N.O.R.E.
Holiday Jumpoff II
Disc One:
Blood Money III (Alternate Version) (feat. Capone) [prod. EZ Elpee]
Blood Money II (feat. Nas and Nature) [prod. Trackmasters]
Blood Money (prod. Ez Elpee)
b/w
Instrumentals

Disc Two:
Play That Shit (Remix) (feat. Big Tymers, Hot Boys, & Musoliny-N-Maze) [prod. Mannie Fresh]
Oh No (Remix) (feat. Big Punisher, Capone, Jadakiss, & Musoliny-N-Maze) [prod. The Neptunes]
b/w
Instrumentals

December 26, 2025 

Pour up some coquito and light some trees up as we get into the second installment of Noreaga's 'Holiday Jumpoff' series.

Released in 1999 to promote Noreaga's sophomore LP, Melvin Flynt - Da Hustler, this slept-on gem includes two discs of classic Queens, NY hip-hop pressed on Christmas-themed red and green translucent vinyl.

'Holiday Jumpoff II' uplifts Noreaga as one-half of Capone-N-Noreaga and highlights his solo career with exclusive remixes.

The first disc contains the illicit 'Blood Money' trilogy, including the original EZ-Elpee produced banger, Trackmasters' sitar-laced sequel featuring Nas and Nature (originally appearing on the soundtrack for the movie Ride), and a lesser-known version of 'Blood Money III' featuring Capone on the chorus.  

'Blood Money II' offers three young black artist's perspectives on life after finding success.

Victor comes through with his slower, more charismatic flow for the '98:
"...gotta get out the hood to really make it, now we cake it
Until our whole team make it to another level
Another Rolie with another bezel
Another war it's like God against another Devil
Sustainin', now we in Moschino
Niggas say we changed it, switched it
Now it's Cristal instead of Mystic".

The second disc holds some Southern-influenced heat for the icy winters in New York City.

Musoliny-N-Maze show out to bless a collaboration between Noreaga and the Cash Money Millionaires that first appeared on Melvin Flynt, bringing more thugged out vibes to Mannie Fresh's futuristic production.

The pièce de résistance of the whole jumpoff arrives as a posse remix of Noreaga's second Neptunes-produced hit, 'Oh No', introducing a trend in late-1990's hip-hop that many current reggaeton artists implement to promote popular singles.

Peep how Pun demolishes the track from start:
"I'm like science and math, flyin' past you at lightspeed
My eye to the glass, split that ass to the white meat
Warp speed, nI#$%s think I'm rappin' off-beat
'Til I land back on the track on all four feat
Think about it...".

Jadakiss blesses the flow lovely a la 'Banned From T.V.'
"Ayo Jada spit crazy new flows
Catch me Iceberg'd out with the baby-blue bows
K-I-double S, see me in the bubble S-Type
Rippin' the West Side...".

Between two 12" records of classic Queens hip-hop, 'Holiday Jumpoff II' sets it off with some of N.O.R.E.'s dopest tracks from 1998-1999. The selection and sequencing speak to his growth as an artist who was turning into one of the most popular rappers in the world.

Presently living his best life as co-creator and co-host of the pioneering culture podcast 'Drink Champs', Noreaga really came up in street life and redirected his energy to the rap game. Under the direction of original Juice Crew member Tragedy Khadafi p/k/a Intelligent Hoodlum, Noreaga's place in the legacy of Queens and ventures in other arts and entertainment make him one of the most celebrated artists in hip-hop.

Pour up a shot of tequila for N.O.R.E.!
*applause* *cheers*
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