‘N.O.R.E.’ is the debut studio album by #Noreaga, released on July 7, 1998, via Penalty Recordings. The project made a strong commercial impact, debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200 and claiming the #1 spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with 165,000 first-week sales. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on September 15, 1998, for surpassing 500,000 units sold. Fueled by the breakout hit “Superthug,” which peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart, N.O.R.E. helped solidify Noreaga’s place in late ‘90s hip-hop and introduced listeners to the futuristic sound of production duo The Neptunes.