It’s been five years removed since Lefrak City legend N.O.R.E. dropped his star-studded Student Of The Game LP. Shortly afterward, he announced that his next album would be his last — as he was going to focus more attention on being an executive, rather than a solo artist.
Two years later, he began teasing the release of his final album, which was set to be a sequel to either Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler or his debut, N.O.R.E. Three years later, the Drink Champ went with neither, releasing 5E. (Which makes 2016’s Drunk Uncle completely obsolete.)
The relatively concise 11-song LP has a host of features, though the tracklist is a more predictable considering the line-ups on some of his past projects. N.O.R.E. seems cognizant of his age, legacy, and audience. He has an ear for beats (do remember, he was one of the first to rock with The Neptunes) and while there isn’t a “Nothin'”-type streambreaker here, the Fabolous featured “Big Chain” with its large, orchestral, vocal sample, and both Fat Joe collaborations (but more so “Don’t Know”) give this project some weight.
The-Dream-assisted — and produced — “Woof” is another example of N.O.R.E.’s ability to choose unique soundscapes to navigate. However, the flip side of the coin is that the Queens-native isn’t quite as entertaining as his. “Woof” especially is littered with lazy wordplay, as is the very mid “She’s Mine” featuring an unexciting Tory Lanez appearance.
When he is up, he can still jump high, though. The weed smoking anthem “LaLa” featuring Wyclef, Jadakiss, and Phokus (who doubles as the producer) is an absolute banger, and he takes on an age-appropriate OG role on “No Reason” alongside Sevyn Streeter. Over an obvious attempt to duplicate the magic of “I Love My Life” (off of his debut), he criticizes an internet obsessed generation of Twitter-finger tough guys who pull out their phone to record a tragedy rather than help save a life.
“Parade” featuring Kent Jones and Yung Reallie, produced by Swizz Beatz is another example of him catching his stride. “This is my parade, and I deserve it,” he raps, noting that his current status (20 years into his career) is one he couldn’t have pictured back in the day on the block. It’s a sentiment he visits a few times — like in the opening 8 bars of “Uno Mas.”
Ultimately, 5E, which is N.O.R.E.’s first foray with Nas’ Mass Appeal label just kind of … is. His approach to song structure both highlights his time-tested skill set and his age, as it’s largely dated in its execution. Outside of “Don’t Know,” which found its way onto the Madden 2019 soundtrack, there isn’t much competitively current material to be enjoyed.
Hopefully, when N.O.R.E. does hang it up, it’s on a higher note.
[apple_news_ad type=”standard”]
I disagree. This shit is fire
u wilding 1996 flows and beats
Back when artists pushed their talent!
Can’t trust the opinion of a Canadian vegetarian lol.
Noreaga has never been that good of an MC, he just got a pass ’cause he hanged with the Queensbridge cats. Now this album, is a whole ‘nother level of of garbage, dude got some nursery rhymes over awful production. This album sounds so bad you’d think it’s a parody if you didn’t know better. Hang it up Nore.
I liked most of the album.
I told the soldier hold the work just another second for me..?
I expected a lot more out of this N.O.R.E. honestly feel like the time he took off doing his other things really took away from his music. That or he is just over making music, sometimes people gotta fall back when they got a good legacy and catalog. N.O.R.E. should just focus on his other veture he’s doing well.
Got about 4 hot joints on this album which is the same number of hot tracks on Drake’s album.
This album is straight garbage. Nore has been getting a pass for years. Funny and likeable dude outside of the music though.
Horrible…
this album was horrendous and full of dumpster juice. if this is Noreaga’s last album, it is terrible way to go out. he mention on the Breakfast club yesterday that soon as he heard Pusha T’s LP Daytona he went straight to the studio and recorded this album fast.
Huge disappointment. I even set the bar low for him..smh
I don’t really care for any N.O.R.E solo albums to be honest, but The War Report is always going to be in my top20 albums of all time, such a sick classic
I like the Album. I think its a nice work. its not commercial music for radio but its going in my personal listening library.
that is a good way to put it. The album was just okay and you’re right.. def not for commercial purposes.
this seems like a bias reView from someone concerned with satisfying the current hip hop fans. he’s not for them
I listened to the album with no expectations. I am a “old head” and found the album to be just okay – and that is fine. He definitely produced an album in relation to his age and the era he came from. It was interesting to see so many features. At the end of the day, he makes music for him, as all artist do. In one sense I appreciate that he kept true to what he does and didnt evolve to the current state of hip hop but on the other hand it would’ve been interesting to see if he could evolve to the current state of hip hop and still brought the heat.
Wack beats again ! Ain’t made anything worth talking about since NORE and The Reunion. I’ll stick to drink champs for now !
Student of the Game had some bangers though! Built Pyramids and Vitamins were dope as fuck!
“YEAH…HE SMELL LIKE PORK LIKE KERMIT THE FROG FINGERS”
“SINCE STRANGE FRUIT U AND I RECORDIONS”
CLASSIC!!!!!!
NORE – VITAMINS (PROD. BY PETE ROCK)
“Let me be great” is the only track I’ve picked up from that album. That’s a banger for me. I also like the track where he speaks about his dad, but the beat is not on point like the rest of the album. He has a big voice, but no, he doesn’t have an ear for beats in my opion. If he had, I would have picked more tracks for my playlist.
HOT ALBUM!
Damn I thought it was fire, 4/5 for me
4 another banger!!!