Prodigy Exclusive Album Listening Session
Words: Marissa J. Lonardo a.k.a. MJ

They can lock him down and try to knock him down too, but they can’t quite stop the wrath of Prodigy. With his blog being the topic of discussions on the daily, P isn’t letting anyone forget about him anytime soon. And that was the theme at his album release press party at Smash Studios in Manhattan last week.

The fete which included catered soul food, Henny on the rocks and some of P’s top comrades including his partner Havoc, his long time producer Alchemist, and Big Noyd, who I like to call the honorary member of Mobb Deep, were just a few of his peeps showing love for P and his latest creation H.N.I.C. Pt. 2.

The album which was blasting via speakers throughout the multi-room studio was the soundtrack of the evening. And in the middle of listening to the album and getting time to speak with P’s crew, we got a special treat that included P's taped call in from the pen.

In the phone call P states that the title of the album is a continuation of his first solo project and made it abundantly clear that the album including the N word in the title had nothing to do with what another Queensbridge alum is doing for his up and coming album. (For the record P was the first rapper from his old stomping ground to use the N word in an album title but with an A on the end not an ER) P also stated that he named the album like the first after his Granny. He stated she was the OG H.N.I.C. P was also adamant on letting his fans know that he is still with them through his blog and that it really is him who is writing it. He also stated that his lawyers are working on getting him released sooner than his mandatory 3 year plus sentence. Prodigy commented on the significance of his CD stating that it's important that with his solo albums he can speak freely and not have worry about his messages reflecting on Havoc.

Once I caught up with Havoc at the party he also agreed. "We both will always make music together, but sometimes P says things that I agree with or don't and it helps both of us be known as individuals, but we will always be Mobb Deep too. What we've done together is a legacy that will live on past us and we both know that," says Havoc.

Growing up together Havoc admits that they never had anyone guiding them in any direction, they always were the artists and that was a decision they both thought was right at the time. "You live in learn ya know maybe we should have done the business side differently but our music could have suffered and we have made some ill records."

And although H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 is P’s solo effort, Havoc isn’t far behind. "I produced some joints, ya know I needed to add my touch," admits Havoc.

Alchemist, another friend of P who executive produced the album also expressed his support. "The album is sick, I feel P gets better with each record and his skills and point of view on this record is on point and real."

Big Noyd who shows up on the album agreed, "P is a master of storytelling and every time I get in the studio with him he makes me better because I gotta get my rhymes up to par with him."

Although Prodigy wasn't there in the flesh his presence was still felt in a major way. Prodigy knows that he has made mistakes and if you look at any great artist, they’re all as imperfect as the art they create and that’s what makes us love them more, true indeed.

H.N.I.C. 2 in stores now.

Check out P’s Blog: www.hnic2.com