Return Of The Mac
by Prodigy [of Mobb Deep]
  • Record Label: Koch
  • Release Date: Mar 27, 2007
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Even if this is familiar ground, an album so tight in theme and feel is refreshing in an era where most lyricists invite anybody and everybody.
  2. Blender
    70
    [A] ceaselessly grim set. [Apr 2007, p.118]
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  3. cokemachineglow
    67
    I’m happy to hear Prodigy sounding engaged and excited again, even if the quality of his lyricism doesn’t match his newfound enthusiasm.
  5. Lost At Sea
    70
    Mixtapes can be sloppy and scattered, but every Alchemist beat on Return of the Mac works - so well, in fact, that with a little more effort, this could have been an actual album worthy of heavy promotion and radio edits.
  6. Pitchfork
    85
    What it is is the announcement of a stunning and unexpected late-career renaissance; Prodigy is tapping back into the fearsome frustration that once drove him.
  7. PopMatters
    50
    Return of the Mac presents a more refined and progressive Prodigy than the one we heard on Blood Money, but there’s no indication that Hell on Earth‘s Prodigy will be heard from anytime soon.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    80
    He's doing something he hasn't done in years: approaching each concept, no matter how trite or overdone, as if it's his first time, surprising himself as much as he surprises us, and in the same breath.
  9. RapReviews.com
    80
    "Return of the Mac" is everything that "Blood Money" should have been and wasn't.
  10. Stylus Magazine
    83
    The main draw here is in Prodigy rediscovering his way with words.
  11. The New York Times
    70
    He has found a great way to rebound: by going solo and getting weird. [26 Mar 2007]
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  12. Vibe
    70
    There are crackles of life in his leaden thug poetry. [Apr 2007, p.128]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 5 out of 12
  1. ILLmatic94
    Jun 20, 2017
    10
    R.I.P PRODIGY

    This album is hard as **** bun all these other reviews, it's not just ok it's one of the best to ever do it rhyming over some    R.I.P PRODIGY

    This album is hard as **** bun all these other reviews, it's not just ok it's one of the best to ever do it rhyming over some of the duttiest beats crafted by one of the all time greats, Al. Massive album, definitely one of the best hip-hop albums ever made.    … Full Review »
  2. waxmasterj
    May 17, 2016
    10
    A very solid performance by Prodigy, complimented nicely with Alchemist's well crafted beats. It may not be as strong as some of the mid-90'sA very solid performance by Prodigy, complimented nicely with Alchemist's well crafted beats. It may not be as strong as some of the mid-90's Mobb Deep and Prodigy solo LP's, but it is a much stronger effort than the majority of the works that have been put forth post 2000, and a far superior project to anything that has been put forth by Mobb's better half within the last ten years. I believe this offering to be more of a return to form for artist and producer, alike. Alchemist is always at the top of his game when paired with Prodigy and, more often than not, vice versa. Overall, this is a great album full of warm nostalgic bars and beats; highly recommended.… Full Review »
  3. mikes.
    May 8, 2007
    7
    a good old school album. Prodigy and the mc do a good job providing a nostalgia mood.
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