Napoleon (rapper)

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Napoleon
Mutah Beale (Napoleon) as a member of the Outlawz in 1996
Mutah Beale (Napoleon) as a member of the Outlawz in 1996
Background information
Birth nameMutah Wassin Shabazz Beale
Born (1977-10-07) October 7, 1977 (age 43)
OriginIrvington, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, motivational speaker
Years active1994–2005 (rapping)
2005–present (as motivational speaker)
LabelsOutlaw Recordz, Death Row Records
Associated actsMakaveli, Outlawz, Johnny J Tha Dogg Pound, Scarface,
Websitewww.lifeofanoutlaw.com

Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale (born October 7, 1977), better known as Napoleon, is a former member of Tupac's rap group Outlawz. Beale has since converted to Islam and is now a motivational speaker.[1]

Early life[]

Beale was born in Newark, New Jersey. His father Laurence Beale and his mother Elisha, were both converts to Islam, taking the names Salek and Aquilah Shabazz. When he was three-years-old, his parents were murdered in his home while he and his siblings were there.[2] He and his siblings were raised by his Christian grandmother.[3]

Career[]

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).[4] In 2006, Napoleon released the album Loyalty Over Money.[5]

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.[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".[1]

Recent activities[]

It was announced that a documentary on Beale's life and work was being undertaken, titled Napoleon: Life of an Outlaw.[7] In 2008, he and his brother owned a barber shop/ salon, "Platinum Kutz", in Studio City, Los Angeles.[3]

Now residing in Saudi Arabia, Mutah is involved in different fields of business.[8] His latest business venture is MW Cafe, a coffee brand he is building with the first location in Ras Al-Khaimah.[9]

Discography[]

Main article: Napoleon discography

Studio albums[]

With Outlawz
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"
  • Still I Rise - "Still I Rise", "As The World Turns", "The Good Die Young", "Teardrops and Closed Caskets", "Tattoo Tears", "U Can Be Touched", "Y'all Don't Know Us"
  • 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

Filmography[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Mona Moussly (2009) "Hip hop don't stop as it goes Islamic", Al Arabiya News Channel, March 19, 2009
  2. ^ "3 Slain in Jersey Apartment". The New York Times. March 22, 1981.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "A Rapper's Spiritual Journey". February 8, 2003.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Outlawz | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "Napoleon Presents Loyalty over Money - Napoleon | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".
  6. ^ "A Rapper's Spiritual Journey". Los Angeles Times. February 8, 2003. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "Mutah "Napoleon" Beale". Facebook.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Saeed, Saeed (March 19, 2014). "Former Outlawz rapper opens coffee shop in Saudi Arabia". The National. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. ^ "MW Cafe". Mwcafe.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.

External links[]

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