Livin' in a Crime Wave

AMG Review of Livin' in a Crime Wave

Alex Henderson
All Music Guide

The Havoc & Prodeje that brought us 1993's Livin' in a Crime Wave and belonged to the South Central Cartel should not be should not be confused with the Havoc & Prodigy that comprise Mobb Deep, although both are hardcore rap artists. While the influential Mobb Deep came out of Queens and was part of the same scene that gave us Capone-N-Noreaga, the Havoc & Prodigy heard on this CD is a more conventional gangsta rap duo from South-Central Los Angeles. (And neither the Havoc from L.A. nor the Havoc from Queens should be confused with the heavy metal/hard rock band Havoc!) Anyone who plays Livin' in a Crime Wave next to one of Mobb Deep's albums will know they're two entirely different groups. The groups' rapping styles are quite different, and while Mobb Deep's chilling, atmospheric rhymes were inspired by thug life in Queens, this CD is full of references to South-Central L.A. and Compton (the area that gave us N.W.A). Though derivative, N.W.A-influenced tunes like "We Ain't Nuttin' But Locs" and "Disturb The Peace" aren't distinctive or very original, Gary "Havoc" Calvin and Austin "Prodeje" Patterson come up with enough catchy beats and hooks to make the album enjoyable.