Kiam Akasi Holley (born February 8, 1976), better known by his stage name Capone, is an American
rapper
Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...
known as one half of the
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip-hop is a regional subgenre of hip-hop music that originated in New York City during the 1970s. Hip-hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the Bronx borough of New York City.
In contrast to other styles, East Co ...
duo
Capone-N-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga (also known as C-N-N) is an American hip hop duo formed in 1995 from Queens, New York. The duo features East Coast rappers Capone and N.O.R.E.
History
In October 1995, Capone-N-Noreaga appeared in '' The Source'' magazine's ...
(C-N-N), alongside friend and fellow rapper
N.O.R.E.
Victor James Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977), better known by his stage name, stage names N.O.R.E. (an acronym for Nigga On the Run Eating) and Noreaga, is an American rapper, singer and podcaster. Santiago first rose to prominence as one ...
Career
Holley spent some time in jail after the release of C-N-N's debut album ''
The War Report.'' When he was released, he and
N.O.R.E.
Victor James Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977), better known by his stage name, stage names N.O.R.E. (an acronym for Nigga On the Run Eating) and Noreaga, is an American rapper, singer and podcaster. Santiago first rose to prominence as one ...
recorded their second album ''
The Reunion'', but shortly after releasing the album, Capone was sent back to jail. In 2004, he recorded the single "I Need Speed", for exclusive use in the video game ''
Need for Speed: Underground 2'', which was featured on the game's soundtrack. In early 2005,
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
The l ...
released Capone from his contract while retaining Noreaga, leaving the group's status in disarray. Capone released his debut album titled ''Pain, Time & Glory'' in 2005, but it received poor sales. He also appeared on the
Ron Artest
Metta Sandiford-Artest (born Ronald William Artest Jr., November 13, 1979), previously legally named Metta World Peace, is an American former professional basketball player who played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Un ...
album ''My World''.
In 2020 Capone released collaborative album entitled "Guidelines" with one half of the Dogg Pound
Daz Dillinger
Delmar Drew Arnaud (born May 25, 1973), known professionally as Daz Dillinger or simply Daz (formerly Dat Nigga Daz), is an American rapper and record producer. As a member of Death Row Records in the early 1990s, he is credited with the label ...
under
Empire Distribution
Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an independent American record label, distribution and publishing company founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, ...
Personal life
Holley is of Haitian descent.
Discography
Studio albums
Video games
* ''
Def Jam Vendetta'' (2003) as himself
* ''
Def Jam: Fight for NY'' (2004) as himself
* ''
Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover'' (2006) as himself
References
{{Authority control
1976 births
Living people
African-American male rappers
20th-century American male rappers
American rappers of Haitian descent
American prisoners and detainees
American shooting survivors
East Coast hip-hop musicians
Rappers from Queens, New York
Gangsta rappers
21st-century American rappers
21st-century American male musicians