Customer Reviews

God's Favorite

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

off the hook the beats and lyrics are slammin with satisfactional hits like "nothin'","grimey","mr. ceo", it's a hip hop classic, if you are a cnn follower you have to check out his album and listen top these tight tracks. All the people who gave this a bad review, man I don't know if you guys are really cnn fans, look at what you listen to a little alternative and country sounds like your choices. To all N.O.R.E fans get this album it is off the hook and it worth buying.

After releasing Queensbridge classics such as "LA, LA", "Illegal Life", Stick You", "T.O.N.Y." and "Closer" with partner in crime Capone, Noreaga has taken a different path with his music. N.O.R.E. has become someone that just wants to have fun and have a good time with his music. Noreaga will never be in a best lyricist Top 20 or he will never be known for his great lyrics, but he always finds a way to get your attention. That is Victor Santiago's niche in the rap game. He can always get your attention. On his debut solo CD, once "Superthug" was released to radio, you couldn't tell Noreaga anything because he had one of the hottest songs on the street and on radio. If it wasn't for this hit song, the Neptunes might not even be around today and that is the truth. Other memorable moments from his debut CD include "Banned From TV" w/Big Pun, Cam'ron, Nature & The LOX, "The Assignment" w/Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star & Maze, the first single, "N.O.R.E.", "Body In The Trunk" w/Nas, and "I Love My Life" w/Carl Thomas. On his second CD, "Melvyn Flynt- Da Hustler", it seemed Noreaga was uninspired and that his label was trying to capitalize on the success of "Superthug" to soon. Although, the first single, "Oh No" was prodcued by The Neptunes and was a success, the rest of the CD was very lackluster. Other than "Sometimes", which was a tribute to his late father, the CD was filled with filler material. Once his partner Capone returned home after being incarcerated they recorded their last CD for Tommy Boy records entitled "The Reunion". This reminded me of the Noreaga that I expected from his "War Report" days. Songs like "Bang Bang" w/Foxy Brown, "Phonetime", "Invincible" where he even admits that "Melvyn Flynt" was wack, "B EZ" w/Nas, and "Y'all Don't Wanna" were songs worth hearing from the Queens duo. Now signed to Def Jam Records, Noreaga is here for a fresh start. The switching of labels has done Noreaga some good and the results are pretty good. First of all, some of the material is outdated, the CD's official 1st single, "Grimey" was actually released on the "Violator 2" CD. The Neptunes drop a nasty beat and the words flow from Noreaga's voice like he has been working with The Neptunes since birth. Although many fans may be tired of hearing Noreaga over The Neptunes' beats, that's when he is at his best. The 2nd single from "God's Favorite", "Nothin'" is another Neptunes track and is definitely all over radio and the club scene at this time. He won't win any points for originality, but this formula seems to work. "Live My Life" w/Ja Rule was supposed to be the 2nd single but after receiving a lukewarm reception from radio stations, Def Jam decided to go back to the drawing board, which was smart. "Nothin'" will definitely get Noreaga the gold plaque that he is accustomed to getting. Other noteworthy tracks include, "Full Mode", which will definitely be the next single after "Nothin" wears out its welcome, "Head Bussa", the remix of the Swizz Beats track, "Nahmeanuheard" w/Cam'ron, Fat Joe, Cassidy & Capone, "Black Clouds" and "Mr. CEO". I agree with reviewer anthony humphrey on his opinions about the song "Big D". This song was just a bad idea and probably just a way to get Akinyele on the CD. We don't need to hear Noreaga spit Spice channel type rhymes. Other filler tracks include "Wanna Be Like Him" w/Mashonda and "Banned From Another Club". "Consider This" w/Kelis has a catchy beat but the song is ruined when Noreaga starts talking about his "merry mack, all dressed in black". I mean, how unoriginal is that. "Love Ya Moms" was a good idea and is a good track, altogether. Overall, Noreaga has definitely showed improvement since his last solo offering. After a Def Jam Capone N Noreaga CD, Noreaga might have somethiing for us the fourth time around. He needs to improve on his subject matter but as long as he has good producers around him, he will always make some kind of impact on the rap game. Also, check out Track 19, "The Life Of A... (Gangsta)", the bonus track with Capone & Chinky. It is worth listening to. I actually rate this CD 3 and a half stars, but if you're not a fan of Noreaga then of course your rating will be lower than mine.

James' Top 5

1. Grimey
2. Nothin'
3. Full Mode
4. Live My Life w/ Ja Rule
5. Nahmeanuheard (Remix) w/Capone, Cam'ron, Fat Joe & Cassidy

Really, I Don't Understand why this cd has sold only 300/400K copies... it's a very good cd.... "Full Mode" is a bomb.... "Nothin", "Head Bussa", the Swizz Beatz joint "Nahmeanuheard" & the remix ft. cam'ron, fat joe et cassidy...
Really, i don't understand...

This CD is much better than the mediocre Melvyn Flynt, Nore's last solo effort. However, Nore could still do better. But, overall, this is a very solid CD and better than most of the stuff out there now. Top tracks are Grimey, Nahmeanuheard, Love Ya Moms, Banned from Another Club, Nahmeanuheard Remix, and The Life of A. Mr. CEO, Head Bussa, Live My Life, and Black Clouds are also solid songs. Production is done by some big names, including Kyze, The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Irv Gotti, SPK, LES, and Yogi. Big names also appear as guests, including Ja Rule, Musaliny, Maze, Gold, Troy Outlaw, Final Chapter, Kelis, Camron, Fat Joe, and Cassidy. Of course partner Capone makes appearances too, although I was surprised and disappointed that Capone only appears on 3 tracks. Overall, a very solid album, but I think Nore could still do better.

I was dying for this album to come out. It was suppose to be out in December, then February then July, then moved up to June. I like the album. It disappoints a little because it seems like N.O.R.E. is getting lazy with his lyrics and flows. The tracks by Swizz Beats, EZ-Elippe, and the Neptunes make the album listenable. He needs Capone by his side. Capone is the better of the duo CNN. This album is good to have.