Mobb Deep's level of consistency puts them in rare company when it comes to hip-hop's past two decades. While they've had their differences, Havoc and Prodigy have managed to overcome much of what has torn them apart and keep delivering for the fans. Fresh off a tour of Europe, XXL got Havoc on the phone to talk about the difference between touring in the States vs. overseas, the Mobb's last album, the state of the New York hip-hop scene and the future of Mobb Deep. Queensbridge, stand up. —Carl Lamarre

XXL: What’s new, man?
Havoc: Ain’t nothing, man. You know, just working on music as usual. Touring with Mobb Deep and just working on beats for Mobb Deep and you know, other artists and stuff like that.

I know you were overseas recently. How did that go?
Yeah, it went really well. You know, we haven’t been there [Europe] in a while. So they be having us over there doing a couple of sets and shows. We actually had a three-week tour over there, even prior to that. So that shit went well. That shit went real good.

Do you have a particular place that you love performing internationally?
Internationally? I could say that we get a lot a lot of love in France. That’s a place that I like to perform at. But I like performing in Europe, period, because they really love hip-hop.

Do fans show more love internationally than over here in the States? Because I’ve heard a couple of artists say in the past that they get treated like gods overseas.
Yeah, I mean, for the most part. Now, based on the certain types of hip-hop, like '90s hip-hop, and all of that, late 2000s, they do show a lot of love to it, you know what I mean? Because over here [in the States], it’s more like Top 40 now when you’re performing in certain places. The love over there is more concentrated and more of a variety, you know what I mean? But they fuck with the new shit and the new artists that are out, as well as they fuck with us. So that’s kind of like a difference.

Considering the Infamous Mobb Deep album came out back in April, looking back at the project now as a whole, are there any changes you would have made? Or are you satisfied with how it came out?
Let me see. I really liked the album a lot, you know what I mean? So it’s not really too much I would change. Only thing I would probably say is that I wished I produced a few more tracks on there myself.

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How would you describe the landscape of New York hip-hop right now? You have Bobby Shmurda out here. You have Remy Ma coming back. Are you a fan of it?
I think it’s good. I’m feeling it. I’m definitely a fan of it. You can’t never count New York out. No matter its current situation right now. You know, right now, the game is different. But I always love to see my New York comrades stepping they game up and, you know, not letting the game have its foot on they neck, because a certain region might be popping, you know what I’m saying? So it’s always good to see my fellow comrades in NYC stepping up to the plate in a major, major big way. I’ll always be happy for them, no matter how the music sounds.

Everything feels like it's reverting back to the early 2000s and late '90s with the return of G-Unit, Ma$e & Diddy, and the return of Remy Ma. Do you feel the same way?
Nah, you right. You have the right idea. That is happening, you know? Because of a lot of these dudes is coming back. It’s like “Once Upon A Time”; when people had it, they had it. And at this point, they’re nostalgic. People are always gonna listen to them. So why would they just sit back forever and not come back out? You know, the youngins nowadays, they do their research. They respect it. They know who these people are coming back.

Obviously, you’ve worked with The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Eminem, Game, Jadakiss and more. Do you have anybody else on your bucket list that you wish to work with at this point in your career?
Ah man. The list is too big. The list is kind of big. Man, there’s a lot of people out there that I would like to do a joint for. I wouldn’t mind doing a joint for Drake, Fab. Who else? Shit, Bobby Shmurda. [Laughs] You know what I’m saying? I’ll do it all.

As for as the Mobb is concerned, are you guys gonna push for another album? Are you guys taking your time? Do you have plans to come back for a solo album? What’s the plan for you?
Nah, we definitely gonna make another album. But I think in between time we probably gonna put out some solo records. I know I got mine coming that I’m almost halfway through. That’s gonna be dope. I know P is working on something. But it’s coming out dope. Then, we gonna bring out another Mobb Deep record and hit the road.

Previously: Havoc’s Five Favorite Beats He Wished He Produced
Prodigy Tells Remy Ma To Jump Right Back In To Rapping After Her Release From Prison
Review: Mobb Deep Offers Their Trademark Sound On The Infamous Mobb Deep

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