Nore - Gods Favorite (19 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Not the old Noreaga

Rule | Canada | 07/26/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Noreaga is one of my favourite rappers, But I feel he really fell of on this album. His previous two solo albums have been classics, but this was not impressive at all. Maybe its the chance to defjam, maybe its cuz I dont like the lead single. Noreaga isnt devling into new issues, and he isnt even providing basic entertaiment. Given that critisim their were still two tracks I felt that were nice "Love ya Moms" has alot of heart to it, and is a good song. And the last track by Capone, forgot the name, it was pretty ill too. Though both tracks are with Capone. Maybe Nore isnt as hungry anymore, maybe Im just not into atm, whatever it is, I still will check out his next album, and look forward to Capones upcoming debut album."

Noreaga can't flow anymore.......

Sean Cagney | woodbridge, va United States | 07/16/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"He is not near the old Noreaga of the War Report and it is getting worse with each album he drops. His beats alone can make a good album worth listening to, but his lyrics are lazy like someone else said, he just doesn't really say anything on the microphone anymore that moves me (He says alot of stupid things for that matter). If you like commercialism with no real meaning to the lyrics you will enjoy this album because of the beats, but the lyrics are just blah. He needs Capone by his side on every album now, he is the best one out of the two and has some really tight thugged out lyrics. With Capone and other guests he is listenable, but with him and some whack guests on the albums I just can't bare it, period."

Very Good

Anthony Humphrey | Manhattan | 07/02/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Noreaga, has been around for a long time in the music industry. Weither he was recorded as a duo or with rapper Capone, Noreaga was never a serious force in hip hop until now. His first Def Jam Records release, is -=God's Favorite=-, the cocky, conceted title that has already spawned 2 of summer's most successful club smashes. N.O.R.E. (as he is often referred as) brings it hard with possible cross-over smashes and club bangers, without compromising his street credibility.Noreaga drops clever one liners as he breezes over hip hop's hottest production and backdrops so far this year. The album starts off with 3 of the singles already released from this album: "Grimey" (the album's first single for its original release date in December), "Nahmeanuheard" (the album's promotional single) & "Nothing" [featuring Pharallel of alternative band N.E.R.D.] (the album's official single). The album stumbles for a second on "Big D" (which featues "My Neck My Back" artist Khia), but quickly slides into the album's hottest numbers, the Ja Rule laced "Live My Life" & the album's hottest track (and the possibly the years' hottest track) "Full Mode".From there it slides into "Love Ya Moms" which again shows a softer side of Noreaga without compromising his thugged out image. The track is a posse cut, featuring Capone, Musaliny-N-Maze, Gold Oro & The Complexions. The Neptune's production shows up on another track "Head Bussa" again featuring Pharallel Williams of N.E.R.D. By this time in the album, I realize that there is 26 guest artists on 19 tracks, which is the album's biggest downfall. "Banned From another Club" is a crazy party joint, and the guest spot from Final Chapter is hot. "Now I Pray" is a hot song with Mussolini and is very street, and then another guest spot comes from Kelis on "Consider This", but she is always at her best and the hook is catchy so this one is welcomed.Some of hip hop's hottest (Fat Joe, Cam'Ron & Capone) show up on "Nahmeanuheard" (remix). I love how Noreaga included the remix on the album, because most of the time the remix is hotter then the original and is only released on radio and underground mixtapes. Noreaga proves that he is wise well beyond his years and the progression that he has made since his debut in 1996 is clearly evident. God's Favorite is one of rap's standout albums this year. Noreaga puts all his best efforts together and releases an album full of anthems for any kind of fan. This is an album that you will hear blasting out the cars of countless hip hop fans in urban areas around the world, so if you are in that catigory, make sure you scoop this one up, because you will be the only person not to have it. I hope Noreaga continues to bring it just as hard in the future as he does on this album."

God's Favorite

David Foskin | Waterford, Ireland | 02/14/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Recognized for keeping a biography of Manuel Noriega with him at all times, the then 16 year old Victor Santiago was christened after the Panamanian General who he emulated while serving time for attempted murder. In prison he met his present day cohort Capone during bible class. He became well known in the game during a time of the media frenzied east coast, west coast dispute with his verse on "LA, LA" the response to Tha Dogg Pound's dis record "New York, New York." Later in the year Capone -N- Noreaga was signed to Tommy Boy Records and released their debut album "The War Report". Five years and three albums later, N.O.R.E. made his way from the label that he claims "sucks" to the Godfather of rap labels "Def Jam Records". Recorded in just six weeks "God's Favorite" is a return to focus for N.O.R.E. who says he wasn't focused when his last solo album "N.O.R.E." was being recorded. The album looks to be a home run with The Neptunes, Irv Gotti, and Swizz Beats conducting about half of the album's production.

