Biography of Kool G Rap

A key figure in the rise of the East Coast rap sound, Kool G Rap was born Nathaniel Wilson in Queens, New York on July 20, 1968; he turned to hip hop while in high school, and soon began collaborating with one DJ Polo (whom he met through mutual friend Eric Barrier, better known as one half of the legendary duo Eric B. and Rakim). Teaming with producer Marley Marl, Kool G Rap (short for "Kool Genius of Rap") and DJ Polo recorded their debut 12-inch "It's a Demo," an underground favorite which led to the release of their 1989 LP Road to Riches. After two more joint efforts, 1990's Wanted: Dead or Alive and 1992's Live and Let Die, the duo went their separate ways and Kool G Rap made his solo bow in 1995 with 4, 5, 6; he returned in 1998 with Roots of Evil, and that same year also contributed to UNKLE's all-star Psyence Fiction. ~ Jason Ankeny

Biography of Noreaga

One-half of the Queens hardcore rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga, Victor "Noreaga" Santiago met Kiam "Capone" Holley in 1992 while both were serving prison sentences. Signed to Penalty Records in 1996, the pair released a hard-hitting debut (The War Report) in June 1997, but after Holley was thrown back in jail on a parole violation, Santiago began recording a solo album. His solo debut, N.O.R.E. -- an acronym for "Niggas on the Run Eating" -- was an all-star affair, with contributions from Foxy Brown, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Jay-Z, among others. Melvin Flynt -- Da Hustler followed in 1999. His third album, God's Favorite, was delayed several times, but finally appeared in mid-2002. In 2006, he moved to the Def Jam imprint Roc la Familia and released N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe, a mostly reggaeton album featuring guest stars like Nina Sky, Big Mato, and Daddy Yankee. ~ John Bush

Biography of Musolini

No biography available