(NEWARK, NJ) -- As the hip-hop community mourns the loss of rapper Prodigy, a member of the New York duo Mobb Deep, The ART of RAP concert scheduled at NJPAC in Newark, NJ on Friday, June 30th at 8:00pm will now pay homage to Mobb Deep’s Prodigy due to his untimely death. Hip-hop’s biggest veterans DMX, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Mobb Deep will take to the stage for a special tribute.
Prodigy (42) passed away on Tuesday, June 20th, Prodigy's publicist confirmed to the Associated Press that Prodigy was hospitalized a week ago in Las Vegas "for complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis."
Prodigy along with fellow rapper Havoc in Mobb Deep found success in the 90’s and became a landmark group representing East Coast rap. Prodigy and Havoc grew up together in Queensbridge Houses, the famous Queens housing development also associated with Nas, the group portraying their struggles on their seminal 90s albums The Infamous and Hell on Earth.
The ART of RAP at NJPAC follows in the footsteps of Ice-T’s critically acclaimed documentary film “The Art Of Rap.” Here's a look at the performers:
DMX –is a pioneer of the 90’s rap scene and one of the most popular artists of that era.DMX is an established songwriter, producer, and actor. In 1999, DMX released his best-selling album ...And Then There Was X, which included the hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)". He has been featured in films such as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave and Last Hour. In 2006, he starred in the reality television series DMX: Soul of a Man, which was primarily aired on the BET cable television network. In 2003, DMX published a book of his memoirs entitled, E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.
Raekwon is a member of the multi-platinum Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded numerous solo albums, as well as continuing to work with Wu-Tang and providing an extensive number of guest contributions to other hip hop artists' works. He is the founder of his own label ICEH20 Records. Raekwon has been cited as a pioneer of Mafioso rap. In 2007, the editors of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). The Miami New Times described Raekwon's music as being "street epics" that are "straightforward yet linguistically rich universes not unlike a gangsta Iliad."
Ghostface Killah, is a prominent member of the multi-platinum hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo-career with Ironman in 1996, which was well received by music critics. He has continued his success over the following years with critically acclaimed albums such as Supreme Clientele (2000) and Fishscale (2006). His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film Mystery of Chessboxing. He is the founder of his own label Starks Enterprises. Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed for his loud, fast-paced flow and his emotional stream-of-consciousness narratives containing cryptic slang and non-sequiturs. In 2006, MTV included him on their honorable mention list of The Greatest MCs of All Time.
Mobb Deep is a hip-hop duo hailing from Queensbridge Houses in New York City. Members Havoc and Prodigy are "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast Hip-Hop groups." They are known for their dark, hardcore delivery as exemplified in "Shook Ones (Part II)." Mobb Deep has become one of the most successful rap duos in hip hop, having sold over three million records. Two of their albums have been critical successes; The Infamous (1995) and Hell on Earth (1996).
New Jersey Performing Arts Center is located at One Center Street in Newark, New Jersey.
