View source for N.O.R.E.

{{short description|American rapper (born 1977)}}
{{Redirect|Noreaga|other people with similar names|Noriega|the 1998 album|N.O.R.E. (album)|the 1998 song|N.O.R.E. (song)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = N.O.R.E.
| image             = Noreaga-02-mika.jpg
| caption           = N.O.R.E. in 1999
| alias             = {{flatlist|
* Noreaga
* P.A.P.I.
* Melvin Flynt<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.straight.com/music/534216/nore-venue | title=N.O.R.E. At Venue | date=November 20, 2013 }}</ref>
}}
| background        = solo_singer
| birth_name        = Victor James Santiago Jr.
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1977|09|06}}
| birth_place       = [[New York City]], U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[East Coast hip-hop]]
* [[hardcore hip-hop]]
* [[reggaeton]]
}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* songwriter
* podcaster
}}
| years_active      = 1995–present
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Mass Appeal Records|Mass Appeal]]
* [[Penalty Recordings|Penalty]]
* [[Entertainment One Music|E1]]
* [[Conglomerate (record label)|Conglomerate]]
* Thugged Out 
* [[Violator (company)|Violator]]
* [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
* [[Roc-La-Familia]]
* [[Tommy Boy Records|Tommy Boy]]
* [[Babygrande Records|Babygrande]]
}}
| current_member_of = [[Capone-N-Noreaga]]
| past_member_of    = [[Flipmode Squad]]
| website           = {{URL|www.drinkchamps.com}}
}}

'''Victor James Santiago Jr.''' (born September 6, 1977), better known by his [[stage name|stage names]] '''N.O.R.E.''' (an acronym for '''N'''igga '''O'''n the '''R'''un '''E'''ating) and '''Noreaga''', is an American rapper and podcaster. 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 (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 [[N.O.R.E. (album)|self-titled debut studio album]] in 1998.{{efn|At the time of its release, he was known as Noreaga, although he changed his stage name to the album's title, N.O.R.E. in late 1999.}} The album peaked at number three on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and spawned the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]-top 40 single "[[Superthug]]". 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 (album)|God's Favorite]]'' (2002). Matching his debut in chart position, it spawned his highest charting-single "[[Nothin' (N.O.R.E. song)|Nothin']]" (featuring [[Pharrell Williams|Pharrell]]), which peaked at number ten on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. He signed with [[Jay-Z]]'s [[Roc-A-Fella Records|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/noreaga-on-being-latino-in-hip-hop-540568/|title= N.O.R.E. On Creating The Biggest Reggaeton Record Of His Time: "I Believed In My People"|website=Vibe.com|last=Estevez|first=Marjua|date= September 26, 2017}}</ref>

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 (record label)|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 (album)|5E]]'' (2018).

Outside of music, Santiago is the co-host (with [[DJ EFN]]) of the [[talk show]] and [[podcast]] ''Drink Champs'', which centers around [[celebrity]] interviews. The show has been described as "The Premier Hip Hop Interview Show" and won "Best Hip Hop Platform" at the [[2022 BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-11-11/252494/dj-efn-on-drink-champs-we-want-to-see-it-grow-into-a-network-interview/|last=Thorpe|first=Isha|title=DJ EFN says the sky's the limit for Drink Champs|date=November 11, 2022|website=Revolt.com}}</ref>

