Capone-N-Noreaga

Capone-N-Noreaga, often abbreviated C-N-N, is a legendary East Coast hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York City, consisting of Capone (Kiam Holley) and Noreaga, later known as N.O.R.E. (Victor Santiago Jr.). Their name doubled as a wink at the news network, positioning them as street reporters delivering hard-edged accounts of life in their neighborhood.

Their 1997 debut album, The War Report, is considered a classic of the Queensbridge hip hop tradition, sharing sonic and thematic DNA with Mobb Deep's gritty, menacing style, and drawing vivid comparisons between their neighborhood and war-torn regions abroad. The album's impact extended internationally, notably influencing French rap acts such as Unité 2 Feu. Capone's incarceration during much of this period complicated the group's early momentum, and their follow-up, The Reunion, arrived after his release.

The duo's catalog includes tracks like «T.O.N.Y. (Top of New York)», «Invincible» and «Bloody Money», cementing their reputation for hard-hitting, atmospheric street narratives. Despite periods of inactivity tied to Capone's legal troubles, C-N-N remain one of the most respected and influential duos to emerge from the Queensbridge hip hop scene of the late 1990s.