N.O.R.E. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
N.O.R.E.
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N.O.R.E. in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Victor James Santiago Jr. |
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| Born | September 6, 1977 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1995–present |
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Victor James Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977), known as N.O.R.E. and Noreaga, is an American rapper. He first became famous in 1995. This was when he formed the hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga with his friend Capone.
The duo released five studio albums together. After their second album, they took a break to work on solo music. Santiago signed with Penalty Recordings to release his first solo album, N.O.R.E., in 1998. This album was very popular. It reached number three on the Billboard 200 music chart. The song "Superthug" from this album was a big hit. It featured the Neptunes and made it into the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
His next album, God's Favorite (2002), also reached number three. It had his highest-charting song, "Nothin'", featuring Pharrell. This song reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2006, he released N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe. This album showed his move from hip hop to reggaeton music. The song "Oye Mi Canto" from this album was also a hit. It featured Nina Sky and Daddy Yankee and reached number 12.
Later, N.O.R.E. returned to East Coast hip hop. He released Noreality (2007) and Student of the Game (2013). The latter was released through Busta Rhymes' Conglomerate label. N.O.R.E. also started his own label, Militainment Business. In 2018, he released his seventh album, 5E, with Nas' Mass Appeal Records.
Besides music, Santiago is a co-host of the Drink Champs podcast. He hosts it with DJ EFN. The show features interviews with many celebrities. It is known as "The Premier Hip Hop Interview Show." In 2022, it won "Best Hip Hop Platform" at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Growing Up in Queens
Victor James Santiago Jr. was born on September 6, 1977. He grew up in Queens, New York City. His father was Puerto Rican and his mother was African-American. He lived in the LeFrak City apartment complex. This area is in the Corona neighborhood of Queens.
Starting with Capone-N-Noreaga
Santiago began his music career in 1995. He used the name Noreaga, inspired by Manuel Noriega. He formed a duo called Capone-N-Noreaga (C-N-N). His partner was his friend Capone. They both grew up in Queens.
In 1996, they signed with Penalty Recordings. Their first album, The War Report, came out in 1997. This album was a big success. It made the duo famous in the hip hop world. Critics praised its "grimey boom-bap" sound. This was a classic style of New York City hip hop. The album reached #21 on the Billboard 200 chart. Several songs from it also charted.
Solo Success and New Sounds
First Solo Album: N.O.R.E.
After The War Report, Capone went to jail again. This led Noreaga to start a solo career. His first solo album, N.O.R.E., was released in 1998. The album was even more successful than the duo's first. It reached #3 on the Billboard 200. It was also certified platinum, meaning it sold over a million copies.
The album featured famous rappers like Nas and Busta Rhymes. It also had a new, modern sound. Producers like The Neptunes and Swizz Beatz worked on it. The Neptunes produced the hit song "Superthug". This song reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was one of The Neptunes' first major hit productions.
Changing His Name and Music Style
Noreaga continued his solo career. He officially changed his stage name to N.O.R.E. His third solo album, God's Favorite, came out in 2002. This album also peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200. It was later certified platinum. The album included the major hit "Nothin'", produced by The Neptunes. This song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became N.O.R.E.'s highest-charting song.
After God's Favorite, N.O.R.E. explored new music. He started making Spanish-language songs. This reflected his Puerto Rican background. He began creating reggaeton music instead of traditional hip hop. In 2004, the reggaeton single "Oye Mi Canto" became a big hit. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2006, N.O.R.E. released a reggaeton and hip hop album. It was called N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe. This album included "Oye Mi Canto" and "Mas Maiz". It had both English and Spanish songs. The album did not chart as high as his previous ones. It reached #82 on the Billboard 200.
Later Career and Podcasting
Return to Hip Hop and New Albums
N.O.R.E. released his fifth album, Noreality, in 2007. It featured artists like Jadakiss and Kanye West. The album was supported by the single "Set It Off". This song featured vocals and production from Swizz Beatz.
In 2009, N.O.R.E. reunited with Capone. They released their third album, Channel 10. It charted at No. 136 on the Billboard 200. A fourth Capone-N-Noreaga album, The War Report 2, came out in 2010.
In 2011, rapper Busta Rhymes announced he signed N.O.R.E. to his label, Conglomerate Records. N.O.R.E. also started his own label, Militainment Business. In 2013, N.O.R.E. changed his name again to P.A.P.I. He released Student of the Game in April 2013. He later said he planned to retire from solo albums. However, he continued making music. In 2017, N.O.R.E. signed with Nas' Mass Appeal Records. He released his seventh album, 5E, in July 2018.
Drink Champs Podcast
In March 2016, N.O.R.E. started co-hosting the "Drink Champs" podcast. He hosts it with DJ EFN. The podcast became very popular. It gets over five million listens each month. Since November 2016, the show has been broadcast on Revolt. The podcast is known for its interviews with hip hop stars. It won "Best Hip Hop Platform" at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Discography
Studio albums
- N.O.R.E. (1998)
- God's Favorite (2002)
- N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe (2006)
- Noreality (2007)
- Student of the Game (2013)
- 5E (2018)
Video Game Appearances
N.O.R.E. is a playable character in two video games. He appears as himself in Def Jam Vendetta (2003). He is also in its sequel, Def Jam: Fight For NY (2004).
See also
In Spanish: N.O.R.E. para niños