==Early life==
Santiago was born in [[Queens]], [[New York City]], to a [[Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]] father and [[African-American]] mother.<ref>{{cite web |title=Noreaga - Biography, Albums, Streaming Links - AllMusic |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/noreaga-mn0000457544 |website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 7, 2018 |title=N.O.R.E. talks "On The Run Eatin'" food show on #SwayInTheMorning [VIDEO] |url=https://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2018/03/07/n-o-r-e-talks-on-the-run-eatin-food-show-on-swayinthemorning-video/ |access-date=March 7, 2018 |website=hip-hopvibe.com}}</ref> He was raised in apartment 5E in the [[LeFrak City]] apartment complex located in the [[Corona, Queens|Corona]] neighborhood of Queens.<ref>Sheftell, Jason. [http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/lefrak-city-queens-turns-50-article-1.1159198 "LeFrak City in Queens turns 50"], ''[[New York Daily News]]'', September 13, 2012. Accessed February 14, 2018. "Former Net point guard Kenny Anderson learned to dribble in the back where rapper Noreaga rhymed with friends. In 1962, when LeFrak City first opened, men in top hats greeted residents as they entered their section with buildings named after parts of the world — London, Paris, Mexico, Mandalay."</ref>

==Musical career==
===1995–1997: Career beginnings with Capone===
{{main|Capone-N-Noreaga}}
Santiago began his career in 1995, performing under the [[pseudonym]] Noreaga (after [[Panamanian]] ruler [[Manuel Noriega]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=May 30, 2017 |title=Noreaga Pays Tribute To Noriega |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1943623/noreaga-pays-tribute-to-noriega/news/ |access-date=April 29, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref> as part of the duo [[Capone-N-Noreaga]] alongside friend and fellow [[Queens]]-based rapper [[Capone (rapper)|Capone]], whom he met while serving time in prison. Santiago would spend time hanging out in Capone’s neighbouring [[Queensbridge Houses]].<ref name="Sanfiorenzo 2017">{{cite web | last=Sanfiorenzo | first=Dimas | title=N.O.R.E. Explains Why People Kept on Defacing the Prodigy Mural | website=Okayplayer | date=July 29, 2017 | url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/nore-prodigy-mural.html/amp | access-date=November 10, 2022}}</ref><ref name="The Source 2013">{{cite web | title=N.O.R.E. Changes His Name To P.A.P.I. | website=The Source | date=January 4, 2013 | url=https://thesource.com/2013/01/04/n-o-r-e-changes-his-name-to-p-a-p-i/ | access-date=November 10, 2022}}</ref> They signed to [[Penalty Recordings]] in 1996, and released their debut album ''[[The War Report]]'', in 1997. ''The War Report'' was a commercial and critical success that made the duo well known among hip hop audiences. The album received praise for using the "traditional grimey boom-bap" sound of classic [[East Coast hip hop|New York City hip hop]], which at that time was falling out in favor of a more futuristic sound. The album peaked at No. 21 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and the singles "Illegal Life", "Closer", and "T.O.N.Y. (Top of New York)" all charted on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stanley |first=Leo |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0bfexqyhldse~T31 |title=The War Report - Capone-N-Noreaga |publisher=AllMusic |date=June 17, 1997 |access-date=April 17, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===1997–2000: Solo career and debut album===
Following the release of the album, Capone was again sentenced to a jail term, which left Noreaga to take on a solo career and make an album on his own. Noreaga solo debut studio album ''[[N.O.R.E. (album)|N.O.R.E]]'', was released in 1998. The title, a shortening of the artist's name, used the [[backronym]] "[[Fugitive|Niggaz on (the) Run]] [[Money|Eatin']]". The album became even more successful than the duo's debut, charting at No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and being [[RIAA certification|certified platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). The album features [[guest appearance]]s from fellow NYC rappers [[Nas]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Big Pun]] and [[Busta Rhymes]]. It also features a different production style than ''The War Report'', including the modern futuristic sound, with tracks produced by then-up-and-coming producers [[The Neptunes]] and [[Swizz Beatz]]. The Neptunes produced the hit "[[Superthug]]", which reached No. 36 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and No. 1 on the [[Hot Rap Tracks]] chart. The song, along with [[Mase]]'s hit "Lookin' At Me", was one of the Neptunes' first major productions.

