Mixtape Album: Prodigy – Return Of The Mac

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Following a career changing jump to the G-Unit camp, whether that’s for better or worse remains to be seen, and the less than thrilling reactions to Blood Money, Prodigy takes a step back from the limelight and attempts to get back to his more gritty origins. Releasing this mixtape album separately from Fiddy and co is an interesting move. He has opted to release it through independent powerhouse Koch. Luckily, longtime Mobb Deep collaborator the Alchemist takes on the task of putting together all of the production. This may not be a complete return to form, but it is at least a welcome change, even if just for a brief moment.

You will see some of the original fire returning from the man once looked at as one of the most prolific street narrators. One of the main examples is This Is America, as he is joined by the aforementioned Alchemist and up and comer Nyce, for a grim look at the good ol’ US of A. On Mac 10 Handle, which reworks the beat from Ice-T’s classic High Rollers, Prodigy spits menacing, if at times lyrically deficient bars, with a new found intensity, while interpolating lyrics from Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me by the Geto Boys on the chorus. Likewise, on the soulful Stuck To You, which shows a new found vigor in Prodigy. It is more radio friendly, with its overused sped-up chipmunk loop, but it would be hard to get a huge amount of mainstream play for a track about a love for firearms. His out of date reference to Trapper John from M*A*S*H* definitely doesn’t help his cause.

While it is positive to hear a dose of that old Mobb Deep formula, it’s not a consistent listen all the way through as there are some rough patches. Less than stellar cuts such as You Got It hurt it, but it’s not necessarily the quality of the tracks that holds it back. The main hindrance is the fact that Prodigy sounds like he is resting on his laurels a little too much and just doesn’t seem to have the same passion, which has also hurt the last few Mobb albums.

While it’s not on the artistic and creative level of The Infamous or Prodigy’s overlooked first solo album H.N.I.C., it’s still a hearty serve of New York Hip Hop and a step in a better direction, which hopefully can be carried over to the next Mobb Deep album.

Available Through Koch Records