As one half of the successful rap duo Mobb Deep, Prodigy (aka Albert Johnson) returns with his second solo effort ‘Return of the Mac’. With partner in crime Havoc, Prodigy was responsible for some of the most successful rap albums (both commercially and critically) under Mobb Deep, including ‘The Infamous’, ‘Hell on Earth’ and ‘Murda Muzik’. In 2000, he went solo with his debut album ‘H.N.I.C.’ (Head Nigga In Charge), again to commercial and critical acclaim. Mobb Deep eventually split in 2003, but reformed again in 2005 under 50 Cent’s G-Unit label. In 2006, they released ‘Blood Money’ on G-Unit Records, but as solo artists, both Prodigy and Havoc are signed to independent labels. Seven years after his first solo effort, Prodigy is back to show that not only is he back, he never left the game.

Entirely produced by longtime Mobb Deep collaborator The Alchemist, and is the first release without Havoc appearing in any way. The album begins with an intro sampling UK rapper Mark Morrison’s hit ‘Return of the Mack’, and largely features samples coming from the Blaxploitation era. ‘Return of the Mac aka New York S***’, is heavy on samples with Prodigy rapping over the top. This type of sampling by the Alchemist is markedly different from the harder edged style of Mobb Deep, and is juxtaposed nicely with Prodigy’s rhymes.

Staunchly New York, and it shows, Prodigy recalls life in his hometown on ‘Down & Out In New York City’ (featuring a sample from the James Brown track of the same name) and ‘The Rotten Apple’. Painting a bleak picture, coupled with equally bleak beats, he shows just how the city made him the way he is. “…Hell over in Queens / That swell up in my jeans / Don’t mean I’m happy to see you / It mean I got that thing.” On ‘Take It To The Top’, Alchemist employs a funky sample that merges into a tougher beat and Prodigy’s rhymes. The same underlying themes of drugs, murder, and all around gangster activity are still rife here; Prodigy has lost none of his edge, which is surprising given the more mature sound that Alchemist brings to the fore. On ‘P. Speaks’, Prodigy big ups himself, claiming, “I made niggas step their game up…everybody had to get a bigger chain”. It’s almost comical, but Prodigy doesn’t take it to the point of gassing his head like some of the other rappers out there. ‘Bang On ‘Em’ continues Alchemist’s crate digging fascination, with another funk-laden sample, this time slowed down a bit.

Prodigy has returned and his new album shows a more refined, somewhat evolved sound, thanks largely in part to the Alchemist. It’s almost enough to forgive him for the Mobb Deep disaster that was ‘Blood Money’. ‘Return of the Mac’ is reportedly meant to be a prequel for Prodigy’s forthcoming release ‘H.N.I.C. 2’. Kind of like a Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 thing. Maybe once that comes out, the whole thing with mesh together like one giant opus. For now, what we have is still one very good unfinished symphony.