In 1999, Noreaga released his second solo album, ''[[Melvin Flynt - Da Hustler]]'', which was a moderate success, reaching the top 10 of the ''Billboard'' 200 and becoming [[RIAA certification|certified gold]] by the RIAA. The album's most successful single (produced by The Neptunes) was "[[Oh No (Noreaga song)|Oh No"]], which reached No. 49 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks]] chart. Capone was released from prison in 1999. The two subsequently began recording music together again and released their second C-N-N album in 2000. The album, titled ''[[The Reunion (Capone-N-Noreaga album)|The Reunion]]'', was not well-received critically and failed to match the commercial success of the duo's debut or Noreaga's solo albums. [[AllMusic]] reviewer Matt Conaway summed up the album by stating "With ''The Reunion'', Capone-N-Noreaga take a step backward." The group would then go on a hiatus and not release another album until 2009.

===2001–2007: Name change and reggaeton era===
Noreaga continued his career as a solo artist. He officially changed his stage name to N.O.R.E. in the late 1990s,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Coleman II |first1=C. Vernon |last2=High |first2=Kemet |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Rappers Who Unsuccessfully Tried Changing Their Names |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/rappers-tried-changing-names/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}</ref> and after some delays, his third solo studio album ''[[God's Favorite (album)|God's Favorite]]'', was released in 2002. The album peaked at No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200. It contained the major hit "[[Nothin' (N.O.R.E. song)|Nothin']]" (produced by The Neptunes), which reached No. 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It became N.O.R.E.'s highest-charting hit.

Following ''God's Favorite'', N.O.R.E. changed his musical focus. He began recording [[Spanish language|Spanish-language]] songs to reflect his [[Puerto Rican people|Puerto Rican]] background and made [[reggaeton]] music, rather than traditional [[hip hop music|hip hop]]. The reggaeton single "[[Oye Mi Canto]]", was released in 2004 and became a major hit, peaking at No. 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The song was originally supposed to be a single from an upcoming album titled ''1 Fan a Day'', but the album was never released. Instead, N.O.R.E. released a reggaeton/hip hop album in 2006, titled ''[[N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe]]'', which included the lead singles "Oye Mi Canto" and "[[Mas Maiz]]". The album, released under [[Jay-Z]]'s [[Roc-La-Familia]], has both English and Spanish language tracks. It did not chart nearly as well as any of N.O.R.E.'s previous solo albums, as it only reached No. 82 on the ''Billboard'' 200.

N.O.R.E. went on to release two more solo albums. The first, his fifth album ''[[Noreality]]'', was released in 2007 and supported by the single "Set It Off", featuring vocals and production from Swizz Beatz. N.O.R.E. released his CD/DVD, ''Noreality'', in September via a joint venture with his own Thugged Out Militainment label and [[Babygrande Records]]. The album features guest appearances from [[Jadakiss]], [[Three 6 Mafia]], [[Kanye West]], [[Pharrell]], [[Mobb Deep]]'s Prodigy, [[Bun B]], [[Tru Life]], [[David Banner]], [[Kurupt]] and Capone. Swizz Beatz is among the producers. The DVD, which was made available in limited quantities, is based on the rapper's life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051272/billboard-bits-grand-national-nore-molotov-more |title=Bits: Grand National, N.O.R.E., Molotov & More |date=June 27, 2007 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref>

