Way Back: Give Up the Goods (1995)
“'Cause I'm a what? Composer of hardcore, a lyrical destructor
Don't make me buck ya, 'cause I'm a wild muthaf*cker”
- Big Noyd on “Give Up the Goods (Just Step)”
25 years ago, when Mobb Deep released their second LP, The Infamous, the general public wasn’t checking for the young Queens duo. Their first album, Juvenile Hell, received poor reviews and a second dud would bring a swift end to two short careers. They were on the verge of being lost amongst all of the greatness that permeated New York Rap in the 90’s.
Q-Tip is often credited for discovering an unsigned Mobb Deep when they hounded him outside of a label’s building one day. He liked their demo and introduced them to the people that would eventually lead to their debut album. It wasn’t a very popular release, but the second album, The Infamous, would be their first chance to work with the Tribe Called Quest leader that helped them to get their first shot. We wouldn’t get to hear the full impact of his touch until the album’s fourth single, “Give Up the Goods”.
He encouraged the duo to go further into their dark sound for their second album. He’s listed on several tracks here under his production alias, The Abstract. The Esther Phillips sample he used for “Give Up The Goods” was a good compliment to the simple bassline and the signature high-pitched snare. The sample that Tip used was the same that LL Cool J had in his “Pink Cookies” track, but the tone was much softer. Prodigy wanted to make sure that Mobb Deep made somehing more hardcore.
It's type hard tryna survive in New York state
But can't stop till I'm eating off a platinum plate
Po-po comes around and tries to relocate me
Lock me up forever but they can't deflate me
'Cause having cash is highly addictive
Especially when you're used to have no money to live with
I thought, step back, look at my life as a whole
Ain't no love, it seems the devil done stole my soul
Prodigy was always ready to take listeners to the gutter, but moments like these show a more thoughtful and reflective side. He describes an attachment to the gangster lifestyle, more than an obsession, he likens it to an addiction.
(left to right) Prodigy, Havoc, and Big Noyd in their native Queensbridge, NY. Noyd would earn his first recording contract for his work on the Mobb Deep single, “Give Up the Goods”.
What jumped out on this track is the feature on the second verse. Also coming from Queensbridge, Big Noyd never envisioned a career as a rapper, but as he told it, this specific verse alone earned him a record deal. After seeing how the crowd responded to a live performance of this track, he claims “they signed me and I got a record deal for $300,000 just for my verse”. Though his career wasn’t illustrious, it’s hard not to argue that he didn’t deserve a look after rhyming like this:
Coming straight outta QB, pushing an Infiniti
You ask can I rip it constantly? Mentally?
Definitely, to the death of me, come and test me
Trust me, nigga couldn't touch me if he snuffed me
So bust me, you're gonna have to, 'cause I'ma blast you
My lyrical like a miracle, ill spiritual
I'm born with it, I'm getting on with it
And I'ma have it til I'm f*cking dead and gone with it
For me, it’s the most memorable song on what is likely their best album. Oddly, it’s not produced by Havoc and the illest verse came via a feature. Still it’s the epitome of that gritty 90’s sound and deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
