Today, May 21, is the birthday of New York rapper and Mobb Deep member Havoc. The Queensbridge legend is now 44.

Born Kejuan Muchita in Queens, New York, Havoc linked up with Mobb Deep's Prodigy while the two MCs went to high school together in New York City. In 1993, the duo released their debut album, Juvenile Hell, unleashing their gritty, unrefined New York sound on the world. After collabing on seven studio albums, including the double platinum Murda Muzik, Havoc ventured out on his own in 2007, dropping his solo debut, The Kush.

To date, Havoc has been on nine Mobb Deep records and six of his own as a solo artist. His last musical offering was in late 2014 with 13 ReloadedA mastermind behind the boards as well as in front of the mic, Havoc has produced for Mobb Deep as well as acts like Method Man, Eminem, Jadakiss, the Notorious B.I.G and more.

On June 20, 2017, tragedy struck the Mobb Deep family when Prodigy passed away after after being hospitalized for sickness related to his sickle cell anemia condition. Although people initially suspected complications from his disease to be the cause of the rapper's death, it was ultimately confirmed that P choked on an egg and that was the reason he died. Understandably, Hav, who'd just spoken with P days prior, was shaken by the rapper's untimely passing.

In the months since the passing of his friend, Havoc has performed Mobb Deep cuts at shows in order to keep P's memory alive. In March 2018, Havoc revealed that he was working with Prodigy's family to create a new Mobb Deep album. At the time, he reported that the project would drop before the end of 2018. Clearly, he's a really good friend

With all of that in mind, here's a very special Happy Birthday to Havoc, a certified rap legend.

Check Out the 2018 Hip-Hop Music Festivals You Need to See

More From XXL