Victor Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977 in Queens, New York ), better known by his stage name N.O.R.E, is an American rapper, one half of hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga and founder of Thugged Out Militainment. He released his debut album, N.O.R.E., in 1998 under the name Noreaga and then released his second album Melvin Flynt - Da Hustler in 1999 also under this name. In 2001 he was forced to change his stage and recording name to N.O.R.E. after