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Napoleon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale (1977-10-07)October 7, 1977 (age 48) |
| Origin | Irvington, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, Politician motivational speaker |
| Years active | 1994–2005 (rapping) 2005–present (as motivational speaker) |
| Labels | Outlaw,Death Row |
| Formerly of | Outlawz |
Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale (born October 7, 1977), better known asNapoleon, is an American former rapper ofTupac's rap groupOutlawz. He has since converted toIslam and is now a motivational speaker.[1]
Beale grew up inIrvington, 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.[2][3][4]
Napoleon was a member of theOutlawz (originally "Dramacydal", subsequently "tha Outlaw Immortalz"), a hip hop group founded by rapperTupac Shakur in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison.[5] Collectively, they were best known for their association with Shakur, coming to prominence by appearing on hisMakaveli album.[6] After Shakur's death in 1996, the group were co-billed on the posthumous albumStill 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) andNeva Surrenda (2002).[6] In 2006, Napoleon released his only solo albumLoyalty Over Money.[7]
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.[2] 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]
He married a Yemeni woman with whom he has three children.[8] As of 2003, he and his brother owned a barbershop inStudio City, Los Angeles.[2] He is also a co-owner of 4 restaurants and a cafe inRiyadh.[9][10]
