Napoleon (rapper)

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]

Napoleon
Mutah Beale (Napoleon) as a member of the Outlawz
Background information
Birth nameMutah Wassin Shabazz Beale
Born (1977-10-07) October 7, 1977
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

Early life

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][2]

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 his only solo 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

In 2008, he and his brother owned a barbershop in Studio City, Los Angeles.[2] In 2014 he was co-owner of a coffee shop in Riyadh.[7]

Discography
Main article: Napoleon discography

Studio albums
With Outlawz
List of 2Pac albums below that Mutah "Napoleon" Beale appeared on
Soundtracks

Filmography

References
  1. Mona Moussly (2009) "Hip hop don't stop as it goes Islamic", Al Arabiya News Channel, March 19, 2009
  2. "A Rapper's Spiritual Journey". February 8, 2003.
  3. "3 Slain in Jersey Apartment". The New York Times. March 22, 1981.
  4. "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. Saeed, Saeed (March 19, 2014). "Former Outlawz rapper opens coffee shop in Saudi Arabia". The National. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
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