Mobb Deep

A disappointing performance. I was really looking forward to seeing Mobb Deep live in Riga, hoping to relive the raw energy and iconic sounds of ’90s NYC hip-hop. Unfortunately, the show fell far short of expectations. While the setlist featured all the classics, including a new track, the overall performance lacked the intensity and energy that made Mobb Deep legendary.

Havoc, typically known for his production, seemed disengaged throughout the show. His movements were sluggish, and he barely interacted with the crowd. Half the time, he and Noyd simply stood there, letting the tracks play without providing much of a live experience. At times, they shouted their verses, but there was no real rhythm between them — one rapped faster, the other slower, which made it hard to follow and understand.

The crowd did their best to keep the energy alive, cheering and hyping them up, but it felt like Noyd was the only one who appreciated it, occasionally acknowledging the audience’s enthusiasm. Havoc, on the other hand, barely said anything beyond a quick thank you at the end before leaving the stage. The show felt more like a paycheck for them than a true performance.

DJ L.E.S. did his part with decent work on the decks, but even his use of outdated gunshots and sirens in between tracks made the whole experience feel unprofessional and out of touch with current hip-hop performances.

Overall, it was a performance that left me questioning whether seeing older hip-hop legends in smaller cities like Riga is worth it. The raw energy that made Mobb Deep so iconic just wasn’t there, and it was clear that the soul of the group left with Prodigy. I can only hope that future concerts from hip-hop legends bring more of the passion and energy that made their music timeless

If you’ve ever fallen into the trap of thinking that modern hip hop, primarily concerned with nauseating levels of materialism, is representative of the genre as a whole, you perhaps haven’t heard one of the finest tracks of the nineties, Mobb Deep’s ‘Shook Ones (Part II)’. Over one of the most iconic beats ever made, - foreboding, sinister and unremittingly menacing - Prodigy and Havoc spin a genuinely bleak tale of life in Queensbridge as a youth, where they’re engaged in gang warfare. When Nas did the same, in the same year, on Illmatic, he approached the subject in a manner that laced it with his own ambitions; Mobb Deep, though, offer no such respite across their classic debut LP, The Infamous. After a rocky past few years, which saw Prodigy jailed for gun possession and then feuding with Havoc upon his release, the pair have reconciled and toured Europe this summer, although the UK was conspicuous by its absence from the touring schedule. Twenty years on from their breakthrough, they still display an uncanny understanding of each other’s flow, and their onstage interplay is superb, more than making up for the lack of a live band. With their first studio record in eight years, The Infamous Mobb Deep, dropping earlier this year, it can’t be long until they do make a long-overdue return to British shores - don’t sleep on it when it happens.

Havoc and Prodigy best known as the duo Mobb Deep have been recording music as a collective since the early 90s and have sold over three millions records globally making them one of the most successful rap outfits of all time.

Their music now holds cult like status and when they do tour in Europe the shows sell out instantly of fans who have followed the band since their beginnings to those who have recently discovered their music and influence. Appearing onstage with an entourage including hype men, a DJ and a couple of bystanders the party is well and truly on. The bass of 'Survival of the Fittest' rumbles out and the crowd instantly begin to jump as one under the command of Havoc.

The way the duo rap as one is really impressive and they never miss a note, you wonder how they don't need to stop for breath. All the classics are in tow tonight including 'G.O.D. Pt. III' 'Quiet Storm' and 'Hey Luv (Anything)'. It is however the underground cult smash 'Shook Ones Pt. II' which many still claim is the greatest piece of hip hop to have been created in the 90's that keeps the crowds jumping way after the duo have left stage.

I'd been looking forward to this gig for a LONG TIME, getting to see my favourite group once again as they return to London.

As expected, they got the crowd buzzing and it was great to see them in action again, however... The one downside, which I've found with a few artists of late, is that the set doesn't seem to go on long enough! Considering how much of a back-catalogue Mobb Deep have and how long they've been around for (20yrs+), to play for only just over an hour was the only disappointment for me.

Hopefully, if they return to this side of the pond once again in the future, they'll be on stage for longer and show off some of the not so well known material that is still awesome!

@OfficialDJVibes

The show was really goood and look forward for the next one. Mobb deep are very entertaining on stage and can hold a stage well. well done Mobb deep. The Music from the speakers were also on a high level which made the sound through the hall excell good to great. High level music and very entertaining. its well worth seeing mobb deep perform. If there is a gig in tiwn with mobb deep its well worth your time, effort and money. Ali bombayah

I saw them last year in Tampa but they came full force this performance! They put 100% into this event had the crowd hyped did all the old joints and some new stuff and sounded perfect and flawless in my opinion. Keep it up.

Fire!!!!!! More than just the infamous tracks, good selection of their hits! More crowd interaction would have been good but the crowd were a knowledgeable lot and dudnt seem to mind!
Shook ones killed it!

DOPE!!!! Super show, if the opening acts didn't put you to sleep. Thankfully, weed is legal, and it made the wait bearable. Excellent stage show, which I've found is rare in a hip hop show. THE INFAMOUS!!!