The Bronx, New York is undeniably the birthplace of Hip-Hop, as we know it. But since Hip-Hop’s induction to the masses, other boroughs have fittingly etched their names into the archives as well. With the Bronx gaining major cool points for being the foundation, and Brooklyn having so much of its own history; it would be a waste of time to even mention accolades, where does Queens, New York fit in? Or better yet, Queensbridge, New York? If you’re good at word association, then CNN (Capone-N-Noreaga), Marley Marl, Nas, MC Shan, Cormega, and other notables first come to mind.

“The Bridge” (as its most commonly referred) has ushered out some of the most well known personnel in urban music, and who can be more equipped to help “The Bridge” from being over than Mobb Deep.

There’s not a lot of things that people aren’t familiar with when you think about Mobb Deep as a whole, but the information highway might have a slight traffic jam in it when The Mobb’s front man, Albert “Prodigy” Johnson is mentioned.

His battle with Sickle Cell Anemia has been well documented over the course of his career, but that illness didn’t deter him from releasing his first solo effort, H.N.I.C. back in 2000, which sold over 700,000 copies.

Another tid-bit that fans might have stored in the back of their memories, is his brie f squabble with Jay-Z. When most artists kept their mouths shut because of Hov’s status at that point in time, Prodigy didn’t let any of that intimidate him, and still managed to get some things off his chest.

After playing the label version of musical chairs for a few years, The Mobb hooked up with G-Unit, and right when things were starting to look good for the duo once again, the man known as “Bandana P” pleaded guilty to gun charges on October 9th, 2007. And starting in January 2008, he will start his mandatory sentence of 3 ½ years in prison.

During this time, his long awaited sequel to H.N.I.C. (H.N.I.C. Part 2) will be released through Voxonic Music using new state of the art technology that will translate his voice into 1,400 different dialects. Even though “P” will be marking down the days to his freedom when this album meets the hands of consumers, he can be proud knowing that this is still a monumental achievement for himself, as well as Hip-Hop.

So until Prodigy is able to once again breathe that New York City air that he’s so found of, he’ll have to take the advice of the immortal Tupac Shakur, and keep his head up. And not to worry, because Queensbridge will be waiting for his return.

How did you first come about getting the deal with Voxonic Music to release H.N.I.C. 2 through them?

Basically somebody I knew set up a meeting with them for me. We heard about their technology, so we reached out to them, and we came together in the meeting and had a nice little talk. So my album is coming out, and I also have a position up there we’re I’m going to able to sign other artists, and I’m also a partner in the company.

Was it your idea to have it released in so many languages?

It was something that they came to the table with. That’s their technology that they own the patent on. They came up with the idea to promote the technology through music, and after that they made a deal with Ky-Mani Marley, that was the first deal they made. And I’m the second artist they signed, and the first rapper; you know what I’m saying.

Do you feel any pressure because you’re the first rapper they signed?

Um, nah no pressure at all, I’m just going to do what I do. And you know, we already got the money, power, and connections for it to be a success, know what I mean.

That’s cool. But you’re still on G-Unit right?

Yeah I still got the G-Unit deal with Mobb Deep, so it a good thing man, it’s a good thing. We’re definitely able to eat. We’re able to eat with the G-Unit/Mobb albums and we’re able to eat with independent albums at the same time.

So even though you’re still signed to G-Unit Records, you can still make deals with other record labels?

Yeah. From the way we structured the deal, we’re able to do our Mobb Deep albums through G-Unit, and we’re able to get our independent money with our solo careers.

Speaking of solo careers. You released Return Of The Mac not too long ago, and now H.N.I.C. 2. Is there any reason you chose to do another solo project as opposed to a Mobb Deep record?

Well basically H.N.I.C. 2 is my second solo album, and I put out Return Of The Mac just as a mixtape. Also on the Return Of The Mac, you’ll hear me say: “This is just a mix CD, wait until you hear the album.” So I let people know that album was just a mixtape CD. Basically it took me so long to put out H.N.I.C. 2 because I was on tour with Mobb Deep, and I was doing Mobb Deep deals. You know, just trying to keep Mobb Deep relevant you know what I mean, because “Mobb Deep” made everything else possible.

So after “The Massacre Tour” and “The Blood Money Tour”, I had a chance to sit down and work on the album, and really finish it up you know what I mean.

Yeah I can dig it. But since we’re talking about projects you’ve been involved with, a lot of people had negative views on how your last solo/group projects turned out. Were you happy with the outcome of them?

Definitely. All of our projects was a success. So it was definitely a good outcome, and I look back on them and I’m like: “WOW!” “We’re doing some sh*t right now, and we’re not done.” Right now we’re making a mark, so we gotta keep marking this mothaf**ka.

Did you try anything different on this record? Or did you keep everything the same?

Basically the style is very much the same, the only thing different is I’m just putting all the information out there and getting my lyrics into the songs.

You’ve been in the rap game well over ten years. How much do you think you’ve grown?

Well I definitely got smarter and wiser. It’s just that I grew up a lot; you know what I mean. When [we] first came in the game, we were like 14-15, so we grew up a lot. People got to grow with Mobb Deep. That’s the thing about us, you buy our album and you’re growing with us.

Right now you’re getting ready to serve your jail sentence. How are your spirits? Do you feel strong-minded?

Yeah definitely. Just working hard and being myself everyday. I’m just busting my ass to make sure this music is hot. That’s it man. That’s all that matters to me in life.  

You mentioned your life, and people always paint you in this negative light. What’s the biggest misconception about Prodigy?

That there’s definitely nothing negative about me, I’m a very positive person you know what I mean. I got a wall blocking out negativity, and I’m only negative when I need to be, you know what I’m saying. Everybody has a little negative in them, its just natural in this universe. You just have to know what to do with it, and you have to control it

I dig it. Do you still plan to work on projects while you’re inside?

Yeah, yeah I’m going to be working on new sh*t while I’m in there. You don’t never chill. The sun never stops burning. I write a lot of scripts for movies, and we’re going to make it happen.

How would you say rapping is compared to acting?

Well they’re too different things, but if you don’t take it serious, then it’s not going to work. Basically you just have to know what you’re doing, and you really have to be good at it.

If you were to stop doing Hip-Hop all together, how would you want to be remembered?

I just want to be remembered as: “WOW!” “They did it for a LONG TIME!” “Them n***as kept dropping albums like BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!” “When are you going to stop man, sh*t?!”  That’s it.