Havoc (musician)
Encyclopedia
Kejuan Muchita better known as Havoc, is an MC, record producer
and one half of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep
with Prodigy
. He is of Igbo descent.
such as Method Man
, Eminem
, Nas
, Foxy Brown, Onyx
, O.G.C., The Notorious B.I.G.
, Jadakiss
, Styles P
, Game, Diddy
, LL Cool J
, La The Darkman
, Big Noyd
, Termanology
, Jimmy Mserembo, Capone-N-Noreaga
, and his own partner Prodigy
on his solo work. In the spring of 2005, Mobb Deep was signed to fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent
's record label G-Unit Records
. However, in late 2006 there was speculation that the producer was at odds with label figurehead 50 Cent due to creative differences musically, but was later proven false by both of their representatives. It was however proven true in late 2009 when it was reported that 50 Cent dropped the duo from the label.
Havoc is renowned among serious hip-hop fans as one of the prominent figures during the mid-1990s for his hard-hitting and stripped-down beats complementary to the RZA
's work on Wu-Tang Clan
projects. Following The Infamous
, he tweaked his skills and transitioned to a more atmospheric production style that incorporated samples from classical music, most notably visible on the 1996 album Hell on Earth. As an MC, he is known for his hardcore lyricism, deep voice, and consistent flow. He also contributed background vocals and a verse on Black Moon
's debut album Enta da Stage
in 1993.
In July 2009, Havoc was featured alongside Raekwon in J Dilla
's music video for "24K Rap" off of the Jay Stay Paid
album, the video was directed by Derek Pike
.
In 2010, Havoc produced a beat for Eminem
which resulted in a song called "Untitled" which is a hidden track on Eminem's album Recovery and contributed to the iTunes
bonus track to Raekwon's album Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
& Bad Meets Evil
' Hell: The Sequel
EP. Revealed that Mobb Deep
will be performing The Infamous album for Rock The Bells 2011 and plans on recording a new Mobb album with Nas
.
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and one half of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
with Prodigy
Prodigy (rapper)
Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep....
. He is of Igbo descent.
Biography
Havoc produces most of the tracks on every Mobb Deep album, and has produced songs for MCsMaster of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
such as Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
, Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Foxy Brown, Onyx
Onyx (band)
Onyx is a hardcore hip hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. The group consists of Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr and Sonsee . The late Big DS was also a member, but left after the group's debut album.-Early career:...
, O.G.C., The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
, Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
, Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
, Game, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, La The Darkman
La the Darkman
As a teenager in New York City, the Crown Heights, Brooklyn-bred emcee born Lason Jackson negotiated his first deal just as he was finishing high school...
, Big Noyd
Big Noyd
TaJuan Perry, better known as Big Noyd, is an American emcee from the Queensbridge projects in the New York City borough of Queens. He is closely affiliated with Mobb Deep, and he is featured on all of their albums...
, Termanology
Termanology
Daniel Carrillo , better known as Termanology is a rapper from Lawrence, Massachusetts. He first came to wide attention with the 2006 single "Watch How It Go Down". A solo album, Politics As Usual, was released in 2008...
, Jimmy Mserembo, Capone-N-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga was an American hip hop duo that consisted of Capone and Noreaga.-History:In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column...
, and his own partner Prodigy
Prodigy (rapper)
Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep....
on his solo work. In the spring of 2005, Mobb Deep was signed to fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's record label G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
. However, in late 2006 there was speculation that the producer was at odds with label figurehead 50 Cent due to creative differences musically, but was later proven false by both of their representatives. It was however proven true in late 2009 when it was reported that 50 Cent dropped the duo from the label.
Havoc is renowned among serious hip-hop fans as one of the prominent figures during the mid-1990s for his hard-hitting and stripped-down beats complementary to the RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
's work on Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
projects. Following The Infamous
The Infamous
Upon its release, The Infamous earned critical acclaim and was widely considered to be a cornerstone album of New York hardcore rap. Rolling Stone magazine originally rated the album 3½ out of 5 stars, and called it "a darkly nihilistic masterpiece". It, however, gave it a 5 out of 5 star rating in...
