News & Features » May 2013 » Akashic Launches Infamous Books Imprint with Prodigy of Mobb Deep

Akashic Launches Infamous Books Imprint with Prodigy of Mobb Deep

Prodigy, from the legendary hip-hop group Mobb Deep, launches Akashic’s new Infamous Books imprint with a story of loyalty, vengeance, and greed.

• Click here to read a front page New York Times Arts Section feature about H.N.I.C. and the Infamous Books imprint.

• Click here for details about the limited edition signed package for H.N.I.C. by Albert “Prodigy” Johnson.

• Click here for details about the regular (unsigned) paperback and hardcover editions of H.N.I.C.

With H.N.I.C., Prodigy inaugurates Infamous Books, a revolutionary partnership that pairs the Infamous Records brand with Brooklyn-based independent publisher Akashic Books. Infamous Books’ mission is to connect readers worldwide to crime fiction and street lit authors both familiar and new. Future releases include works by national best sellers JaQuavis Coleman, K’wan, Miasha, others.

The first release by Infamous Books on July 16, 2013, is the novella H.N.I.C. by Prodigy, a story of loyalty, vengeance, and greed. Prodigy, who debuted as an author with the critically acclaimed autobiography My Infamous Life in 2011, is currently preparing for the release of his solo album project Albert Einstein on June 11, 2013; the album was produced by his long-time collaborator the Alchemist. Additionally, Prodigy is currently in the midst of an international tour with Mobb Deep, which will continue through 2013.

Prodigy worked on his first fiction effort with award-winning British fantasy, horror, and thriller writer Steven Savile, whose most popular thriller Silver was a best seller in Europe, topping at #2 in the UK in 2011 and becoming one of the biggest books of the year. Savile, who primarily made his name working in established franchises such as Star Wars, Stargate, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and Pathfinder, is also responsible for the story line for the international best-selling computer game Battlefield 3, which sold over five million copies in its week of release. This genuine collaboration has delivered a truly captivating read that combines the uncompromising streetwise narratives of Prodigy’s lyrics with the literary expertise of a celebrated writer like Steven Savile.

“You can tell that a true lyricist created this gritty tale about greed, betrayal, and street romance. The wordplay is dead on. Combine that with the details that give the freshness of immediate experience and you are no longer reading the story, you are suddenly a character in it. This is what good writing does—it puts you right there in the middle of the action. Excellent read. Salute!”
—Miasha, best-selling author of Secret Society

“Prodigy is a proven storyteller and his skills spill over into the literature game effortlessly. This is a five-star read.”
—JaQuavis Coleman, best-selling coauthor of the Cartel series

“H.N.I.C. is a quick yet engaging read that kept me flipping the pages to see what would happen next.”
—K’wan, best-selling author of Animal

Posted: May 31, 2013

Category: News | Tags: H.N.I.C., Infamous Books, Mobb Deep, Prodigy, street lit, urban fiction