N.O.R.E. - Crack On Steroids (self-released, 2012)

The last time N.O.R.E. was a relevant artist, he was making reggaeton and tipping the scales. He’s returned to rap since then, and this new “collector’s edition” mixtape finds him rapping in a similar fashion to his glory days. Unfortunately, the music he chose to rap over leaves a lot to be desire. “Lehhgo” is the lone exception, where relative unknown Charli Brown provides Nore, Busta Rhymes, Waka, and a Nas-channeling Game with an Araabmuzik-esque banger that actually has some crossover appeal. At least, Flex should be dropping bombs on it any day now, if he hasn’t already. Aside from that, Nore also enlists Gunplay for a hook, and CNN tackle a decent modernist Just Blaze beat on “My Alias”