Eminem & Kendrick Lamar Pay Their Respects To Prodigy By Spitting His Bars (Audio)
Kendrick Lamar and Eminem paid tribute to the late Mobb Deep co-founder Prodigy by rapping some of his verses for a segment on Peter Rosenberg’s Real Late HOT 97 show. Both outspoken fans of the recently deceased New York MC, Em’ and “Kung Fu Kenny” opened the show with portions of their “Survival of the Fittest” classic off The Infamous and “Genesis” off P’s solo debut H.N.I.C., respectively. “I just want to say rest in peace to Prodigy,” added ‘Em. “We love you, homie. Hip-Hop loves you.”
The segments open the show:
Kendrick also paid his respects to the iconic Loud Records MC via his “Best Male Hip-Hop Artist” acceptance speech at the 2017 BET Awards on Sunday. Receiving the trophy from Mobb Deep’s Havoc and “Quiet Storm (Remix)” collaborator Lil’ Kim, Lamar revealed P’s influence on his first mixtape, Hub City Threat: Minor Of The Year (Y.H.N.I.C.), at age 16. That work emulated the title of Prodigy’s 2000 solo debut.
“Off that album, I was inspired to study my skills and work on my connection with my neighborhood and how can I inspire them the same way that he inspired the streets,” he shared. “May he rest in peace forever in paradise.”
Eminem worked extensively with Havoc, both on 2010’s Recovery and his 2011 Bad Meets Evil album with Royce 5’9. Two of Mobb Deep’s most beloved Infamous songs, “Shook Ones Part 2” and “Survival Of The Fittest” appeared in the film 8 Mile.
Mobb Deep’s Havoc Speaks About His Devastation Over Losing Prodigy (Video)
Previously, Em’s protege 50 Cent signed Mobb Deep to a one album deal at G-Unit/Interscope Records in 2005.
In other news, P’s New York City funeral has been made open to the public:
A News Traffic Report Gives Up The Goods For Prodigy In An Amazing Tribute (Video)
The event takes place this Thursday (June 29) at Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel (1076 Madison Ave). Open public visitation takes place from 2-5 PM.