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AZ


of Hip-Hop/Rap
A.k.a. Anthony Cruz Anthony Cruz (3)

Brooklyn, NY rapper, of Dominican descent who got to make his apperance as the only guest rapper on Nas' classic album 'Illmatic' on the song "Life's A Bitch" in 1994. AZ cut his own album a year later, Doe or Die, but due to lack of promotion, the album didn't do as well as other established artists such as Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" or Jay-Z's debut, "Reasonable Doubt," even though it is considered just as classic as those albums. It was followed by the sophmore slump 'Pieces of a Man.' It was on par, lyrically, but the beats, mostly handled by the Trackmasters, didn't come through for AZ. Since his album flopped, he left Noo Trybe and in late 1999 early 2000, he released an independent album SOSA (Save Our Streets AZ). Motown (yes the R&B label) heard his album and was interested in releasing it commercially and decided to give AZ a record contract. He was supposed to carry them as a serious rap label, but again, due to promotion, his album, 9 Lives, didn't sell as well as he'd liked, though it was critically acclaimed and touched on all aspects, lyricaly and musically. His follow up in 2001, Aziatic, sold a few more albums than 9 Lives and is just as great an album as Doe or Die and 9 Lives. AZ has since left Motown and is rumored to be making an independent album with Nas which is supposed to be titled "Alpha/Omega." Only the future will tell.

     
Popular Tracks   
The Format on The Format by AZ
New Life on Pieces Of A Man by AZ
Sugar Hill on Doe Or Die by AZ
Sosa on Pieces Of A Man by AZ
Phone Tap on The Album by The Firm
Rather Unique on Doe Or Die by AZ
Problems on 9 Lives by AZ
How Ya Livin' featuring Nas on Pieces Of A Man by AZ
Found My Niche on Doe or Die II by AZ
Gimme Your's on Doe Or Die by AZ

Track list and 30sec audio provided by

Discography


Title Artist Year Type
Legacy - Freestyles & Feature EditionAZ2019Album
Save ThemAZ, Raekwon, Prodigy2018Single
Esco & SosaNas & AZ2010Album
Doe Or Die 15th AnniversaryAZ2010Album
LegendaryAZ2009Album
G.O.D. (Gold Oil And Diamonds)AZ2009Album
Undeniable / FireAZ2008Single
N4LAZ2008Album
UndeniableAZ2008Album
Anthology: B-Sides & UnreleasedAZ2008Compil.
Final Call: The Lost TapesAZ2008Album
Life On The LineAZ2007Single
Ghetto PassAZ Presents Begetz2007Album
Memphis Sessions The RemixtapeAZ2007Album
Executive DecisionsMick Boogie Presents Nas & AZ2006Album
Sit 'Em Back Slow / This Is What I Do / Game Of LifeAZ2006Album
The Format / VendettaAZ2006Album
The FormatAZ2006Album
Still Alive / New YorkAZ2005Album
AZ's Chillin / Never ChangeAZ2005Album
Serious / Live WireAZ2005Album
A.W.O.LAZ2005Album
The Come Up / Magic HourAZ2005Album
The Come Up / Gangsta ShitAZ / Tony Touch2005Album
Decade 1994-2004AZ2004Compil.
Feel GoodAZ2003Album
Special EditionAZ2002Album
Aziatic - Special EditionAZ2002Album
I'm BackAZ2002Single
AziaticAZ2002Album
Take It OffAZ2002Single
Your World Don't Stop / Break A Bitch NeckAZ / Akinyele2002Album
9 LivesAZ2001Album
ProblemsAZ2001Album
AZ´s BackAZ2001Album
Everything’s EverythingAZ feat. Joe2001Single
Don't You... / It's WarKurupt / AZ1999Album
Let's Live / Killer InstinctAZ / Cormega / The Union / Animal1999Album
Organized Rhymes Volume 2O.C. / King Tee / AZ1999Album
Betcha Don't KnowAZ1998Album
Groove OnHalf-A-Mill Featuring AZ1998Single
Organized RhymesAZ, Half-A-Mill & Animal / The Union1998Album
Hey AZ / What's The DealAZ1998Single
What's The DealAZ1998Album
Pieces Of A ManAZ1998Album
Hey AZAZ Featuring SWV1997Single
A + ZA+ Featuring AZ1996Single
Doe Or DieAZ1996Album
Sugarhill / Real Niggaz Do Real Things / GlaciersAZ / Notorious B.I.G. / Raekwon1996Compil.
Doe Or DieAZ1995Album
Sugar HillAZ1995Single
Gimme YoursAZ1995Album
It's WarAZAlbum
If You Want ItAZAlbum
The Hardest / Make It Clap / I Won't TellAZ / Snoop Dogg / Fat JoeAlbum
The Album Sampler For DJ'sAZAlbum
External Links
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Acknowledgements
To all the music fans that are contributing on Discogs, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia. Thanks to Franz Flückiger for providing Storygram used to visualize band membership.
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