Capone-N-Noreaga released their first single “Illegal Life” featuring Mobb Deep’s Havoc in 1996 after signing to Neil Levine’s Penalty Recordings. The record laid the groundwork for N.O.R.E. and Capone to drop their debut studio album the following year. However, Capone was locked up after violating his parole, which led Noreaga to finish the project himself. Comprised of 20 songs, The War Report was released in 1997 and contains features from Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Iman THUG, Troy Outlaw and frequent collaborator Tragedy Khadafi (who appears on more than half of the project), among several others. The album boasts singles like “L.A., L.A.,” which serves as a direct response to Snoop Dogg’s “New York, New York,” as well as records like “T.O.N.Y. (Top Of New York)” and “Driver’s Seat.” Widely considered a street classic by fans and critics alike, the project was pivotal for the music scene in Queens and still remains a cult favorite 25 years later.