“N.O.R.E.” by Noreaga was released on April 28, 1998, as the lead single from his eponymous debut solo album.
It marked his emergence of a solo artist poised to leave an indelible mark on the rap scene in a time when DMX, Jay Z and Snoop Dogg reigned, with posthumous arguments about who is the best MC, Tupac or Notorious B.I.G. ringing in the ear of very rap fan at the barber shops.
Noreaga, initially part of Capone-N-Noreaga, faced a pivotal moment when partner Capone was incarcerated before their debut album The War Report, release in 1997.
“N.O.R.E.” wasn’t just a song; it was a declaration of his identity as a solo artist with authority and swagger.
Produced by Poke & Tone of the Trackmasters, the song boasted a gritty, streetwise sound bleeding the essence of New York’s hip-hop street culture.
The arresting music video directed by Diane Martel, set against the backdrop of gritty urban streets, the video depicted Noreaga navigating a world of danger and intrigue. Cameo appearances from fellow rap heavyweights like Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe added to the video’s allure, further cementing “N.O.R.E.” as a cultural touchstone of the era.
“N.O.R.E.” was included in the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories in 2005after peaking at #59 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #32 on the Hot Rap Songs charts.
N.O.R.E. (Niggas On The Run Eating) the debut solo studio album was released three months later on July 7, 1998, via Penalty Recordings, which was acquired by their distributor Tommy Boy Records a year later. The album was recorded across various studios including Criteria Studios in Miami, The Hit Factory, Electric Lady Studios, The Cutting Room, and Right Track Recording in New York, Bearsville Studios, and House Of Hits. Production credits feature an impressive lineup including Trackmasters, L.E.S., Curt Gowdy, Dame Grease, DJ Clue?, EZ Elpee, Ken “DURO” Ifill, Marley Marl, Nashiem Myrick, SPK, Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes, and J “Waxx” Garfield. Guest appearances include Musaliny-N-Maze, Nature, Big Pun, Busta Rhymes, Cam’ron, Carl Thomas, Chico DeBarge, Jadakiss, Kid Capri, Kool G Rap, Nas, Spliff Star, and Styles P.
It debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with first-week sales of 165,000 copies, N.O.R.E. was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on September 15, 1998, for selling 500,000 copies. The album’s biggest hit single, “Superthug,” peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.
Notably, the track “The Change” gained renewed attention when then-underground rapper 50 Cent freestyled over its instrumental.
