The 30 Greatest Hip-Hop Demos
By Chairman Mao | Mar 17, 2011 | 2:55 pm | Permalink
#6. Mobb Deep (p.k.a. Poetical Prophets), Four Song Demo (1991)
Poetical Prophets "Flavor For the Non-Believers"
Bonus Tracks (Not on demo but mentioned below)
Mobb Deep "Patty Shop"
In an era rife with kiddie rappers and R&B singers, Havoc and Prodigy (then doing business as the Poetical Prophets) showed the world that juveniles could roll just as hardcore as any of their degenerate grown-up counterparts. Anchored by a snaking electric piano loop, the OG run-through of “Flavor For the Non-Believers” actually trumps the subsequent released version for grimy appeal. After claiming “Unsigned Hype” honors in July of ’91, the demo attracted the attention of 4th & Broadway A&R (and world famous music journalist) Bonz Malone, paving the way for a name change, and Mobb Deep’s debut LP, Juvenile Hell.
When Mobb Deep’s 4th & Broadway situation deteriorated Havoc approached Matty C—transitioning out of his editorial post at The Source (where he wrote the “Unsigned Hype” column) and into an A&R gig at Loud Records—with a new demo track, “Patty Shop.” It was off the strength of this single demo track that Mobb Deep signed a new deal with Loud. (The remainder of what’s recently circulated as The Infamous Demos consists of fascinating early versions of songs that would later make up the bulk of Mobb Deep’s landmark second album.)
Schott Free on the creative leap the group had made: “On the [first] album Prodigy was more or less the dude choppin’ up [beats]. And Havoc was more or less the lyrical dude—even in a lot of instances writing a lot of Prodigy’s shit. But you see the dynamic switch with the demo. Havoc is the one that’s trying to chop beats and learn the MPC now, and Prodigy has this new style which is calm: ‘You got a lot of heart, boy/All that yappin’/Acting like it can’t happen/It’s niggas like you that fail to realize the realness/So now I gotta deal with this.’ That was a whole ’nother style for him. He [told me], ‘Yo, man, I just decided I want my style to be like I’m talking to these motherfuckers. I’m rappin’, but I want my style to come off like I’m having a conversation.’ And that’s when we love P the best: real calm and just conversatin’ with you.”
Stretch March 17th, 2011 at 06:26 PM
You forgot to mention Payday Records, as well as Freeze which was part of the Priority deal.
Shawn Biggs March 17th, 2011 at 09:55 PM
No body deserves to be number one other than B.I.G
verge March 17th, 2011 at 10:47 PM
The Organized Konfusion demos and quite a few others here, and NOT here, are much iller than Biggie's but it's a matter of personal taste. This is a cool list, props Chairman Mao, no way would I wanna sit here and rack my brain to do something like this. A part 2 of lesser known acts' demos would be the bee's knees.
Hannibal March 19th, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Why? Because that's all you know?
Kell Bc August 3rd, 2011 at 04:28 AM
Hannibal, that really made no sense.... knowing lesser known Demo Tape's takes more knowledge more time, more dedication to digging.... then a person like yourself going to google & typing the 50 of the best hiphop albums. I'm assuming you don't even know what Verge is about.... do some research & go a little deeper then the shallow waters of hiphop your only frolicking in you herb.
reese March 18th, 2011 at 01:07 AM
does anyone have downloads for some of these demos? it would of been cool if they put download links in the list too
MontePlus March 28th, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I agree... You should check us out at www.dynamicproducer.com
nubalance March 18th, 2011 at 01:07 AM
saafir boxcar sessions demo. slept - if youre tired then go take a nap - on. cenobites. fabulous fleas. beatnuts intoxicated demo. good job chairman.
Clarence Ray Ash March 18th, 2011 at 03:42 AM
This whole list is incredible. Thanks for taking the time !
GeeKay March 18th, 2011 at 04:06 AM
Nas' demo is the best imo. i listen to it everytime the seasons change..it jus thas that feelin to it
Clarence Ray Ash March 18th, 2011 at 04:25 AM
After having skimmed, and listened to several of these I hadn't heard all the way through ha ha.. I have to say: : Public Enemy should have been #one.. one.. one .one. one...
j love hater March 18th, 2011 at 04:57 AM
who the fuck is j love? that guy is already getting on my nuts!
Huh? March 18th, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Cage doesn't drop the N bomb at all in that song... Not even once.. Not sure where you guys pulled that from
He Who Hungers March 19th, 2011 at 10:28 AM
few bars before the end of the 1st verse.
Seriously? March 19th, 2011 at 05:07 PM
"Sick - I guess I am so could you please pass the Pepto / Next up, I'm stealing niggas hearts like I was klepto" Sooooooo, did you even listen to the song?
Huh? March 18th, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Cage doesn't drop the n bomb once on that song.. Not at all. What are you guys talking about??
verge March 19th, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Not sure exactly what you're talking about but I DO have Cage demos where he drops n-bombs here and there. Some of his better material, imo, no racist.