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Capone-N-Noreaga (also known as C-N-N) is an American hip hop duo, composed of East Coast rappers Capone and Noreaga.
In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column. In 1996, before the group’s debut album was completed, Capone was imprisoned for a parole violation, and Noreaga finished the debut album, The War Report, with the help of various other QB/NY hip-hop acts. The album was met with critical and commercial acclaim; it saw the group partake in the conflict between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Entertainment, making it a more widespread East Coast/West Coast rivalry, responding to Tha Dogg Pound's single " New York, New York" with its own "L.A L.A"
In 2000, the group released its sophomore effort, The Reunion, on Tommy Boy Records. The album was similarly star-studded, but suffered from mixed reviews. Additionally, Capone was once again sent to prison before its release for violating a probation sentence on gun possession, which undermined promotion of the album. Soon after, in 2001, Capone-n-Noreaga jumped ship to prominent label Def Jam. As Tommy Boy retained the rights to the names Capone-n-Noreaga and Noreaga because the company claimed that the duo owed it more recordings, the group shortened its name to CNN, and Noreaga billed himself as N.O.R.E. (or NORE) for his solo work. The duo recorded a new album in 2003 called What up 2 Da Hood, with a lead single, "Yes, Sir," which was issued on mixtapes and promoted by a video. The single failed to make an impact, and the album was shelved. It was released later in 2004 as a mixtape (What Up 2 Da Hood Thugged Out).
In the same year, the duo found itself implicated in a non-fatal shooting between rival hip-hop groups, one of which included emcee Lil' Kim, after a chance encounter outside New York radio station Hot 97. Capone-n-Noreaga have denied any involvement in the shooting, for which the group was not charged. In early 2005, Def Jam released Capone from his contract while retaining NORE; Capone released his debut album, Pain, Time, and Glory, in the same year.
In 2006, N.O.R.E. brought up the possibility of a Capone-n-Noreaga reunion and a new album. CNN released Channel 10 on March 17, 2009, taking the name from a song off The War Report. Channel 10 is put together with the assistance of long time friend DJ EFN. The first single off their third studio album is titled "Rotate" which was produced by Ron Browz and features Ron Browz & Busta Rhymes. DJ Premier, Havoc, and The Alchemist--among others—provided production for the album. A sequel album of to "War Report" was released the following year to slight fanfare. At that point, the duo recalibrated and decided to return to focusing on solo efforts.
In June 2011, N.O.R.E. stated on his Twitter account that the group had disbanded and that he would continue to focus on his solo career. In March 2013, N.O.R.E. and Capone called into radio personality, Sway Calloway's morning radio show, to annouce they had once again reunited.
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