The second album ''S.O.R.E.'', was controversially released in 2009. N.O.R.E. would go on to denounce ''S.O.R.E.'', calling it an album he had nothing to do with,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nahright.com/news/2009/09/24/video-nore-dont-support-sore/ |title=Video: N.O.R.E.: Don't Support S.O.R.E. |publisher=Nah Right |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref> as he asked fans not to purchase it.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langhorne |first=Cyrus |url=http://www.sohh.com/2009/09/nore_pleads_w_fans_to_not.html |title=N.O.R.E. Pleads W/ Fans To Not Cop "S.O.R.E." LP, "That's Not My Real Album" (Video) |publisher=Sohh.Com |date=September 13, 2009 |access-date=October 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125082405/http://www.sohh.com/2009/09/nore_pleads_w_fans_to_not.html |archive-date=November 25, 2009 }}</ref> The album is a reference to his [[stage name]] and his [[N.O.R.E. (album)|first album]] which is a [[backronym]] for "Niggaz on (the) Run Eatin'", which makes "S.O.R.E.", "Still on (the) Run Eatin'". The term was first used in late 2007, when N.O.R.E. released a song titled "Still on the Run Eatin'", featuring [[Lil Wayne]]. N.O.R.E. said in a video blog that he didn't approve of this album. He stated the album's [[cover art|artwork]] was of him at 310 pounds, adding that he had lost 62 pounds since then. He also mentioned that five songs on the album were actually handed in, while the rest were pulled off the internet, some of which were recorded in 2007, probably stemming from his label's financial issues. He later stated he was working on an album known as ''N.O.R.E. Pt. 2: Born Again'', later retitled ''[[Student of the Game]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brokencool.com/broken_cool/2009/09/video-nore-says-dont-support-sore.html |title=VIDEO: N.O.R.E. Says Don't Support "S.O.R.E." |publisher=broken cool. |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=October 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929064032/http://www.brokencool.com/broken_cool/2009/09/video-nore-says-dont-support-sore.html |archive-date=September 29, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2009–present: ''Student of the Game'' and podcasting career===
In 2009, N.O.R.E. collaborated with Capone once again, to release their third studio album ''[[Channel 10 (album)|Channel 10]]'', which charted at No. 136 on the ''Billboard'' 200. A fourth Capone-N-Noreaga album, titled ''[[The War Report 2]]'', was released in 2010. Its lead single was "Hood Pride", featuring [[Faith Evans]]. In June 2011, fellow American rapper [[Busta Rhymes]], with whom N.O.R.E. has collaborated several times in the past, stated on his Twitter account that he had officially signed N.O.R.E. to his newly founded record label [[Conglomerate Records]].<ref name="twitter1">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BusaBusss/status/84459854676242433 |title=Twitter |publisher=Twitter |access-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref> N.O.R.E. has since launched his own label imprint, Militainment Business.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langhorne |first=Cyrus |url=http://www.sohh.com/2011/06/busta_rhymes_clears_up_nore_situation_i.html |title=Busta Rhymes Clears Up N.O.R.E. Situation, "I Didn't Really Sign Him" (Video) |publisher=Sohh.Com |date=June 26, 2011 |access-date=October 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109012001/http://www.sohh.com/2011/06/busta_rhymes_clears_up_nore_situation_i.html |archive-date=November 9, 2012 }}</ref>

Between 2009 and 2011, N.O.R.E. teamed up with [[DJ EFN]] to host a satellite radio show for Sirius XM called Militainment Crazy Raw Radio, a title that gave equal weight to N.O.R.E.'s Militainment brand, EFN's Crazy Hood, and 66 Raw, the channel on Sirius XM which carried the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://57thave.com/?p%3D377 |title=Militainment Crazy Raw Radio on Hip-Hop Nation &#124; 57thAve |access-date=September 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192458/http://57thave.com/?p=377 |archive-date=January 2, 2014 }}</ref>

