Who is rapper NORE?
NORE is an American rapper, best known to the world as one half of the East Coast hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga (C-N-N) with rapper Capone. He has also had a successful solo career, releasing such hit singles as “Superthug”, “Nothin’”, “Oye Mi Canto”, and Banned from T.V.”.
N.O.R.E. Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
He was born Victor Santiago Jr. on 6 September 1977 under the Virgo zodiac sign in New York City, USA, the son of Victor Mambo Santiago, but there is no information about his mother and any siblings.
Of African-American ancestry on his mother’s side, and Puerto Rican through his father, NORE grew up on the mean streets of New York. His formal education is unknown.
Capone-N-Noreaga Duo
Growing up, N.O.R.E was often involved in petty crimes and misdemeanor acts; he was caught by police during one such act, and was brought imprisoned. While in jail, he befriended a similar-minded man, Kiam Holley, better known under the pseudonym Capone.
Once out of prison, N.O.R.E launched his music career under the pseudonym Noreaga, after the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, and formed the duo with his friend from prison, Capone-N-Noreaga, also known as C-N-N.
After appearing in The Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype column, they were noticed by Neil Levine, record executive and founder of Penalty Recordings.
The duo signed with the record label the same year, and began working on their debut album. Unfortunately, Capone violated his parole, and was incarcerated before the album was done. With the help of such musical acts as Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi, N.O.R.E finished the debut album “The War Report”, and released it to critical acclaim on 17 June 1997.
The album reached No. 21 on the US Billboard 200 chart, and peaked at No. 3 on the US Rap chart, thanks to such songs as “L.A., L.A.”, “Closer”, and “Illegal Life”, among other hits.
After promoting “The War Report” following Capone’s release, the duo began working on their second album. Still, Capone again violated his probation, and ended up in jail before they finished the album.
The duo switched to Tommy Boy Records for the album’s release, and N.O.R.E. worked with several artists to complete the album. “The Reunion” finally came out on 21 November 2000 to mixed reviews, featuring such hits as “Invincible”, “Y’all Don’t Wanna”, and “Phone Time”. Capone’s incarceration undermined the album’s promotion, but the duo signed a contract with Def Jam once he got out.
However, this caused problems, as Tommy Boy claimed the rights to the Capone-N-Noreaga name, and that the duo owed more recordings to the company. As a result, the two shortened the name to C-N-N. and Noreaga started using N.O.R.E. as his stage name for solo work. They recorded the album “New Religion” but never released it, as the lead single, “Yes, Sir” failed to make an impact, and they eventually shelved the album.
Further problems ensued as Capone and N.O.R.E were involved in a shooting between two rival hip-hop groups. Capone was released from his Def Jam contract, and C-N-N dissolved.
However, in 2006 a possible reunion of the popular hip-hop duo was announced, and two years later, C-N-N released the mixtape “Back on That Q.U. Shit”, followed by their third studio album “Channel 10”, released through SMC Recordings, which reached No. 7 on the US R&B chart, spawning such hits as “Rotate” – a collaboration with Busta Rhymes and Ron Browz – and “Talk To Me Big Time”.
Since their reunion, C-N-N has released two other albums, “The War Report 2: Report the War” in 2010 and “Lessons” in 2015, after which the two rappers predominantly focused on their solo efforts.
Solo Career
In 1997 when Capone was jailed for the second time, N.O.R.E started working on his first solo album. With the release of the self-titled album, N.O.R.E. explained that his initials mean “Niggaz on (the) Run Eatin’”.
The album became a massive commercial hit, as it reached No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, and topped the US R&B chart, and achieved platinum status, spawning such hits as “N.O.R.E”, “Superthug”, and “Banned from T.V.”.
Despite Capone’s return, N.O.R.E. continued making his own music, and in 1999 released his second studio album, “Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler”. Although it didn’t achieve the success of its predecessor, it still reached the top ten on the US Billboard 200 chart, peaking at No. 9, and achieving gold status.
He had trouble releasing his third studio album, “God’s Favorite”, and had to postpone the official release date to 2002. However, once released, the album peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart and achieved platinum status, spawning N.O.R.E.’s major hit “Nothin’”.
N.O.R.E. next turned to his Puerto Rican roots, and began making music in the Spanish language, and switched to reggaeton music. The first such album came out in 2006, entitled “N.O.R.E. u la Familia… Ya Tu Sabe”, released through Jay-Z’s Roc La Familia label, and including the hit “Oye Mi Canto”, and other songs such as “Mas Maiz”, “Vente Mami” and “Y Voy”.
Since then, N.O.R.E. has released three studio albums – “Noreality” (2007), “Student of the Game” (2013), and “5E” (2018), which was his last studio album. He is now a record producer and the CEO of his own imprint, Militainment Business.
Net Worth
As of mid- 2022, N.O.R.E.’s net worth has been estimated to be around $2 million, earned largely through his successful career as a rapper.
Personal Life, Dating, Married, Wife, Single?
N.O.R.E. has been very strict in sharing details with the media when it comes to his personal life. According to reports, N.O.R.E. has been a married man since 4 September 2009, to a woman named Neri, and the couple shares a child, Noah, who is now 11 years old.
Appearance and Vital Statistics
The prominent rapper is known for having his head shaved; he has brown eyes. He stands at a height of 5ft 10ins (1.78m), while he weighs approximately 172lbs (78kgs). His vital statistics are unknown, and he has an average figure.
Hobbies, Interests, and Trivia
The record label controversially released his album “S.O.R.E” in 2009 against his will. He denounced the album, and asked fans not to purchase it.
In 2009, N.O.R.E. was arrested at a Fatburger restaurant in Miami Beach, Florida, after he started a fight with another customer. He was detained and charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, but was released shortly after.
N.O.R.E. is the host of the podcast show “Drink Champs”, in which he interviews random celebrities. One episode became negatively viral as he interviewed Lamar Odom, who at one point left the show saying that he was feeling uncomfortable. N.O.R.E. asked Odom about his National Basketball Association (NBA) championship rings, not knowing that Odom lost them in his bout with substance abuse, and Odom thought he was making fun of him. N.O.R.E. was criticized for his actions, but later apologized to the former NBA star.
Before “Drink Champs”, N.O.R.E. hosted another show, “On the Run Eatin’”, in which he is shown trying various foods in various places.
