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Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

(Musician) Prodigy

My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy Hardcover – April 19, 2011

by Albert "Prodigy" Johnson (Author), Laura Checkoway

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From one of the greatest rappers of all time, a memoir about a life almost lost and 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, My Infamous Life is written by a man who was on the front line of the last great moment in hip hop history and who is still fighting to achieve his very own American Dream.

Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Touchstone
Publication date

April 19, 2011
Dimensions

6.13 x 1.2 x 9.13 inches
ISBN-10

1439103186
ISBN-13

978-1439103180
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Editorial Reviews

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.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Touchstone; First Edition (April 19, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1439103186
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439103180
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.16 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.13 x 1.2 x 9.13 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,075,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #561 in Rap & Hip-Hop Musician Biographies
- #934 in Rap Music (Books)
- #16,943 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
614 ratings

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Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

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Albert "Prodigy" Johnson, was one half of the hip-hop phenomenon Mobb Deep, sold millions of albums, performed throughout the world, and recorded with the elite of hip-hop, R&B, and rock with his signature style of hard-core, reality-based music. Born with the hereditary disease sickle-cell anemia, Prodigy battled pain his entire life and promoted the importance of a healthy diet, spiritual enrichment, and a positive, productive lifestyle. He lived in Queens, New York.

Customer reviews

5 star		86%
4 star		9%
3 star		3%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Bill D.

Great book and inspirational!

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2018

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I enjoyed the book as I can relate growing up in the projects in the south bronx and being a fan of Hip Hop. Additionally and more importantly I went to A&D (art & design) high school back in 1987-1991 and knew P in which we hung out just a few times. We even cut class together with some other friends and went drinking. Some of the things he mentioned in the book about our school is very true. Especially jumping out the window from cafeteria just to cut class. We lost touch after he left school so I recently picked up his book to read how his life played out after leaving school. Always been a fan of his Muzik until this day. I recommend the book to anyone who is a fan of Mobb Deep.

22 people found this helpful

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Brandon

INCREDIBLE!

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017

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I am a huge fan of autobiographies, and an even bigger fan of Hip-Hop and Prodigy/Mobb Deep. This book was so well-written, I wish he was still around to write many more. Reading this autobiography, is like reading or watching a prequel to your favorite movie. It gives you such a deeper understanding of his music/lyrics, and also the man that he was. When you listen to Mobb or Prodigy songs, you truly see that he lived what he spoke. As if I could not have been a bigger fan...this book made me appreciate his music 1,000 times more. One of the best and most enjoyable autobiographies I have ever read - even if I wasn't a fan of his music. Everything about it is just excellent! A must-have book! Losing P was a tremendous loss to Hip-Hop, his community, and myself personally. Rest in Power, P!!!!

13 people found this helpful

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William K. Mangus

Book is amazing but better audibly

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2017

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Book is amazing but better audibly. The way its written has too much street slang to really appreciate this intelligent brother. I highly recommend the audio book because Prodigy's narrating skills are amazing. Not only was he a dope mc but his narration skills excellent. A movie needs to be made on this. Rip p.

14 people found this helpful

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QueenNyla

Insightful

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2011

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My Infamous Life written by Prodigy, is insightful and real. Prodigy takes you into his world and you feel as if you are going down memory lane right with him. The book has Many Many Lows, however as Prodigy explained he was child for 16-17 years and he has now seen the negative impacts of his decisions as a grown man. I hope that this book gets into the hands to many young people who have chosen a wayward life as he explains that his decisions did not lead him in the place he deserved. This book is coming from a person whose life was destined to be great, had opportunites not afforded to many. Yet and still got into the rap game and still chose the wrong paths. This from a person who could've had the world at its feet, still ended up doing foolish things. If you have a child who has chosen the wrong paths in life, this is a book for them. However, this book is real grimey, very street, and hood. Prodigy is the REAL DEAL in regards to the streets. The way he describes things will insight a child who is eager to do the wrong things or want to make a name for him/herself. Prodigy does not hold back on the details of the dirt, hurt, harm, and danger he caused. So please be mindful of the contents if sharing this book with a young impressionable person. In regards to his place in hip hop, there is no doubt that he could've been up there with NAS, Jay-Z, Tupac, or Biggie. He brings us a close insight of his aspect of the media made war of the east coast vs west coast drama that had taken the lives of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. If you want to know from his aspect of the rap game and business, this is a book to pick up and read. I hope that this book touches others but that Prodighy continues to live a life of peace and proseperity and gets back to rhyming just to show these newbies in the game what a real MC with real life situations is all about. Defintely this is a must read!

13 people found this helpful

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ImaPrettyGoodGuy

Brutally Honest Account

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2011

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First of all, I am only halfway through this book. It is an honest account of Prodigy's life from the beginning all the way through his fame after the infamous album hit. You see that Prodigy was raised in many ways priveledged, but also got caught up in the wrong crowd and robbed and beat up harmless people. At one point he describes at around 13 years old, he beat up an innocent kid after school, and broke his hand after hitting him. He even includes a pic of himself in a cast with Havoc laughing about it. His comrade, Killah Black, at one point kills someone for no other reason than taking their headphones.

Although i am a huge fan of Mobb Deep's music, Prodigy in many ways brags about his thug behavior to the point that is is almost disturbing. Yes, he shows some remorse, but he also finds humor in shootouts and stabbings where none should exist. i would have prefered that Prodigy simply state the facts of what he went through in his brutal upbringing and life rather than brag and laugh about the violence that he inflicted and was witness too.

I do, however, think that the book is well-written and very honest, you learn about the story behind many of the tracks in his albums and all his wild antics. Despite some criticisms I do recommend this book, I just hope it does not steer some people in the wrong direction.

12 people found this helpful

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IronFingaz

Very Entertaining and Informative

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2019

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This book tells the story of Prodigy's upbringing and rise to stardom. One half of the rap duo Mobb Deep hailing from Queensbridge, NYC. Prodigy tells a tale of music, criminal activities, profiling police, health, family life, the music biz, and so much more in My Infamous Life. Well written, informative, and highly entertaining if you are a fan of Hip-Hop, or Hood/Gangster movies. Somebody should make a movie of Prodigy's life. RIP

3 people found this helpful

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Alex sk

Pulls You Right In

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2022

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Beautiful book. Lots of details and personal encounters from Prodigy. Makes you feel like your a part of that environment. One of the best books I've read this year. Don't hesitate to purchase and read this work of art. Rest In Peace Prodigy .

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Aps2008

Prodigy from Mobb Deep autobiography

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2019

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This is a really good book for anyone who is a fan of Prodigy, the rapper from Mobb Deep who passed away in 2017. It is his autobiography and talks about his early life, suffering from sickle cell anaemia etc.

2 people found this helpful

Page Turner

It's a Rap

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

Very good read surprised by the amount of violence it's not something one readily associates with this Rapper's character nevertheless interesting funny and an first hand insight into the rap game

David H

Very detailed and a great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2017

Verified Purchase

I knew very little about mobb deep and the prodigy. A very detailed and frank book. And a bargain to boot. Rip dude. To think after you have been through all of this, you choke on an egg

5 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Excellent read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2019

Verified Purchase

Excellent read and great value for money.

One person found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Gripping, educational, historical

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is a must for rap fans not just fans of mine deep due to their longevity in the industry.

One person found this helpful

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Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

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