The unsigned flavor of the month came unquestionably from the dynamic duo of MCs, Prodigy and Havoc, better known as the Poetical Prophets. Straight outta Queens, New York, these two little 5'3 sixteen year olds are fast making a big name for themselves in talent shows and radio stations in the New York area. Yes they're young, and they look even younger, but understand that this is no ABC. Poetical Prophets rhyme from the hardcore perspective of two little street soldiers who like to bug out, puff blunts, and sip forties. Peep the lyrical flavor: "Baby Grand Puba / Little Rick the Ruler / And in my pocket is a crazy fat bag of Buddha." The beats, produced by an un-named associate from Coney Island, are hooked up kinda lovely too." - Unsigned Hype, The Source (7/91). In an update to their Unsigned Hype column, Matty C wrote: "For over two years, Unsigned Hype has given us a taste of the pure thing; raw and uncut hip-hop before kids even have a record deal. Granted, they might not all turn into rap superstars, but so far, four Unsigned Hype winners have gone on to sign major label deals after appearing in The Source. A couple have taken the independent label route, and three more are currently negotiating with majors." At the time of that write-up, Mobb Deep had their single, "Peer Pressure" out featuring production by DJ Premier and their Juvenile Hell LP was set to drop the following year. Continue below for the Mobb Deep demo...
In March 2011, Chairman Mao wrote a piece on Complex, discussing the best demo tapes, and Mobb Deep was #6, saying: "In an era rife with kiddie rappers and R&B singers, Havoc and Prodigy (then doing business as the Poetical Prophets) showed the world that juveniles could roll just as hardcore as any of their degenerate grown-up counterparts. Anchored by a snaking electric piano loop, the OG run-through of “Flavor For the Non-Believers” actually trumps the subsequent released version for grimy appeal. After claiming “Unsigned Hype” honors in July of ’91, the demo attracted the attention of 4th & Broadway A&R (and world famous music journalist) Bonz Malone, paving the way for a name change, and Mobb Deep’s debut LP, Juvenile Hell." The audio link below was taken down.
