‘Infinite’ — Mobb Deep: Album Review

Mobb Deep’s new album Infinite dropped Oct. 10, bringing one of the legendary East Coast hip-hop duos back to center stage. The duo is made up of Prodigy and Havoc, both born in 1974 in New York. This is the first official album on streaming services from the duo since Mobb Misses Pt. 2 was released in 2008, and the first record since Prodigy’s death in 2017.

Produced mainly by Havoc, with contributions from The Alchemist, the album features unreleased verses from the late Prodigy, giving it the feel of both a tribute and new art.

The album also includes legendary guest appearances from Nas, Clipse (Pusha T and Malice), Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. Jorja Smith and H.E.R. also appear on the record as vocalists.

Infinite is a raw, hardcore hip-hop record, reminiscent of what made Mobb Deep legendary in the 1990s. The tracks feature explicit themes and lyrics typical of the genre.

“Against the World” opens the album on a somewhat underwhelming note, as neither verse really stands out. The lyrical content is lackluster, but the production is strong and sets the tone for the rest of the record.

“Gunfire” is a standout track, with strong verses from both Havoc and Prodigy. The simplicity of the hook — simply repeating the title — works well, though a touch more creativity from Havoc could have elevated it further.

“Easy Bruh” contains one of my favorite Havoc verses on the record, including a clever connection between firearms and pencils, using the word “draw” to reference both drawing a gun and drawing on paper. It’s a very strong track as the record begins to heat up.

Track 4, “Look at Me,” is the first to feature a guest appearance, this time from Clipse, the legendary duo of Pusha T and Malice. The pair also returned this year with Let God Sort ’Em Out, a critically acclaimed record that currently holds the top user score on Album of the Year.

It’s clear why these two legendary duos teamed up on “Look at Me.” The track features a strong hook over gritty, menacing production, with all four artists delivering lyrically intense verses. Pusha T and Malice trade lines seamlessly, with Havoc dropping a verse of his own in the middle, making it one of the record’s standout tracks.

“The M. The O. The B. The B.” features an old-school hook that feels dated in the modern era. Havoc delivers one of his strongest verses on the record, but the lackluster production and underwhelming features keep the track from being truly notable.

“Down for You” takes a sudden turn into a slower ballad, anchored by calming string production. Jorja Smith delivers a beautiful hook before Nas takes the second verse, opening with a nod to his 1999 collaboration “It’s Mine” and continuing the track’s romantic theme.

“Taj Mahal” isn’t a bad track by any means. It features a creative hook that plays with different times across five of the eight lines, classic Alchemist sample production, and themes of rising from a rough life in Queens to living lavishly.

I’m torn on “Mr. Magik.” The lyrics are deep and graphic, sometimes to an uncomfortable degree. The storyline is strong, but the hook falls a bit flat.

“Score Points” is one of the few tracks where The Alchemist’s production doesn’t quite click. The chorus doesn’t do much, and Havoc’s verse is mediocre. Prodigy’s verse is incredible, but overall, it’s the weakest song on the album.

“My Era” features a unique hook that name-drops other successful rappers from Mobb Deep’s prime. I like the tributes to the people who helped rap evolve into what it is today. Strong verses and a hard-hitting Alchemist drumline make this a solid track.

“Pour the Henny” is a masterpiece, featuring a verse from Prodigy that hits hard as he lists his career achievements, making his absence even more bittersweet. Nas appears again with his iconic flow, riding Havoc’s production and ending his verse with a tribute to Prodigy.

On “Clear Black Nights,” Mobb Deep teams up with Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. Both Mobb Deep members deliver strong verses, and Ghostface arguably gives the best feature on the record. Raekwon’s slightly underwhelming verse keeps this from being a perfect 10.

Track 13, “Discontinued,” is a 50/50 effort. Havoc shines on his verse, but Prodigy falls short, and the middling production leaves the track slightly above average.

“Love the Way” closes out Infinite’s collaborations, featuring Nas for the third time alongside H.E.R., who sings the hook. Nas references himself again, nodding to Track 6 by flipping Jorja Smith and H.E.R. on the second line while still connecting to his original “It’s Mine” collaboration. He completes a 3-for-3 performance on the album with stellar verses. H.E.R. delivers another smooth hook, and Prodigy adds a verse packed with humorous lines before the track ends.

The album concludes with “We the Real Thing,” a Havoc-produced instrumental driven by a recurring synth line that maintains the track’s momentum. It’s meant to represent what Mobb Deep considers authentic hip-hop — a fitting close for a duo that has stayed true to the art for more than 30 years.

Infinite is a masterful showcase of Mobb Deep — a duo many thought was gone for good. This album highlights Havoc and Prodigy’s storytelling and lyricism, as well as stellar production from Havoc and The Alchemist. The features are consistently strong, each adding depth to the record. Overall, Infinite balances homage to hip-hop’s past with a modern touch, cementing Mobb Deep’s legacy in the genre.

Rating: 8/10
Top 3 Tracks: “Look at Me,” “Pour the Henny,” “Clear Black Nights”
Bottom 3 Tracks: “Against the World,” “Discontinued,” “Score Points”

Jack Dobbins is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jwd5889@psu.edu