Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy dies at 42

Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy died Tuesday, days after being hospitalized for complications caused by sickle cell anemia, his publicist announced in a statement. He was 42.

"It is with extreme sadness and disbelief that we confirm the death of our dear friend Albert Johnson, better known to millions of fans as Prodigy of legendary New York rap duo Mobb Deep," the statement said. "Prodigy was hospitalized a few days ago in Vegas after a Mobb Deep performance for complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis. As most of his fans know, Prodigy battled the disease since birth. The exact causes of death have yet to be determined."

Prodigy and his Mobb Deep partner, Kejuan "Havoc" Muchita, grew up in Queens, and released their first demo together in 1992; their last album, The Infamous Mobb Deep, was released in 2014. Prodigy came from a family of musicians, and launched a solo career in 2000. In 2011, he wrote an autobiography, My Infamous Life.

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