N.O.R.E might be one of Hip Hop’s most prominent figures, but regardless of his own fame he’s always made it a point to give other stars of the culture their flowers.
Amazon released its new mini-doc Hip-Hop X Siempreearlier this month, which explores the intersection between Latin culture and Hip Hop, with a handful of veterans talking about its history and current state.
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During a somber moment in the film, N.O.R.E. tearfully remembers his late friend and collaborator — and the first solo Latin rapper ever to go platinum — Big Pun, who sadly passed away in 2000 at the age of 28.
“Pun was probably the greatest person I ever met in life,” N.O.R.E says of the Terror Squad titan. “Not greatest Puerto Rican — the greatest person I ever met in life.”
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The Drink Champs host goes on to highlight the generosity of Pun, who would always cop gifts for N.O.R.E. whenever he was in the hood.
“I remember me and Pun both being platinum,” N.O.R.E. recalls in the doc. “And if he found out I was in the Bronx, he would buy me an Avirex and a PlayStation. And I was like, ‘Yo bro, I’m getting’ the same amount of money as you,’ but he always wanted to give.”
Elsewhere in Hip-Hop X Siempre, Fat Joe, who played a major role in elevating Pun, also fondly remembers the “Twinz” rapper’s talent. Joe was already on the come-up when the two crossed paths, yet, he put his career on hold to assist his fellow MC.
“When I met him, I knew,” Joe remembers. “I said, ‘Yo, this is it. Latinos been waiting for this guy.’ And so I put my career back and pushed him forward.”
DJ Tony Touch also takes a moment to comment on his fellow Puerto Rican. “When I first heard Big Pun, I was an instant fan,” he says.
The documentary’s intricate look into the Hip Hop tradition within the Latin community features personalities from the past all the way up to the present.
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It’s not just the deceased that N.O.R.E. shows love to. Last week, the Queens rapper surprised Nas backstage in Paris while the legendary rapper was performing overseas as part of the N.Y. State of Mind Tour.
The brotherly interaction between the two iconic artists was captured and uploaded to social media. In the video, Nas swiftly left the stage and upon walking backstage, he and N.O.R.E. slapped hands and greeted each other with a hug.
