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Now that Student of the Game is officially out and being met to positive reviews, N.O.R.E. continues his press run with accomplished journalist Shaheem Reid on the latest installment of Life + Times series The Roundup. The “Superthug” MC was extremely candid in the sit down, discussing everything from making legendary hits with Pharrell to how hip-hop saved his life.

Anyone familiar with the C-N-N rapper’s story knows that he was about that life as a teen. “I was actually 17-years-old coming out of jail. My family had moved to Seattle, Washington during the time I was incarcerated, so I had six months to get a job, literally, or they would send me out to Seattle,” recalled the Queens native.

Hip-Hop became that job, and N.O.R.E. says he’s never gone back to dealing drugs since.

Those were the humble beginnings of a career that spawned albums like C-N-N’s The War Report and solo efforts N.O.R.E. and Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler, many of which are considered classics. Fans would argue that this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of The Neptunes.

“‘Superthug’ is my favorite me and Pharrell, Neptune collaboration because it’s the first,” said N.O.R.E., who says each of his collabs with the Virginia producer were special.

He even makes mention to their hit record “Nothin’,” which they changed last minute to be more woman friendly. Hear N.O.R.E. discuss this and more in the full interview below.

Photo: YouTube