The Bridge is over

Now that Mobb Deep, Queensbridge’s second most famous rap sons (well, apparently the new Nas record is on form, apologies to MC Shan) are past the point of no return for those of us underwhelmed by their new sponsors G-Unit, it’s perfect timing for a retrospective. Hence, November sees the release of “Life Of The Infamous: The Best Of Mobb Deep”, which gets by surprisingly well despite only drawing three tracks from their classic ’95 LP, “The Infamous”.

Selected by Prodigy and Havoc themselves, the remainder of the tracklist peaks with Prodigy’s solo release “Keep It Thoro” and Mobb singles like “The Learning”, “Hell On Earth” and “Get It Twisted”. Bad luck, then, that commercial offerings like the Lil’ Kim hook-up, ”Quiet Storm”, and Lil’ Jon featuring “Real Gangstarz” are the tracks on which they’ve been judged by most. Its Havoc’s own brand of gothic, stripped-back, skeletal hip hop that best suits Prodigy’s frequently inspired verses and when they’re in that zone it’s a murky but exhilarating place.

If “The Infamous” proves too dense and dark, this could be your chance to figure out an act who, at their best, match the heights graced by the Wu-Tang and Nas during New York’s golden age. Otherwise, sit tight for the long-delayed return of Virginia’s Clipse – probably as close as you're going to get to Mobb Deep in their prime these days.

“Life Of The Infamous: The Best Of Mobb Deep” is released on November 20th.