Capone-N-Noreaga — The War Report
The War Report is as “New York” as it gets, from the street tales to the producers who worked on the album, which include the likes of Lord Finesse, Havoc and Marley Marl. A great album during a great time, and run for New York musically.
Capone-N-Noreaga (CNN)
Capone (left) and Noreaga (Right)
New York City is the mecca of Hip-Hop and the 1980s saw a pool of talented rappers come out from the likes of Rakim, Slick Rick and Big Daddy Kane. All releasing albums that would go on to become important and iconic albums within the genre. By the turn of the 1990s, the West Coast grew to dominate with the success of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg from Death Row. Fortunately for New York, the city would gain a renaissance with acts like Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan and Nas, and by the late 1990s New York City would again become the main focal point of Hip-Hop. Capone-N-Noreaga’s 1997 debut album, The War Report, is one of the great albums that came out during New York’s second run at the top.
Released in the summer of 1997, the duo released one of the most “New York” albums of all time. Filled with dark and gritty production from great East Coast producers, such as Lord Finesse, Havoc from Mobb Deep and the legendary Marley Marl. Both Capone and Noreaga rap verses that are raw and honest about the inner streets, during a time where Bad Boy and Puffy were ruling the airwaves with their shiny suit era. There is nothing pretty nor polished with The War Report, similar to the likes of Mobb Deep’s The Infamous and Hell on Earth, CNN didn’t opt for R&B influences and chose to remain with a grimey sound.
The album’s first song, “Bloody Money”, sets the tone of the album. A true indicator that the listener is in for a dark ride. Performed solely by Noreaga, the track’s producer EZ Elpee provides haunting keys for Noreaga to rap over. Filled with threats of violence and life in crime. From then on the album goes on a formidable run, with back to back great songs. We hear some of the album's best production on the first six songs, minus the intro. "Parole Violators" is one of the album's best songs, produced by Mobb Deep's Havoc, it features verses from Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi. It consists of Noreaga's best verse on the album, as he lyrically shines bright with rhyming.
"Live On Live Long" is one of the greatest Hip-Hop records about friendship. It's an ode from Noreaga to Capone. During the recording of the album Capone was incarcerated, which led to Noreaga finishing the album by himself. With "Live On Live Long", Noreaga creates a records shouting out his partner. As the chorus is a particular highlight of the song, with the lyrics being "so if ya heart stop beating I’ll go back in time, make your heart beat again real ni**as till the end".
Another highlight off the album, a song that comes with notoriety is "L.A, L.A." featuring Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi. A direct response to The Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg's classic single "New York, New York", where in the music video all three rappers are seen kicking down buildings in New York. "L.A., L.A." represented CNN, Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi coming to the aid and support of New York, during the height of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.
There are some weak spots on the album, thankfully not too many, however they do exist. "Thug Paradise" is a record that switches up from the dark and gritty production to a more upbeat production style. Though I respect the change and understand the desire for it, personally for me it's undesired as I preferred the darker instrumentals. "Thug Paradise" also doesn't sound up to par with the quality of the other records on the album, as it sounds too raw and unmastered. "Capone Bone" produced by Marley Marl and solely performed by Capone is about Capone's attraction and relationship with a girl. A decent record with a great beat from Marley Marl, it does however seem like a song they forced to be on the album. As if they had to make a smoother record about a girl. In my opinion it's a song that could have been left out, as it just doesn't fit well with the album.
The worst song on the whole album, and the most pointless one is "Capone-N-Noreaga Live". Not sure whether to call it talking, rapping or just chanting for close to three minutes with no beat or instrumental. Completely unnecessary and annoying, there's not even crowd noise in the background to even say that this is a live song. Thankfully, the album does finish strongly with "Illegal Life" and "Black Gangstas", with both songs being particular highlights towards the latter stages of the album.
Besides the weaker spots on the album, The War Report is a great LP. I don't believe it's a classic album, however I don't say that with disrespect. Some albums from the past can be great without being labelled as a classic. I would definitely encourage any Hip-Hop fan to go and listen to this album. The production on the album, especially in the beginning of the project, is phenomenal. The beats alone can tell a story. Though Capone was incarcerated during the production of the album, and Noreaga had to finish the album himself, still by far Noreaga is the standout rapper and MC on the album. Soon gaining his own solo success with his debut album N.O.R.E. a year later in 1998.