Queens icon N.O.R.E. (previously known as Noreaga) hit the scene in the mid-'90s with Capone, dropping ultra-thugged-out singles and their much-loved debut album, The War Report. Since then, he's probably been best known for post-millennial hit singles like "Nothin'" and the reggaeton smash "Oye Mi Canto." Scared Money is a new EP to hold over fans until his next full-length, S.U.P.E.R.T.H.U.G., and it finds the Lefrak representative enlisting big-name homies to assist in his grimy hood tales. Longtime collaborator Pharrell shows up on the wildly catchy "Finito" (also featuring Lil Wayne) and the freaky percussion jam "Like the Way." The explosive anthem "Electrolytes" brings together the unlikely but dope combination of Macy Gray, DMX, and Bob James' well-worn sample fodder "Take Me to the Mardi Gras." Another guest is Cory Gunz, while Pusha T with Meek Mill show up on the head-cracking title track. But as usual, it's N.O.R.E. himself who steals the show with his signature blend of flagrant criminology and bugged-out humor.