The iconic, world-renowned American rap group, Mobb Deep, will share the stage with some of the most talented South African hip hop artists at the seventeenth annual Back To The City festival on the seventh of October, in celebration of fifty years of hip hop in general, and fourty years of South African hip hop in particular. Osmic Menoe, the founder of the festival, caused a great deal of excitement when he announced the news of the mooted visit on his on social media pages. While a great deal of excitement is easily detectable among veteran hip hop fans, Mobb Deep classic hardcore hip hop flavour readily applies to even a younger generation hip hop heads. This is how timeless their music is! Mobb Deep, which was formed in 1991 by rap duo Prodigy and Havoc in Queens, New York City, released their debut album, Juvenile Hell in 1993. However, the follow-up project, The Infamous, was so critically acclaimed that it firmly established them on the rap game. In some quarters, The Infamous is considered by many art critics as one of the greatest rap album of all time. The track, Shook One Part 2, was the first single of the album, and it remains the group's most popular song to date. Mobb Deep is one of the most authentic rap groups in hip hop history, and has been counted among the Godfathers of the hardcore subgenre; they are also one of the very few hardcore hip hop acts who've attained tremendous commercial success in and outside the United States. Few will counter the argument that Mobb Deep repped the hardcore part of East Coast rap scene far better than their peers. However, it is their unique style and never-sell-out attitude which accounts for Mobb Deep's music longevity and relevance. Inauspiciously, however, the death of founding member, the inimitable Prodigy, in 2017 robbed the industry and the culture of a guru and a moving spirit. Affected by the chronic sickle cell aenemia since birth, the culture and it's heads should be thankful that Prodigy, who named his son Shaka after the great Zulu ruler, King Shaka ka Senzangakhona, lasted for as long as he did. Having said that, not only does his spirit continue to move in hip hop circles through his art; his voice continues to have representation through the voices of millions of those his endeared himself to. Nevertheless, history will decidedly be made this coming Saturday at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, where the festival will be held. On a lighter note, I urge every person who is attending the event to come dressed in protective gear, preferably draped in shoulder-pads apparel like Quarter Backs, because Mobb Deep is going to cause major lyrical Havoc in the building!
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