If you haven't read or listened to My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy, you should really take the time to do so (will take 13-plus hours if you're going for the audiobook). The late Queensbridge rapper sums up his time on earth early on in the book: "extreme pain to extreme pleasure has been the story of my entire life." With that said, H.N.I.C., released in 2000, is a 22-track summary of the ups and downs of the infamous path P walked. The dunn-language slinging, "rock you in your face, stab your brain with your nose bone" Mobb Deep member is present, but so is the more vulnerable Prodigy, who's suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia all his life. You also get the more pensive side of the authentic wordsmith, and it's such diversity and depth that makes H.N.I.C. an essential companion to any or all of the Mobb Deep classics. Oh, can't forget the sinister production that sets the perfect mood for Prodigy's no-bs bars, s/o to Alchemist, Havoc, Rockwilder and 'em. Highlights include: "Keep It Thoro," "Y.B.E," "Three," "What U Rep," "Genesis," and "Rock Dat Shit."

• limited to 1,500 copies
• music label: Get On Down 2000 / 2017
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reviewed by nakaveli 12/2017