In a recent interview on Drink Champs, Havoc of the legendary hip-hop duo Mobb Deep finally shed light on why 2Pac dissed them in his iconic track “Hit ‘Em Up.” The discussion has reignited interest in the East Coast-West Coast rivalry that defined a significant era in hip-hop.
Havoc reflected on the tension between the two artists, attributing it to a combination of misunderstandings. He pointed out that a line from Mobb Deep’s track “Survival of the Fittest,” where they rap, “Thug life, we still livin’ it,” may have been misinterpreted by 2Pac. At the time, 2Pac had expressed a desire to move away from the “thug” lifestyle in a Vibe magazine article, which Havoc believes led Pac to feel that Mobb Deep was dismissing his growth and stance.
The situation escalated with the release of “L.A., L.A.,” a response track by Capone-N-Noreaga that featured Mobb Deep. Released during the peak of the rivalry, the song fueled the fire, prompting 2Pac to target Mobb Deep in “Hit ‘Em Up.” Known for its brutal honesty, Pac’s diss included a shocking jab at Prodigy’s sickle cell diagnosis, cementing its place in hip-hop history.
In addition to reminiscing about the past, Havoc also discussed the future of Mobb Deep. He revealed that the long-awaited new album, confirmed by The Alchemist, is finished and will be released as part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It series. This will mark the first new music from Mobb Deep since Prodigy’s passing in 2017, and fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival.
Havoc will also honor Mobb Deep’s legacy by going on tour with Raekwon to celebrate the 30th anniversaries of their classic albums, The Infamous and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. With exciting new music on the horizon and a tour to commemorate their pact on hip-hop, Havoc continues to keep the spirit of Mobb Deep alive.
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