My Infamous Life

The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy

By: Albert "Prodigy" Johnson, Laura Checkoway

Narrated by: Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

From one of the greatest rappers of all time, the memoir of a life cut short, a revealing look at the dark side of hip hop’s Golden Era....

In this often violent but always introspective memoir, Mobb Deep’s Prodigy tells his much anticipated story of struggle, survival, and hope down the mean streets of New York City. For the first time, he gives an intimate look at his family background, his battles with drugs, his life of crime, his relentless suffering with sickle-cell anemia, and much more. Recently released after serving three and a half years in state prison due to what many consider an unlawful arrest by a rumored secret NYPD hip hop task force, Prodigy is ready to talk about his life as one of rap’s greatest legends.

My Infamous Life is an unblinking account of Prodigy’s wild times with Mobb Deep, who, alongside rappers like Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and Wu-Tang Clan, changed the musical landscape with their vivid portrayals of early ’90s street life. It is a firsthand chronicle of legendary rap feuds like the East Coast-West Coast rivalry; Prodigy’s beefs with Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ja Rule, and Capone-N-Noreaga; and run-ins with prodigal hit makers and managers like Puff Daddy, Russell Simmons, Chris Lighty, Irv Gotti, and Lyor Cohen.

Taking the listener behind the smoke-and-mirrors glamour of the hip hop world, so often seen as the only way out for those with few options, Prodigy lays down the truth about the intoxicating power of money, the meaning of true friendship and loyalty, and the ultimately redemptive power of self. This is the heartbreaking journey of a child born in privilege, his youth spent among music royalty like Diana Ross and Dizzy Gillespie, educated in private schools, until a family tragedy changed everything. Raised in the mayhem of the Queensbridge projects, Prodigy rose to the dizzying heights of fame and eventually fell into the darkness of a prison cell.

A truly candid memoir, part fearless confessional and part ode to the concrete jungles of New York City, from the front line of the last great moment in hip hop history.

©2005 Urban Audiobooks (P)2019 Albert "Prodigy" Johnson

Amazing!! Amazing!! Amazing!!

Everything about this autobiography was absolutely amazing! From the performance to the story to the genuine realness simply awesome!! Being a 70s baby and a true hip-hop and more deep sand Facebook put me back in time and I love every moment of it. Hearing about Dr. Francis who was also My pediatrician when we lived in Jamaica Queens to hearing about the Sickle cell pain that my mother shares with Prodigy. The grittiness, the honesty and the true calling on Prodigy’s life is all summed up perfectly. MUST READ!!!

Rip prodigy

Great book, big part of the rap history , great to hear it read by prodigy himself

Infamously Amazing!

Amazing read, truly worth reading especially if you grew up to the music of Mobb Deep. Always loved Prodigy great talent. Man this book had me laughing crying and even commenting almost like if he was listening or even in a conversation with me. His legacy will live on. I know him an pac up there in the heavens caulking it up.

Timeless accounts of the best Hip Hop group ever!

If you're a Mobb Deep fan please go ahead and do yourself a favor! TIMELESS

Awesome book.

Great book and even better to hear him narrate it.
easy to listen to and the insight into his thinking about the business and his decisions were great. RIP big homie... you are missed