While still using the moniker Noreaga, N.O.R.E. first gained notoriety as one half of Queens duo Capone-N-Noreaga. Their debut album, War Report, was a huge success, but following Capone's incarceration, Noreaga was left to fend for himself. This would prompt the release of his hit debut album, N.O.R.E., which proved an even bigger success. The album featured "Superthug," produced by then-unknown production team The Neptunes, which would prove instrumental to their success. He also scored big in the Latino market due to his hit single "Oye Mi Canto" during the reggaetón explosion.