Raekwon and Prodigy‘s friendship runs deep. After working together on Mobb Deep‘s 1995 classic The Infamous (“Eye for a Eye [Your Beef Is Mines]” and “Right Back at You”) as well as solo offerings and posse cuts (they recently appeared on AZ’s “Save Them“), the New York rappers had a stacked catalog as collaborators.
Following news of Prodigy’s death on Tuesday (June 20), Raekwon was unable to hop on the phone but expressed his grief over text, calling Prodigy a “beloved friend.” He also noted how he and Mobb Deep were just together after performing separate sets for the Art of Rap festival at the Las Vegas stop Saturday.
“Right now my energy is all over the place from hearing this disturbing news,” Rae wrote. “I’m hurt ..im saddened ….im in shock. We just sat on the couch at our venue we recently had in Vegas 2 days ago. Me and prodigy were real deal friends !!! We shared so many great conversations about our careers and discussing future endeavors. I’m gonna miss my beloved friend. I just lost for words. My heart goes out to his entire family. May God bless your soul prodigy.”
Prodigy, real name Albert Johnson, was 42 when he died at a Las Vegas hospital on Tuesday after being hospitalized for several days due to complications of sickle cell anemia. The exact cause of death is yet to be determined.
Raekwon is currently on the Wild Tour in Sacramento, Calif., where he will pay tribute to Prodigy on Tuesday night.