The Infamous: Original Samples

You asked, and we deliver! I know Thomas has been working on a few Mobb Deep sample sets for quite some time. The sample credits have just been really hard to come by. When someone on the blog here requested the samples from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, Thomas stayed up all night trying to complete this set. Unfortunately, no one here nor anywhere that we’ve come across can figure out what Havoc sampled on “The Start of Your Ending”, “Survival of The Fittest”, or “Eye for an Eye”. Well, we can’t hold this set back any longer.

Released on April 25, 1995, The Infamous is the second album from Mobb Deep. This is the album the broke them through from being an unknown hip hop duo to an influential, successful one. The album’s haunting style, defined by its evocative melodies, sullen rhymes, and rugged beats, reflected the dark side of New York City’s urban landscape in a manner that garnered special recognition and critical praise. Furthermore, the album helped redefine the sound of the hardcore hip hop genre using its production style—which incorporated eerie piano loops, distorted synthesizers, 8th-note hi-hats, and sparse bass lines.

The Infamous was an important contribution to a regional stylistic change. Consequently, the New York style of production greatly changed from upbeat and jazz-influenced, into raw, gritty, stripped-down, and minimalist beats. This style of production, often characterized by low-fidelity drum samples and heavily filtered bass lines under melodic loops, would soon be recognized nationally as unique to New York City.

1. “That’s Alright With Me” by Esther Phillips
   • Sampled in “Give Up The Goods (Just Step)”
   • Produced by Q-Tip
2. “It’s A New Day” by Skull Snaps
   • Sampled in “Give Up The Goods (Just Step)”
   • Produced by Q-Tip
3. “UFO” by ESG
   • Sampled in “Temperature’s Rising”
   • Produced by Q-Tip & Havoc
4. “Where There Is Love” by Patrice Rushen
   • Sampled in “Temperature’s Rising”
   • Produced by Q-Tip & Havoc
5. “Body Heat” by Quincy Jones
   • Sampled in “Temperature’s Rising”
   • Produced by Q-Tip & Havoc
6. “I’m Tired of Giving Up” by The Spinners
   • Sampled in “Up North Trip”
   • Produced by Havoc
7. “You Are My Starship” by Norman Conners
   • Sampled in “Trife Life” and “Q.U.–Hectic”
   • Produced by Havoc
8. “Kitty With The Bent Frame” by Quincy Jones
   • Sampled in “Q.U.–Hectic” and “Shook Ones, Pt. II”
   • Produced by Havoc
9. “Benjamin” by Les McCann
   • Sampled in “Right Back At You”
   • Produced by Havoc, Prodigy, and Schott Free
10. “And If I Had You” by Teddy Pendergrass
    • Sampled in “Cradle To The Grave”
    • Produced by Havoc
11. “I Remember I Made You Cry” by The Headhunters
    • Sampled in “Drink Away The Pain (Situations)”
    • Produced by Q-Tip & Havoc
12. “Dirty Feet” by The Daly Wilson Big Band
    • Sampled in “Shook Ones, Pt. II”
    • Produced by Havoc
13. “Thackeray Meets Faculty” by Ron Grainer
    • Sampled in “Shook Ones, Pt. II”
    • Produced by Havoc
14. “Lonely Fire” by Miles Davis
    • Sampled in “Party’s Over”
    • Produced by Havoc & Matt Life

Download The Infamous: Original Samples