Victor Santiago, better known as Noreaga, or more recently N.O.R.E., has been in the rap business for a long time now. When he first started N.O.R.E. was part of the popular rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga, with fellow rapper Kiam “Capone” Holley, whom he met while they were both serving prison sentences.
However, after a few years together, Capone ended up in prison again and Noreaga was left to fend for himself in the harsh industry of rap music. There was not much for him to do except continue rapping as a solo artist, always representing his black heritage. He released a few solo albums and worked with artists such as Nas, Jay-Z, and Foxy Brown, among others.
Last year, N.O.R.E. was able to finally accomplish something that he had been wanting to do for a few years: he released a reggaeton song, entitled Oye Mi Canto/i> which featured Reggaeton artists Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderon, Gem Star, Big Mato, and Nina Sky.
This career move came as a shock to devoted fans of N.O.R.E.’s rapping, as well as the many people who listen to Reggaeton. By finally representing his Latin side, however, N.O.R.E. was able to turn out a major hit, and has since been asked to appear on The Chosen Few: El Documental album as well as on countless amounts of Reggaeton remixes to songs from Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and many other well-known Reggaeton artists.
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In a lot of these songs, and many interviews as well, N.O.R.E. can be heard saying that he is the person who is helping bring Reggaeton music into mainstream America. Can the popularity that Reggaeton has received in the U.S. be attributed to the recent work of an American rapper? Or is it the many years of persistence from Reggaeton veterans that has brought this genre of music into the homes of Americans?
Only one thing is for sure: no matter who is responsible for it, Reggaeton music is gaining more and more popularity in the U.S. as each day passes.
