Noreaga Didn't Know Rappers Were "Making Up Sh*t" In Their Rhymes Early On

BYErika Marie4.5K Views
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Noreage, N.O.R.E., Drink Champs
When he first started his career, N.O.R.E. claims he was unaware that his peers were exaggerating about their lives in their raps.

By now, Rap fans know that many of their favorite artists often exaggerate, sometimes heavily, when writing songs. Many who have penned rhymes about killing people, hooking up with women, dealing drugs, and other deeds haven't come close to living the lives they've spun tales about, but it has become such a staple in music that fans no longer seem to mind.

Beanie Sigel recently joined Noreaga and Co. on Drink Champs, and during their conversation, N.O.R.E. revealed that early on in his Rap career, he didn't know that his peers were embellishing the truth. "When I first came into the game, when I first started rappin', I didn't know how to exaggerate," said Noreaga. "I didn't know that other rappers were making up sh*t in they raps."

"So, a person had to tell me, 'Relax. Like, you can't be puttin' all that sh*t.'" He asked Beanie if he went through a similar struggle. "I feel like in your early sh*t, you went through the same sh*t," Noreaga added, saying that he didn't know that rhymes weren't supposed to include so much truth about an artist's life. Beanie seemed to agree. "Everything was personal... I think you supposed to still do that," said Sigel. "If you ain't going through it, at least you got knowledge firsthand or next to it. Everything is a facade now. There's no substance in it."

Siegel suggested that music is "supposed to resonate" with people and believes that truth-tellers are needed. Check out the clip of the discussion as well as the full video of their Drink Champs appearance below.


About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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