, he tweaked his skills and transitioned to a more atmospheric production style that incorporated samples from classical music, most notably visible on the 1996 album Hell on Earth. As an MC, he is known for his hardcore lyricism, deep voice, and consistent flow. He also contributed background vocals and a verse on Black Moon
Black Moon (band)
Black Moon is an American hip hop group, consisting of members Buckshot, 5 ft and DJ Evil Dee . The group were most notable for their debut album Enta da Stage, and their affiliation with the Boot Camp Clik.-Biography:...
's debut album Enta da Stage
Enta Da Stage
Enta da Stage is the debut album of American East Coast hip hop group Black Moon, released on October 19, 1993 through Nervous Records. The album was produced by DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz...
in 1993.
In July 2009, Havoc was featured alongside Raekwon in J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
's music video for "24K Rap" off of the Jay Stay Paid
Jay Stay Paid
Jay Stay Paid is an album from the late hip hop musician J Dilla, mixed like a radio show by Pete Rock. It is a posthumous album, but is his fourth album overall. It was released June 2, 2009 on Nature Sounds...
album, the video was directed by Derek Pike
Derek Pike
Derek Pike is a 23 year old American music video director and photographer. He is of half British and half Japanese-American descent. In May 2010 Derek graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts where he majored in Film and Television...
.
In 2010, Havoc produced a beat for Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
which resulted in a song called "Untitled" which is a hidden track on Eminem's album Recovery and contributed to the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
bonus track to Raekwon's album Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Raekwon, released March 7, 2011, on Ice H20 and EMI Records...
& Bad Meets Evil
Bad Meets Evil
Bad Meets Evil is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan that consists of rappers Royce da 5'9" and Eminem . They are best known for collaborating on a self-titled song that appeared on Eminem's major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP in 1999, their early association with Dr...
' Hell: The Sequel
Hell: The Sequel
Hell: The Sequel is the debut extended play by Bad Meets Evil, an American hip hop duo composed of Royce da 5'9" and Eminem. It was released on June 13, 2011 in some countries by Shady Records and Interscope Records and on June 14, 2011 in the United States. The EP focuses on hardcore hip hop and...
EP. Revealed that Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
will be performing The Infamous album for Rock The Bells 2011 and plans on recording a new Mobb album with Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
.
with Mobb Deep
- Juvenile HellJuvenile Hell-Samples used:*"Hit It from the Back" contains a sample from "You Can Make it if You Try" by Sly & The Family Stone.*"Flavor for the Non-Believes" contains a sample from "Funky Drummer" by James Brown....
(1993) - The InfamousThe InfamousUpon its release, The Infamous earned critical acclaim and was widely considered to be a cornerstone album of New York hardcore rap. Rolling Stone magazine originally rated the album 3½ out of 5 stars, and called it "a darkly nihilistic masterpiece". It, however, gave it a 5 out of 5 star rating in...
(1995) - Hell on Earth (1996)
- Murda MuzikMurda MuzikMurda Muzik is Mobb Deep's fourth album, which was released in 1999. It features one of the group's best-known and most acclaimed songs, "Quiet Storm." It is also the duo's most commercially successful album to date, for shipping over 1 million copies and was certified Platinum by the RIAA,...
(1999) - InfamyInfamy (album)Infamy is hip-hop duo Mobb Deep's fifth album. Infamy was released after Jay-Z dissed Prodigy and Nas on his song "Takeover," from Jay-Z's 2001 album, The Blueprint, which caused Prodigy to strike back on the Track "Crawlin'," in which he calls Jay a "female-ass nigga homo emcee." "H to the you...
(2001) - Amerikaz NightmareAmerikaz NightmareAmerikaz Nightmare is a 2004 album by hip-hop duo Mobb Deep. It is the duo’s sixth studio album and its only on Jive Records, through a deal with the group’s own imprint. It features the singles "Got It Twisted" and "Real Gangstaz"...
(2004) - Blood MoneyBlood Money (Mobb Deep album)Blood Money is the seventh studio album by hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, released on May 2, 2006. It is the group's first and only album on G-Unit/Interscope Records. It features guest appearances by mainly G-Unit artists 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Nyce, as well as Mary J. Blige and...
(2006)
External links
- September 2007 Interview
- "Havoc Sits Down with Ei8ht" Interview with Hip Hop Lives Online - HHLO.net