In early 2013, N.O.R.E. stated that he would yet again change his [[moniker]], this time to P.A.P.I. (Acronym for '''P'''ower '''A'''lways '''P'''roves '''I'''ntelligence),<ref name=":0" /><ref name=p.a.p.i.>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/nore-changes-his-name-to-papi |title=N.O.R.E. Changes His Name to P.A.P.I. |publisher=Complex |date=January 4, 2013 |access-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref> which stirred mixed reactions from his fans. On April 16, he released ''[[Student of the Game]]'' and announced a sequel would be released as his next album.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Roman |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23652/title.n-o-r-e-a-k-a-p-a-p-i-reveals-plans-for-student-of-the-game-2- |title=N.O.R.E. (a/k/a P.A.P.I.) Reveals Plans For "Student Of The Game 2" |publisher=HipHop DX |date=April 20, 2013 |access-date=October 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002020618/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23652/title.n-o-r-e-a-k-a-p-a-p-i-reveals-plans-for-student-of-the-game-2- |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On September 27, 2013, N.O.R.E. told MTV that his next album, ''Melvin Flynt II: Da Final Hustle'', would be his final album. He stated he planned to stop touring and releasing solo albums to focus on being a music executive and CEO.<ref name="xxlmagii">{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/n-o-r-e-says-will-focus-ceo-next-lp-melvin-flynt-ii-da-final-hustle/ |title=N.O.R.E. Says He Will Focus On Being CEO After Next LP 'Melvin Flynt II: Da Final Hustle' - XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=September 28, 2013 |access-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref> On October 30, 2015, he tweeted: "New and last album in July!!!",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noreaga/status/660275317299376128 |title=N.O.R.E on Twitter: "New and last album In July !!!" |publisher=Twitter |access-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> followed by "''Melvin Flynt 2''? Or ''N.O.R.E. 2''?".<ref name="xxlmagii"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noreaga/status/660277006538555392 |title=N.O.R.E on Twitter: "Melvin flynt 2? Or N.O.R.E 2?" |publisher=Twitterm |access-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> By July 2016, it appeared the rapper had abandoned his plan for retirement as he continued making music. 

N.O.R.E. reunited with DJ EFN to begin hosting the "Drink Champs" podcast in March 2016. Celebrity hip-hop guests are featured in most episodes, sharing stories and updates while drinking alcohol. The podcast has achieved more than five million listens per month. Since November 2016, the show has been aired on [[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schwindt|first=Oriana|date=November 17, 2016|title='Drink Champs' Podcast Coming to Diddy's Revolt TV Network (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/drink-champs-podcast-diddy-revolt-tv-1201920571/|access-date=July 1, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2017, N.O.R.E. signed with [[Nas]]' [[Mass Appeal Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Estevez|first=Marjua|date=September 20, 2017|title=N.O.R.E. On Signing With Mass Appeal And Reviving Friendship With Nas (Watch)|url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/noreaga-mass-appeal-deal-nas-539383/|access-date=July 1, 2021|website=Vibe|language=en-US}}</ref> He released his seventh album, ''5E'', in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last= WALLACE|first=RILEY|date=July 30, 2018|title=REVIEW: N.O.R.E. KEEPS IT AVERAGE ON "5E"|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3208/title.review-n-o-r-e-keeps-it-average-on-5e|access-date=July 1, 2021|website=HIPHOPDX|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Legal issues==
On February 24, 2009, N.O.R.E. was arrested at a [[Fatburger]] restaurant in [[Miami Beach, FL]], after a fight with a customer.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

==Discography==
{{main|N.O.R.E. discography|C-N-N discography}}
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[N.O.R.E. (album)|N.O.R.E.]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler]]'' (1999)
* ''[[God's Favorite (album)|God's Favorite]]'' (2002)
* ''[[N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe ]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Noreality]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Student of the Game]]'' (2013)
* ''[[5E (album)|5E]]'' (2018)

==Video game appearances==
The rapper appears as himself and is a playable character in the video games ''[[Def Jam Vendetta]]'' (2003) and its 2004 sequel ''[[Def Jam: Fight for NY]]''.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/4617-Noreaga N.O.R.E.] on [[Discogs]]
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070427164328/http://www.conspiracyblog.net/ N.O.R.E. Feb 2010 UK radio Interview (CWR Radio)]}}

{{N.O.R.E.}}
{{Capone-N-Noreaga}}
{{Def Jam Recordings}}
{{Roc-A-Fella Records}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:N.O.R.E.}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male rappers]]
[[Category:American musicians of Puerto Rican descent]]
[[Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers]]
[[Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists]]
[[Category:Five percenters]]
[[Category:Rappers from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Gangsta rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]