My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy

Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

Apr 2011 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

From one of the greatest rappers of all time, the memoir of a life cut short, a revealing look at the dark side of hip hop’s Golden Era...

In this often violent but always introspective memoir, Mobb Deep’s Prodigy tells his much anticipated story of struggle, survival, and hope down the mean streets of New York City. For the first time, he gives an intimate look at his family background, his battles with drugs, his life of crime, his relentless suffering with sickle-cell anemia, and much more. Recently released after serving three and a half years in state prison due to what many consider an unlawful arrest by a rumored secret NYPD hip hop task force, Prodigy is ready to talk about his life as one of rap’s greatest legends.

My Infamous Life is an unblinking account of Prodigy’s wild times with Mobb Deep who, alongside rappers like Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and Wu-Tang Clan, changed the musical landscape with their vivid portrayals of early ’90s street life. It is a firsthand chronicle of legendary rap feuds like the East Coast–West Coast rivalry; Prodigy’s beefs with Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ja Rule, and Capone-N-Noreaga; and run-ins with prodigal hit makers and managers like Puff Daddy, Russell Simmons, Chris Lighty, Irv Gotti, and Lyor Cohen.

Taking the reader behind the smoke-and-mirrors glamour of the hip hop world, so often seen as the only way out for those with few options, Prodigy lays down the truth about the intoxicating power of money, the meaning of true friendship and loyalty, and the ultimately redemptive power of self. This is the heartbreaking journey of a child born in privilege, his youth spent among music royalty like Diana Ross and Dizzy Gillespie, educated in private schools, until a family tragedy changed everything. Raised in the mayhem of the Queensbridge projects, Prodigy rose to the dizzying heights of fame and eventually fell into the darkness of a prison cell.

A truly candid memoir, part fearless confessional and part ode to the concrete jungles of New York City, from the front line of the last great moment in hip hop history.

Ratings and reviews

I've always been a fan of Mobb Deep since Infamous. This is a great book and I remember most of this incidents that he talks about and I've always wonder why Queens rappers stop collaboration for a few years This book explains it. Cant wait for his new album!

As a long time Mobb Deep fan I was excited to read what P had to say and he does not dissapoint. Great insights and vivid tales from the Hip Hop industry and the streets. He holds nothing back and really surprised me with just how much he would reveal. Don't sleep on this book!

Just finish this book, (audio book: read by prodigy himself) one of the best books I ever read(listened to) ever and so far the best by an artist!! Good job P.

About the author

Albert “Prodigy” Johnson was one half of the platinum selling hip-hop duo, Mobb Deep. Widely considered one of the most skilled lyricists in the history of hard-core East Coast rap, Prodigy lost a life-long battle with sickle cell anemia in 2017.