Napoleon (rapper)
Napoleon | |
|---|---|
| File:Napoleon pic.jpg Mutah Beale (Napoleon) as a member of the Outlawz in 1996 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale |
| Born | October 7, 1977 |
| Origin | Irvington, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, motivational speaker |
| Years active | 1994–2005 (rapping) 2005–present (as motivational speaker) |
| Labels | Outlaw Recordz, Death Row Records |
| Associated acts | Makaveli, Outlawz, Johnny "J", Tha Dogg Pound, Scarface |
| Website | www |
Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale (born 7 October 1977), better known by his stage name Napoleon, is a former rapper and member of the Outlawz. In 2001, he converted to Islam and later quit his hip hop career four years later, describing the two as "incompatible". Beale is now a motivational speaker.[1]
Early life[edit]
Beale grew up in Newark, New Jersey.[2] 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.[3]
Career[edit]
Napoleon was a member of the Outlawz (originally "Dramacydal", subsequently "tha Outlaw Immortalz"), a hip hop group founded by rapper Tupac Shakur 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 Makiaveli album.[4] 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 in 2000. Napoleon also appeared on their next two albums, Novakane (2001) and Neva Surrenda (2002). In 2006 Napoleon released his only solo album Loyalty Over Money.[5]
Conversion to Islam[edit]
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.[6] 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".
Recent activities[edit]
In 2008, he and his brother owned a barbershop in Studio City, Los Angeles. In 2014 he was co-owner of a coffee shop in Riyadh.[7]
Studio albums[edit]
- With Outlawz
- Still I Rise (1999)
- Ride Wit Us or Collide Wit Us (2000)
- Novakane (2001)
- Neva Surrenda (2002)
- List of 2Pac albums below that Mutah "Napoleon" Beale appeared on
- Me Against The World - "Outlaw"
- All Eyez On Me - "Tradin' War Stories", "When We Ride", "Thug Passion", "Run Tha Streetz"
- The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - "Life of an Outlaw"
- R U Still Down? (Remember Me) - "Enemies With Me"
- Until The End Of Time - "Breathin'", "All Out", "World Wide Mob Figgaz", "U Don't Have 2 Worry", "LastOnesLeft"
- Better Dayz - "Fuck 'Em All", "Fame", "Catchin' Feelins", "This Life I Lead", "They Don't Give A Fuck About Us"
- Soundtracks
- Supercop - "Made Niggaz"
- Gang Related - "Made Niggaz", "What's Ya Fantasy?"
Filmography[edit]
- Thug Life (2001)
- Outlawz: Worldwide (DVD) (2002)
- Tupac: Assassination (2007)
References[edit]
- ↑ Mona Moussly (2009) "Hip hop don't stop as it goes Islamic", Al Arabiya News Channel, March 19, 2009
- ↑ "A Rapper's Spiritual Journey". February 8, 2003.
- ↑ "3 Slain in Jersey Apartment". The New York Times. March 22, 1981. Retrieved November 09, 2021. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Outlawz | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ↑ "Napoleon Presents Loyalty over Money - Napoleon | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".
- ↑ "A Rapper's Spiritual Journey". Los Angeles Times. February 8, 2003. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ↑ Saeed, Saeed (March 19, 2014). "Former Outlawz rapper opens coffee shop in Saudi Arabia". The National. Retrieved 09 November 2021. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help)
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Napoleon discography at Discogs
- MW Cafe website
- Musical artist
- 1977 births
- African-American male rappers
- Converts to Islam
- Death Row Records artists
- Gangsta rappers
- Outlawz members
- African-American Muslims
- American people of Puerto Rican descent
- American expatriates in Saudi Arabia
- American Muslim activists
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American motivational speakers
