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

Albert "Prodigy" Johnson · Laura Checkoway

Mar 2019 · Urban AudioBooks · Narrated by Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

About this audiobook

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

This is a Testament to Prodigy growing to being more than a Rapper! I remember growing up in Baldwin, next to Hempstead hearing some of the stories he writes about. It was amazing to see how he grew up being smarter and healthier thru self-motivation. My cousin has sickle-cell and I can understand his pain and how much he had to pay attention to his body. RIP Prodigy... You repped real well for your Families. God Bless Them and your Legacy! Thanks, Omar - New York DJ 360.

once I started, I couldnt stop until it was complete. I'm 32 years old so I remember alot what he discussed and it was amazing getting an inside viewpoint and learning some things I didnt know.

Unbelievable. Without access to the internet in the 90's, this book explains so much of the behind the scenes life of hip-hop. Prodigy will forever be on of the GOATs. RIP, P.