Along with Marly Marl, Nas, Cormega and his Mobb Deep brothers, Big Noyd helped put Queensbridge on the map as far as New York hip hop goes. His debut verse was on "Stomp 'Em Out" from Mobb Deep's 1993 debut Juvenile Hell, but it was on 1995’s "Give Up The Goods (Just Step)" from Mobb’s classic album The Infamous that put him on the map. “Yo, it's the R-A-Double-P-E-R N-O-Y-D, ni--as can't f--k with me!” Noyd practically got his first record contract from that line alone.
His debut album, Episodes of a Hustla, was released in 1996 on Tommy Boy Records while he was locked up. Once he was released, he was able to promote his 2003 follow-up, Only The Strong, and 2004’s On The Grind, with a steady stream of live shows and interviews. He also appeared in 2004’s Mobb Deep-produced Murda Muzik The Movie.
So to celebrate the release of his latest album, Illustrious, and the release of Mobb Deep founder (and Freestyle 101 vet) Prodigy’s new album H.N.I.C. 2, we present Big Noyd!
We met Noyd at Play Studios in New York, where Prodigy was holed up trying to finishing his album before getting locked up for three years on a weapons charge. He stepped in the booth ready to rep his city and did so in one illustrious take over a lush R.N.S. beat. The man is a true professional. He also chatted about coming up in the Queensbridge projects and what the freestyle scene on the block was like.
Webby Award winning Freestyle 101 goes up at 9 a.m. PST (that’s noon over on the east) every Tuesday. Next week we bring you newcomer Ali Vegas, followed by Smooth da Hustler/Trigger da Gambler/DV Alias Kryst, Lil’ Fame of M.O.P., Dame Grease and Meeno, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Kool Keith, and many more. Make sure to dig our behind the scenes photos, visit us on MySpace and rant in our Forums. And if you dig this watch more New Yorkers on Freestyle 101s, including Prodigy, Buckshot, Sean Price, Shyheim, Sheek Louch, Fat Loe, Papoose and more.
