Prodigy (rapper) Biography: Music Group, Age, Cause of Death, Net Worth, Real Name, Songs, Albums, Wikipedia

Albert Johnson, professionally known as Prodigy, was an American rapper and record producer renowned as one half of the iconic hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, alongside Havoc.

A key figure in shaping 1990s East Coast rap, he was known for his gritty lyrics and dark production, with landmark works like The Infamous and Murda Muzik.

Prodigy also pursued a solo career with albums such as H.N.I.C. and collaborated frequently with The Alchemist. Beyond music, he appeared in films including Blackout and 8 Mile.

Profile

• Full name: Albert Johnson
• Stage Name: Prodigy
• Born: 2 November 1974
• Died: 20 June 2017
• Age: 42 years old
• Birthplace: Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, U.S
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American rapper and record producer
• Height: 1.68 m
• Parent: Fatima Frances (Collins) Johnson and Budd Johnson Jr.
• Siblings: Greg Johnson
• Spouse: Kiki Johnson (m. ?–2017)
• Children: Santana Fox, T’Shaka Keion-Maliq Johnson
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life And Education

Albert Johnson was born on November 2, 1974, in Hempstead, New York. He was the son of Fatima Frances (Collins) Johnson, a member of the girl group The Crystals, and Budd Johnson Jr., who performed with the doo-wop group The Chanters. He had an older brother, Greg Johnson. While details about his formal education remain limited, Prodigy was African-American; his personal religious beliefs were not publicly disclosed.

Career

Prodigy began his music career in the early 1990s as one half of the influential rap duo Mobb Deep, alongside Havoc. Known for their gritty lyricism and dark, atmospheric production, the duo quickly rose to prominence in the East Coast hip-hop scene. Their breakthrough album The Infamous (1995), featuring the iconic track “Shook Ones Pt. II,” positioned them as central figures in hardcore rap. Mobb Deep continued to build their legacy with albums like Hell on Earth (1996) and Murda Muzik (1999), the latter achieving commercial success despite rampant bootlegging.

As his group career flourished, Prodigy also began to establish himself as a solo artist. He made standout guest appearances, including on LL Cool J‘s “I Shot Ya” remix, and in 2000 released his debut solo album, H.N.I.C., led by the acclaimed single “Keep It Thoro.” While continuing to release music with Mobb Deep—including albums like Infamy (2001) and Blood Money (2006) under G-Unit—Prodigy maintained a strong solo presence. During a difficult period in the late 2000s, he recorded H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 and the mixtape Return of the Mac (2007) before serving a three-year prison sentence.

After his release in 2011, Prodigy returned to music with renewed focus. He released The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP and his autobiography My Infamous Life, then reunited with Havoc for The Infamous Mobb Deep (2014). He also collaborated with The Alchemist on Albert Einstein (2013), further highlighting his lyrical depth and creative range. Despite facing personal struggles, including a lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia, Prodigy remained an influential force in hip-hop, embracing independent distribution and digital platforms to continue evolving his artistry.

Social Media

Prodigy does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Prodigy married Kiki Johnson in 2007, and despite facing significant challenges—including his prison sentence that same year—the couple remained committed to each other until his passing. They had two children: a son, T’Shaka, who followed in his father’s footsteps in hip-hop under the name Shaka, and a daughter, Fahtasia (Tasia). Prodigy passed away on June 20, 2017, in Las Vegas at the age of 42.

Discography

Studio Albums

• H.N.I.C. (2000)
• H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 (2008)
• H.N.I.C. 3 (2012)
• The Bumpy Johnson Album (2012)
• Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation) (2017)
• The Hegelian Dialectic 2: The Book of Heroine (posthumous, 2022)

Collaborative Albums

• Return of the Mac (with The Alchemist) (2007)
• Product of the 80’s (with Big Twins & Un Pacino) (2008)
• Albert Einstein (with The Alchemist) (2013)
• Young Rollin Stonerz (with Boogz Boogetz) (2014)

EPs

• The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP (2011)

Singles as Lead Artist

• “Keep It Thoro” (2000)
• “Rock Dat Shit”
• “Y.B.E. (Young Black Entrepreneurs)” (featuring B.G.)
• “Mac 10 Handle”
• “Return of the Mac”
• “Stuck on You”
• “ABC”
• “The Life”
• “Great Spitters” (featuring Cory Gunz)

Net Worth

Prodigy, best known as one half of Mobb Deep, had an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time of his death. His earnings came from album sales, touring, royalties, solo projects, and collaborations, along with income from merchandise, publishing rights, and occasional acting roles, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in East Coast hip-hop.