First things first, rest in peace to the late, great Prodigy from Mobb Deep. Havoc and Prodigy formed Mobb Deep, and Prodigy passed away back on June 20, 2017. The duo put out their first album back in April of 1993. They released nine studio albums, five compilation albums, five mixtapes, and two extended play (EP). Juvenile Hell was the name of their first album, and they were 18 years old at the time of its release. The album failed to chart, and they were dropped from their label. Two years later, Mobb Deep would drop their second album called The Infamous. The Infamous was a huge success, going platinum in the process. The album is considered a classic and stamped Mobb Deep as one of the top acts in New York. A year and a half later, Mobb Deep returned with their third album called Hell on Earth.

Hell on Earth was recorded during the East Coast-West Coast beef, and it came equipped with diss records. Mobb Deep dissed 2Pac, who passed away a few months prior to the release. The album is viewed as another classic, and it went gold in the process. Mobb Deep took some time off before releasing their fourth album. Murda Muzik became their fourth album, and it dropped almost three years later.

Loud Records switched distributors from RCA to Columbia. The album was shelved until the negotiations were finished. During this time, the album was heavily bootlegged. Mobb Deep had to record new songs to make sure fans would still buy the album. Despite the album being bootlegged, Mobb Deep sold over a million copies. During this time, Mobb Deep was beefing with Jay-Z, who dropped his Takeover diss on his Blueprint album.

The songs “The Learning (Burn)” and “Crawlin” serve as diss tracks towards Jay-Z. The name of their fifth album was called Infamy, and it earned them another gold plaque. A little less than three years later, Mobb Deep hit us with their sixth album, called Amerikaz Nightmare. Amerikaz Nightmare was well-received but became their first album that didn’t at least go gold. After their Amerikaz Nightmare album, Mobb Deep became free agents and signed with G-Unit and Interscope Records.

In June 2005, Mobb Deep announced they had signed with G-Unit Records. The duo was featured on the special edition of 50 Cent’s The Massacre on the track Outta Control (Remix). On May 2, 2006, Mobb Deep released their seventh album called Blood Money. Mobb Deep’s Blood Money turns 20 years old today. Blood Money failed to reach gold status despite the push being on G-Unit Records.

In his 2012 autobiography titled My Infamous Life, Prodigy claims the album went gold. Have a Party was their first single, and it was featured on the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ Movie Soundtrack. Released in 2006, the single reached 49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and 23 on the Hot Rap Tracks. They would release three more singles from their Blood Money album. During this time, G-Unit was at the end of their run, and Mobb Deep’s sales reflected that. The album wasn’t as great as their others, but still a good one. Check out my top 5 tracks from the album below. After that, check out the track listing and stream link to the Blood Money album.

Top 5 Tracks: Pearly Gates, Outta Control (Remix), It’s Alright, In Love with the Moula, and Put Em in their Place

Blood Money Track Listing

1. Smoke It
2. Put Em in Their Place
3. Stole Something ft. Lloyd Banks
4. Creep ft. 50 Cent
5. Speaking So Freely
6. Backstage Pass
7. Give It to Me ft. Young Buck
8. Click Click ft. Tony Yayo
9. Pearly Gates ft. 50 Cent
10. Capital P, Capital H
11. Daydreamin’
12. The Infamous ft. 50 Cent
13. In Love with the Moula
14. It’s Alright ft. 50 Cent & Mary J. Blige
15. Have a Party ft. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg
16. Outta Control (Remix) ft. 50 Cent