N.O.R.E. | |
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 Mugshot of N.O.R.E. in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Victor James Santiago Jr. |
| Also known as |
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| Born | September 6, 1977 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels |
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| Member of | Capone-N-Noreaga |
| Formerly of | Flipmode Squad |
| Website | www |
Victor James Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977), better known by his stage names N.O.R.E. (an acronym for Nigga On the Run Eating) and Noreaga, is an American rapper. Santiago first rose to prominence as one half of the East Coast hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga, which he formed in 1995 with fellow Queens-based rapper Capone. The duo released five studio albums, briefly disbanding after their second to pursue solo careers.
Santiago signed with Penalty Recordings as a solo artist to release his self-titled debut studio album in 1998.[a] The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 single "Superthug" (featuring the Neptunes). He followed up with his second album, Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler (1999) before signing with Def Jam Recordings to release his third album, God's Favorite (2002). Matching his debut in chart position, it spawned his highest charting-single "Nothin'" (featuring Pharrell), which peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Jay-Z's Roc-La-Familia to release his fourth album N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe (2006), which saw his departure from hip hop in favor of reggaeton. It spawned the single "Oye Mi Canto" (featuring Nina Sky and Daddy Yankee), which peaked at number 12 on the chart.[2]
His independently-released fifth and sixth albums, Noreality (2007) and Student of the Game (2013) marked his return to East Coast hip hop. The latter narrowly entered the Billboard 200 and was issued through fellow New York rapper Busta Rhymes' Conglomerate label, although Santiago has since launched his own label imprint, Militainment Business. He signed with Nas' Mass Appeal Records to release his seventh album, 5E (2018).
Outside of music, Santiago is the co-host (with DJ EFN) of the talk show/podcast Drink Champs, which centers around celebrity interviews. The show has been described as "The Premier Hip Hop Interview Show" and has won "Best Hip Hop Platform" at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.[3]
- ^ "N.O.R.E. At Venue". 20 November 2013.
- ^ Estevez, Marjua (26 September 2017). "N.O.R.E. On Creating The Biggest Reggaeton Record Of His Time: "I Believed In My People"". Vibe.com.
- ^ Thorpe, Isha (November 11, 2022). "DJ EFN says the sky's the limit for Drink Champs". Revolt.com.
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