Havoc and Prodigy started rapping in the late 1980s when the two met at the High School of Art and Design in New York City. Havoc took on the role of producer, while Prodigy assumed the position of primary rapper. Originally dubbing themselves the Poetical Profits, they later changed their name to Mobb Deep in order to "reflect their reputation on the streets." In their early career, they released the single "Cop Hell". While both members of the duo were only 17, they released their debut Juvenile Hell, which was lead by the single, "Peer Pressure". The album sold very poorly and was met with harsh reviews that wrote the duo off as just another hardcore group with little to distinguish them from the rest of the rap world. However, a few songs from Juvenile Hell gained a little recognition,