The album begins in a very peculiar way with two straight intro's "Hit Me Slime" and "God's Favorite". The third track is his single and current banger "Nothing" which is one of five tracks that were produced by the super producers The Neptunes. The next song "Grimey" isn't anything new since it was on the Violator compilation but the fire that the Queens MC spits on the blazin' track and the energetic beat that The Neptunes hooked up keeps your head knockin' back and forth relentlessly. "Mr. CEO" is dedicated to none other then the CEO who won't let him eat and handle his business in the rap game because he straight out of the hood. Irv Gotti produced "Life My Life" which features Ja Rule but he only does the hook. The song isn't anything spectacular and is the first song on the album that won't provide you much replay value.

You know it isn't an album without the humor which is what N.O.R.E. is known for, but he does tone that down and switch gears on the track "Black Clouds" where N.O.R.E. displays his honesty with the people saying "I admit Melvin Flynt my soul wasn't there/recorded in the studio my mind wasn't clear/." After Black Clouds the album slides into a slump with very mediocre tracks that aren't really worth the listen. The album does in fact conclude very well with one of the highpoints from the album that is the "Nameanuheard Remix" which features Capone, Cam'Ron, Fat Joe, and Cassidy. Also the Bonus Track "The Life Of A...(Gangsta) by Capone will get Capone fans eager for his solo album.

N.O.R.E.'s "God Favorite" maybe his most focused album but it seems as it was his most un prepared work to date. The consistency and replay value of this joint just isn't on it. The lack of diversity in production from The Neptunes, Irv Gotti, and Swizz Beats, and his set of producers take away from the quality of the album. The crew love that he shows towards his Thugged Out Militant doesn't assist the album very well as it seems N.O.R.E. got sluggish with the album and just threw on filler tracks which features his crew. N.O.R.E. is better off being Noreaga with his partner Capone for group albums and not solo's. The album is good for a laugh here and there but for the most part it's just N.O.R.E. talking noise for 70 minutes.

2.5 outta' 5."

Grimeyville

J Mo | where the sun fries an egg | 02/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"NORE's album called Go's Fav is classic grimey sh*t, that you can't get anywhere else. This album is bangin' as good as NORE and Melvin Flynt, but on dis album Nore just spits raw, he's rollin' with the Vets on Def Jam. First off, let me say check out CNN's new vid "Yes Sir" it's f*ckin' slammin' off da charts. Now, about God's Fav, this album starts off good with all his boys hollering at him hit me up, it has a nice touch. Next we move to "God's Favorite" which has some dope a$$ ryhmes in it. Then the hit single off da album "Nothin'" which is one of the most bangin' songs ever heard mostly because The Neptunes produced it and NORE was sptiin' fire. "Grimey" is what NORE is all about, in this song he even says "f*ck Tommy Boy them n*ggaz just suck" f*ck yeah you go wit your bad self. Swizz Beatz produces "Nahmeanuheard" whcih has a sick a$$ beat to go wit' the lyrics, "Mr. CEO" is hot off da track with NORE spittin' all over the track. " Full Mode" is dope as hell, the production is hot the lyrics is bangin' what more could be said. " Love Ya Moms" is a phat track to put 0n a phat album, with the lyrics that are viewed on dis song. The next song that was tight was "Head Bussa" which has sick lyrics mixed w/ a little bit off some head moving beats, the follow up is " Black Clouds" which was meant as everything that has a shiny day, must also have a shady day. " Banned from Another Club" is sick, I like dat track it's funny and it's tihght to bob your head to. Fellow Thugged Out Entertainment thugs Musaliny n Maze spit some verses on " Now I pray" and "Nahmeanuheard"(remix) features some artists that are off da hook like Capone, Cam'ron and Fat Joe, also following that song is Busta and Jadakiss makin' a shout out to NORE congradulatin' him on his success. And finally, "Life of a Gangsta" is slammin' with guest apearance by Kiam (Capone) makin' this album classic grimey material."

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