Friday

Music

Chillin’ With Capone & Noreaga

I’ll be honest – Last night was amazing! I was on the phone with two incredibly talented people from the Hip-Hop industry Capone and Noreaga – but the Noreaga part was totally unexpected! I did my ‘phoner’ with Capone and out of nowhere, Noreaga jumps on the line – totally unexpected and totally shocking – asking me about my day at work and my weekend plans! All I’ve got to say is the highlight of my week was interviewing the dynamic duo, CNN: Capone-N-Noreaga.

CNN – better known as Capone-N-Noreaga – are two of the biggest Hip-Hop acts to come forth from the East Coast. Both Capone and Noreaga grew up in the housing projects of Queens, New York, with their first meeting happening in 1992, while on kitchen duty in jail. It was in 1996 that this amazing duo released their debut album titled, War Report. However, before the album was released, Capone was sent back to jail, leaving Noreaga to finish it on his own. War Report is known for its incredible production by names such as Lord Finesse, Clark Kent, Havoc of Mobb Deep, and many other celebrated producers. With the positive feedback after War Report was released, the inevitable duo, CNN, was slowly growing into a household name in the Hip-Hop scene.

You and N.O.R.E first met in jail and then decided to form a group. Did you really think it’d be successful?
Capone: I actually didn’t, you feel me? I thought it was gonna be an underground group, but then when people started feelin’ us we started gainin’ confidence and the records came out. We have a classic album, like Nas and Jay, and they mention War Report, good shit.

A lot of people always want to bring light to your relationship with N.O.R.E. There have always been rumors about beef between the two of you. What’s your relationship with him now?
Capone: Nah, that’s my brother man, ya know it’s all good baby. We havin’ the best time of our lives right now.
Noreaga: I kinda like the rumors. I embrace it because I know what I can do and how we stand. It’s beautiful to have rumors out there; we’re seen together and that’s the dopest part about it and I always say there’s no beef. We do albums and photo shoots together. It’s just a rumor.

Norega I’ve gotta get sidetracked for a minute, I was just listening to “Oye Mi Canto” featuring you and Daddy Yankee, in the car. What was it like to work with him?
Noreaga: He was doin’ his thing in Puerto Rico and not known in the US. We got together and I had an idea; he felt my idea and he got my vision. I brought in Nina Sky, and ever since then we been cool!

Okay, so back on track! Your “Capone-N-Norega” duo sold over one million albums together. Do you think you two would be able to work together to achieve such success again?
Capone: You know the market changed but we hope it would be as successful as our last album because we worked hard. We like to please the people. We don’t wanna put out phony records.

Capone, when you released War Report, there was a lot of hype around it. What was going on in your life during the time that you were writing for War Report?
Capone: I mean I actually gone through a lot. I got shot. I lost my mother. I was going to jail. A lot was going through my life, and it helped to make a classic album.

How did you come up with the name War Report?
Capone: At that time there was mad stuff happenin in the hood, and we turned on CNN and it was the war report, so we went with it.

After War Report, Norega and you released The Reunion. The success was phenomenal. How does it make you feel knowing that people appreciate your music and don’t let your personal issues stop them from following you?
Capone: I mean that’s the best thing when you have loyal fans, and loyal followers who follow your work and stick to your side. I got a whole bunch of fan mail and whole bunch of love and it made me a better artist. 

Did you do what you were tryin’ to do when you did Menace 2 Society?
Capone: Yeah I think I did it was a good mixtape, you know what I‘m saying? It had a lot of good joints. I’m always confident.

Now being that this is a South Asian magazine, I’ve got to throw in a little twist somewhere. You recently collaborated with artist Young Pharaoh on his track “I Am” off his mixtape Pay Attention, hosted by Big Mike. The track also featured artist Don Revo and was produced by P.NOX. What do you remember about that track and do you have any comments about it?
Capone: The track is hot. Its happening, its dope. When I got it, I was like it’s so hot and I gotta be up on it and I was happy as a mother fucker, you feel me!

I know this might sound crazy but that’s the song that put me onto you. After hearin’ it, I went back and started checkin’ for some of your other songs! Do you think that you’d collaborate with another artist in the South Asian scene, whether he’s a producer or an artist?
Capone: Yeah definitely, definitely!

What can fans expect to hear from you in the future?
Capone: Lots of new shit comin’ out!
Norega: We are workin on a CNN project right now and it’s gonna be droppin’ real shortly.

Which artists in the Hip-Hop scene are you feelin’ right now?
Capone: I’m feelin just about everything. I love Hip-Hop. I got no dislikes, you feel me?
Noreaga: I feelin Lil Wayne’s album. I think it’s one of the best albums in modern day time and I appreciate it.

How do you feel about the state of NY rap right now?
Capone: I think it’s coming back around. It’s still happening.
Noreaga: It’s doin’ its thing!

What producers would you be down to collaborate with right now?
Capone: The ones’ who got the hot beats, feel me!
Norega: Of course Dr Dre, but he’s too hard to get at!

What about other Hip-Hop artists?
Capone: I’m not sure really, I just feel like music is ours, the mind is ours, the people you wanna work with. I just wanna get this Capone and Noreaga album poppin’ and then I’ll think about whoever I wanna work with.
Noreaga: Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Dream, and that’s really is right now

Any last words for the readers?
Capone: Go get the album it’s gonna be crazy! It’s a crazy album. Check the video for “My Hood” with Clipse, Nore, and me.
Noreaga: Thanks ma for the time. To the fans, thanks for showin’ us the love and support. Check out the video and new tracks droppin’ soon!