N.O.R.E. & Capone Change Channels, CNN Breaks Up

New York rapper N.O.R.E. has formally announced the end of rap duo CNN (fronted alongside fellow Queens lyricist Capone), but promised that their separation does not affect their friendship.

N.O.R.E. said the lack of passion and energy to collaborate on another joint project motivated his decision.

"I'm not making another war report album or another N.O.R.E ALBUM IMMA MAKE THE 1st S.U.P.E.R.T.H.U.G album cause that what's good for now...Diddy my homey can't and would never diss him but he was known for anthems and hits it's safe to say Khaled has been upholding that area...CNN was a great group...Time has changed I must move on...Doesn't it hurt to watch a boxer still box when he's heart isn't in it that's what the group feels like right now...Ok I've said way too much have no more to say I'll hit u after the gym salute" [sic] (57th Ave)

He also hopped on Twitter to remind fans  that Capone remains a close friend.

"We still homeys brothers family just we both need to do something different musically!!!," N.O.R.E. tweeted June 9th. (N.O.R.E.'s Twitter)

Last year, N.O.R.E. and Capone joined Raekwon's Ice Water record label to drop their The War Report 2 album.

"I want everybody to be clear. Its not that we signed as artists. The deal is structured, (Thug) Militainment / Ice Water, through EMI," he explained in an interview. "We're business partners, as opposed to artists. I don't want people to get it confused. 50/50 partners. We figured lets merge so for this particular project, Militainment / Ice Water merger. Yeah, [just for War Report 2]...We figured why not? We were always cool and they had success in what they did. Me personally, I don't really understand this independent game. I haven't had much success independent that I had with a major." (All Hip Hop)

The joint album debuted in July 2010 and just missed Top 100 on the sales chart.

Rounding things up in Sales Wrap this week is Capone-N-Nore's War Report 2 which debuted at No. 104. After seven days in the books, the New York duo's new album has sold 4,700 records. (SOHH Sales Wrap)