend people give it a full listen and judge for themselves."