N.O.R.E. - Crack On Steroids Review

Whether coincidental happenstance or a blatant step towards career longevity, many of Hip Hop's long established emcees evolve into crafty chameleons, blending into multiple environments so as to increase their visibility and chances of omnipresence. LeFrak City's Noreaga is one such character, recognized amongst New York's most iconic rap figures as the outlandish counterpart to partner Capone and a riveting solo act since the late '90s. N.O.R.E. has become a cultural mainstay largely due to taking pages from the books of East Coast legends such as Jay-Z and the Notorious B.I.G. with a duality reaching street toughs and party goers alike. No stranger to grandiose imagery, the title of his latest release Crack On Steroids symbolizes the unpredictability that plays companion to his persona....full text Remaining relevant in the rap game for a decade and a half is not a simple task. Offering refreshing EPs and mixtapes in addition to a steady stream of group and solo albums has helped N.O.R.E. achieve that feat. Last year, he dropped The N.O.R.E.aster EP in April and the Scared Money in December. Now, the Queens native has put out his mixtape Crack On Steroids with DJ Green Lantern, almost five years after they put out Cocaine On Steroids.

The tape’s opening track, “Kenny Powers,” hints at what’s to come: vintage gritty bars stirred into intoxicating beats that result in a pot of songs containing solid, though not always innovate, street anthems and more (The hook on the opener follows the formula that Drake, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj and others beat into the ground last year: “I got that disrespectful white, Kenny Powers”). The New York MC produces more block bangers with records like “I Got That Yay,” “Talk 2 Em” featuring Gunplay, “Thiz iz Hip-Hop,” “R.E.A.L. (Remember Everybody Ain’t Loyal)” and “My Alias” with longtime partner in rhyme Capone....full text