Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale (born October 7, 1977), better known as Napoleon, is an American former rapper of

Tupac Tupac Amaru Shakur (; born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all tim ...

's rap group

Outlawz Outlawz was an American hip-hop group founded by Tupac Shakur and Yafeu Fula in 1995. Originally known as Thoro Headz and Young Thugs, the group attracted attention with their appearance on Tupac's song "Flex", which was the B-side of his singl ...

. He has since converted to

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

and is now a motivational speaker.Mona Moussly (2009)
Hip hop don't stop as it goes Islamic
, Al Arabiya News Channel, March 19, 2009

Early life

Beale grew up in

Irvington, New Jersey Irvington is a Township (New Jersey), township in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 61,176, an increase of 7,250 (+13.4%) from the 2010 Uni ...

. He was raised by his Christian grandmother after his Muslim parents were murdered in their home in front of him in “an ‘execution-style’ slaying” when he was three.

Career

Napoleon was a member of the

(originally "Dramacydal", subsequently "tha Outlaw Immortalz"), a hip hop group founded by rapper

Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur (; born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all tim ...

in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison. Collectively, they were best known for their association with Shakur, coming to prominence by appearing on his

Makaveli Tupac Amaru Shakur (; born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all tim ...

album. After Shakur's death in 1996, the group were co-billed on the posthumous album '' Still I Rise'', and released their first album, ''

Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us ''Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us'' is the debut album by rap group Outlawz, excluding their collaborative '' Still I Rise'' with 2Pac Tupac Amaru Shakur (; born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by hi ...

'' in 2000. Napoleon also appeared on their next two albums, ''

Novakane ''Novakane'' is the third studio album by American hip-hop group the Outlawz. It was released on October 23, 2001, through Outlaw Recordz with distribution via Koch Entertainment. Production was handled by Reefologist Da Street Criminologist, ...

'' (2001) and ''

Neva Surrenda ''Neva Surrenda'' is the third studio album by hip hop group Outlawz. It was released on October 22, 2002 on Outlaw Recordz Outlawz was an American hip-hop group founded by Tupac Shakur and Yafeu Fula in 1995. Originally known as Thoro Head ...

'' (2002). In 2006, Napoleon released his only solo album ''Loyalty Over Money''.

Conversion to Islam

In 2001, a Muslim record producer, impressed by Napoleon's potential as a leader, motivated him to embrace Islam and forsake his former use of alcohol and drugs. Beale considers hip hop and Islam to be incompatible, because "they basically call for two different things" and that even if the song's message is positive, "if it is not according to the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Muhammad, then it is unacceptable".

Personal life

He married an Eritrean woman with whom he has three children. As of 2003, he and his brother owned a barbershop in

Studio City, Los Angeles Studio City is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, United States, in the southeast San Fernando Valley, just west of the Cahuenga Pass. It is named after the studio lot that was established in the area by film producer Mack Sennett in ...

. He is also a co-owner of 4 restaurants and a cafe in

Riyadh Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the Riyadh Governorate. Located on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa, the current form of the metropolis largely emerged in th ...

Filmography

* '' Thug Life'' (2001) * ''Outlawz: Worldwide'' (DVD) (2002) * '' Tupac: Assassination'' (2007)

References

External links

*
MW Cafe website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Napoleon 1977 births Living people African-American male rappers 21st-century American male rappers Rappers from New Jersey Converts to Islam Death Row Records artists Gangsta rappers Outlawz members African-American Muslims American musicians of Puerto Rican descent American expatriates in Saudi Arabia American Muslim activists 21st-century American rappers 21st-century American male musicians American motivational speakers Muslims from New Jersey