The rapper Prodigy, who made up one half of the group Mobb Deep, has died aged 42.

The hip hop star, whose real name is Albert Johnson, was on tour in Las Vegas performing with the "Art of Rap" tour alongside Ghostface Killah, Onyx, KRS-One, and Ice-T, amongst others. Mobb Deep performed Saturday.

The artist suffered from health issues throughout his life, however it wasn't immediately clear what the cause of death was. He had long suffered from sickle cell anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells contort into a sickle shape and die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells. The condition can lead to a painful blockage of blood flow.

"It is with extreme sadness and disbelief that we confirm the death of our dear friend Albert Johnson, better known to millions of fans as Prodigy of legendary NY rap duo Mobb Deep", his publicist said in a statement. "Prodigy was hospitalized a few days ago in Vegas after a Mobb Deep performance for complications caused by a sickle cell anaemia crisis. As most of his fans know, Prodigy battled the disease since birth. The exact causes of death have yet to be determined. We would like to thank everyone for respecting the family’s privacy at this time.”

Prodigy first broke out onto the music scene with his partner, Havoc, forming Mobb Deep in their hometown New York City in the 1990s. The duo participated in high profile feuds during their early years, and once had "beef" during the media-fueled East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry with Tupac and Biggie Smalls.

They released their first duo in 1992 with the name Poetical Prophets, and released their first Mobb Deep album a year later with the album Juvenile Hall. The duo reached commercial success together in 1995 with the release of the critically acclaimed album The Infamous, which sold over 500,000 copies within the first two months after release. They released the album Hell on Earth a year and a half later, which also received widespread critical acclaim.

They collaborated frequently with other artists, including with Nas, who helped propel their visibility early in their career. Prodigy was generally regarded has the lyrical lead in the duo, while Havoc was better known as pulling weight producing the beats.

Prodigy launched a solo career in 2000, releasing mix-tapes in collaboration with a range of producers including Un Pacino, Big Twins, and the Alchemist. He released his last album, Hegelian Dialectic, in January.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/prodigy-dead-mobb-deep-rapper-dies-death-age-life-health-latest-updates-a7799676.html

Wow...


Was in one of their shows in '97...with Method man and Redman
Feels just like yesterday.


And it was only yesterday I advised sicklers on how to live.
https://www.nairaland.com/3869711/world-sickle-cell-day

i feel sad because am a fan..i have his songs on my phone and i loved him from when he was in GUNIT..RIP


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Oux1lN__4



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9cAz1M9398



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOPYiCNhLUQ



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g1orpIY2wo



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch8dqfVM55U

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAPEjqGbxdE&list=PLr_MwQFchStWeebWg1h42AWBBu3j1xQ1K




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoYZf-lBF_U&list=PLr_MwQFchStWeebWg1h42AWBBu3j1xQ1K

The Underground rapper has gone under for real.

I pray he makes heaven. Cos if he doesn't......

rip man

NwaAmaikpe:


Wow...


Was in one of their shows in '97...with Method man and Redman
Feels just like yesterday.


And it was only yesterday I advised sicklers on how to live.
https://www.nairaland.com/3869711/world-sickle-cell-day

oga, wat r u sayin?

rest in peace

He was a LEGEND.

Rest in peace, Prodigy.