LIFE OF THE INFAMOUS

Readers of crime fiction are familiar with masterminds, the type of career criminals who can rob a bank and cross state lines in less time than it would take you or me to apply for a mortgage. With H.N.I.C., his debut novella on Akashic’s new Infamous street lit imprint, Mobb Deep lyricist Albert “Prodigy” Johnson switches the focus, writing about Brooklyn kids without a clue, looking for money to fund their gangster dreams or college tuition. The only difference between it and classic Mobb cuts like “Shook Ones Pt. II,” “Survival of the Fittest,” and “Hell on Earth”? A happy ending. Listen to Prodigy speak on his creative process tonight at his PowerHouse Arena book release party.

Thu., July 25, 7 p.m., 2013