Mobb Deep’s ‘Prodigy’ to launch new book in DUMBO

Brooklyn BookBeat

July 23, 2013 From Akashic Books

Screen Shot 2013-07-23 at 9.19.25 AM.png

Share this:

This past June, Albert “Prodigy” Johnson of the seminal hip-hop duo Mobb Deep inaugurated Infamous Books, a revolutionary partnership that pairs the Infamous Records brand with Brooklyn-based independent publisher Akashic Books. Infamous Books’ mission is to connect readers worldwide to crime fiction and street lit authors both familiar and new.

The first release by Infamous Books on July 16, 2013, was Prodigy’s novella “H.N.I.C.” – a story of loyalty, vengeance and greed. Prodigy will appear in Brooklyn to launch his book on July 25 at powerHouse Arena in DUMBO.

Prodigy, who debuted as an author with the critically acclaimed autobiography “My Infamous Life” in 2011, has recently released a solo album Albert Einstein; the album was produced by his long-time collaborator the Alchemist. Prodigy is currently in the midst of an international tour with Mobb Deep, which will continue through 2013.

Prodigy worked on “H.N.I.C.” with award-winning British fantasy, horror and thriller writer Steven Savile, whose popular thriller “Silver” was a best seller in Europe, topping at #2 in the U.K. in 2011 and becoming one of the biggest books of the year. Savile, who first made his name working in established franchises such as Star Wars, Stargate, Jurassic Park: The Lost World and Pathfinder, is also responsible for the story line for the international best-selling computer game Battlefield 3, which sold over five million copies in its week of release.

In the novella, Pappy tries to break out of the game before the head of his crew, Black, gets them all killed. Against his better judgment Pappy agrees to do one last job, but only because it’s the price of his freedom. He knows Black can’t be trusted. He knows his “brother” would rather see him dead than let him walk away. Yet he still agrees to do the job because Black isn’t the only one who can’t be trusted.

Simultaneously a fast-paced crime drama and an engrossing, unsentimental moral tale, “H.N.I.C.” peers into the dark heart that underpins the codes of loyalty and friendship, betrayal and vengeance.
* * *

The July 25 event will begin at 7 p.m. powerHouse Arena is located at 37 Main St. in DUMBO

* * *

Albert “Prodigy” Johnson, as one half of the hip-hop phenomenon Mobb Deep, has sold millions of albums, performed throughout the world, and recorded with the elite of hip-hop, R&B, and rock with his signature style of hard-core, reality-based music. Born with the hereditary disease sickle-cell anemia, Prodigy has battled pain his entire life and is now promoting the importance of a healthy diet, spiritual enrichment, and a positive, productive lifestyle. He lives in Queens, New York.

Steven Savile, a multiple finalist for the British Fantasy Award, has written for Doctor

Who, Torchwood, Primeval, Stargate, Warhammer, Sláine, Fireborn, Pathfinder and other popular game and comic series. He wrote the story for the international best-selling computer game Battlefield 3, which sold over five million copies in its week of release, and served as head writer for the popular online children’s game Spineworld.