[Si] TV

Nore is a long way from Lefrak City, one of Queens, NY’s most infamous housing projects. The animated rapper, born Victor Santiago, now resides in sunny Miami. You would think Miami’s vices would have further sparked the reggaeton bid Nore began serving after his smash 2004 hit, “Oye Mi Canto.” Not quite. Palm tree sceneries have somehow channeled drunken nights in front of bodegas and Nore’s pen is once again ready for some street reporting. While fellow Q-Boro rappers like Nas and 50 Cent have returned to their old stomping grounds to recapture some gritty inspiration, Nore contends that the MIA has proven more inspirational than the Rotten Apple. “The place that helps me write is Miami,” Nore explained to [Sí] Entertainment. “The weed is pretty good out here, it helps me write faster. In New York, I can start writing and won’t get back to the record until two, three days later. Here, I just get it done.”

Nore’s recording process has proven so fruitful that he already has several projects on deck: Noreality, his current release via Babygrande Records, Global Warming 11368 another rap album debuting later this year, and a long awaited C-N-N album with his longtime partner in rhyme, Capone. Though Noreality is heralded as Santiago’s rap comeback, he’s quick to downplay it and assure everyone he hasn’t gone anywhere. “Actually I never left rap,” Nore offers. “I was trying to be involved with reggaeton. I was trying to be involved to help bring it to the masses. By the time it blew up, I took pride in that.”

Nore did however leave Def Jam. After releasing 2002’s God’s Favorite on hip-hop’s most storied label and later to one of its imprints the now-defunct Roc La Familia (2006’s N.O.R.E Y La Familia…Ya Tú Sabe) Nore thought it was time to move on. “I believe that Jay-Z is a very smart man; I have nothing bad to say about him. We’re still very cool. I just wasn’t able to sit around and wait for anybody,” Nore revealed about his departure. “I’m pretty big on being focused and getting the job done. He was busy doing his thing, recording his album. To tell the truth, every meeting I had with Jay went well.”

Noreality marks a new chapter for Nore. Independence—free of any major label hassle! Yet, with guest appearances and production by the likes of Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Three 6 Mafia, Jadakiss, Styles P and Alchemist, the LP is poised to trump the average indie release. Whatever he’s doing reggaeton or rap, you can still expect Nore to tap into his roots.

“I’ma always speak a little Spanglish. Mention a little food, that’s just me. I’m a Spanish [dude]. I’m a Niggarican,” Nore assures. “On this album, it’s not gonna be no reggaeton. It’s strictly to get back to my roots, strictly for the Nore fans, the C-N-N fans. I just wanted to get back to what the people know me for.”